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David Tanner is the night editor of The Australian and a data journalist, writing across elections, the economy, weather and other data-related topics. David has worked at The Australian for more than 30 years.

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ELECTION 2025Politics

Liberals Josh Frydenberg, Peter Dutton, Michael Sukkar, Trevor Evans, Luke Howarth and David Coleman, who have all been denied seats in parliament due to preferences.

Preferences oust half a Liberal ministry of talent

Opposition Leader Sussan Ley could be forgiven for staring forlornly at the long list of frontbench-quality Liberals who have fallen out of parliament because of the nation’s preferential voting system.

David Tanner

Election analysisPolitics

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA : NewsWire Photos- AUGUST 28 2024; Tanya Plibersek MP Ã Minister for the Environment and Water is seen arriving at the Newscorp Publishing Site in Sydney, ahead of a tour through the facility, recognising News Publishing media industry for recycling leadership. Picture: NewsWire / Gaye Gerard

Plibersek scores a win over the PM

Tanya Plibersek may have lost her prized portfolio in Anthony Albanese’s new-look ministry but she can claim bragging rights over her old rival, and every other MP in the country.

David Tanner

EXCLUSIVEPolitics

Kara Cook with her husband Joshua and their children Eden, 9, Arlo, 3, and Rita, 7, (and dog Milton). Photo: Renae Droop/RDW Photography

The family seats Libs lost over work from home

Peter Dutton made a fatal mistake at the federal election, costing him and the Liberal Party a slew of seats in the nation’s crucial outer-suburban ‘family zone’.

David Tanner and Sarah Elks

Election 2025Nation

NCA 2025 FEDERAL ELECTION Labor BUS. DAY 5 02/04/2025 Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on the campaign trail In Victoria. Australian Labor Prime Minister Anthony Albanese visits Goodstart Early Learning in Croydon, Melbourne. Along with Labor candidate for Deakin Matt Gregg (red striped tie), Minister Murray Watt. Reading a book called the Bookshop Mice. Picture: Jason Edwards / NewsWire

Liberals missed all of their main campaign targets

Anthony Albanese made more visits than Peter Dutton to 11 of the 12 seats that Labor picked up from the Liberal Party.

David Tanner

Politics NowPolitics

Tim Wilson reclaims Goldstein as Libs edge ahead in WA seat

Wilson is close to an official call in his tussle with teal Zoe Daniel, as Greens leader Adam Bandt risks losing in Melbourne. The Liberal Party has taken a 44-vote lead in a newly created seat.

Jack Quail, David Tanner, Damon Johnston and Greg Brown

Election 2025Nation

BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA. NewsWire Photos. APRIL 24 , 2025. Greens Leader Adam Bandt with influencer Abbie Chatfield before he DJÃs at The Brightside in Fortitude Valley. Picture: NewsWire/ Glenn Campbell

Defiant Bandt denies Gaza played a part in Greens vote

Adam Bandt has denied his hardline Gaza stance cost him votes and, despite lower-house losses, vowed to use the Greens’ Senate power to shape the ‘most progressive parliament’.

Mohammad Alfares, James Dowling and David Tanner

SURPRISESNation

BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 29: Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese holds a supporters baby alongside Labor candidate for Bonner, Kara Cook during a visit to a pre-polling booth in the suburb of Wynnum on April 29, 2025 in Brisbane, Australia. Australia will hold a federal election on May 3. (Photo by Asanka Ratnayake/Getty Images)

Where Labor struck crucial blows for historic victory

Labor barely won the primary votes of one in three Australians – but its victory ranks as one of the biggest election triumphs in Australian history.

David Tanner

Campaign trailPolitics

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese visiting Labor candidate for Dickson Ali France and volunteers at her office in Strathpine, Queensland. 2 May 2025. Picture: Tara Croser.

Albanese turns Dutton’s seat into a poll hot zone

Peter Dutton’s seat of Dickson has been one of Anthony Albanese’s top targets during the 2025 election campaign.

David Tanner

EXCLUSIVEPolitics

Albanese, Wong dine with CCP friends

Labor has courted Beijing-backed property developers and senior figures in the Chinese Communist Party’s foreign influence arm in a pre-election push for donations and votes in key seats.

Ben Packham and David Tanner

exclusiveNation

NCA 2025 FEDERAL ELECTION BUS. 28/04/2025 Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese Picture: Jason Edwards / NewsWire Australian Labor Prime Minister Anthony Albanese visits Pacific Link Housing, a community housing provider in Gosford on the Central Coast, in the electorate of Robertson. Joined by Jodie Haydon Minister for Health Mark Butler Minister for Human Services Amanda Rishworth Member for Dobell Emma McBride Member for Robertson Dr Gordon Reid Senator Deborah ONeill Picture: Jason Edwards / NewsWire

Leader a week out has an impeccable record

Every government that has held a two-party-preferred lead in Newspoll one week before polling day has gone on to win the election.

David Tanner

Original URL: https://www.theaustralian.com.au/author/david-tanner/page/3