Zoe Daniel seeks a Goldstein recount

The MP for the Melbourne seat of Goldstein, Zoe Daniel, is asking for a recount despite trailing the Liberal candidate Tim Wilson by 260 votes.

Staff writers

Goldstein MP Zoe Daniel, above, says ‘I have taken expert advice and asked the AEC to consider whether a full recount is appropriate’. Picture: NewsWire/ Nadir Kinani

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9 hours ago

The teal MP for the Melbourne seat of Goldstein, Zoe Daniel, is asking the Australian Electoral Commission for a recount despite trailing the Liberal candidate Tim Wilson by 260 votes.

Ms Daniel on Saturday cited “very tight margin and several errors” during the distribution of preferences, the Sunday Herald Sun reported.

This was “leading to unusual fluctuations and large numbers of votes moving to and fro in the final stages of the count”.

“I have taken expert advice and asked the AEC to consider whether a full recount is appropriate,” Ms Daniel said.

Zoe Daniel requests recount in seat of Goldstein

“There are also several outstanding questions regarding the broader count which would be resolved by a recount.

“As always I will respect the process and await the commission’s decision.”

Mr Wilson, the former incumbent until defeated by Ms Daniel in 2022, has twice claimed victory, and Ms Daniel also claimed victory prematurely on the night of the May 3 election before a surge in postal votes the week after put Mr Wilson in the lead.

Liberal candidate Tim Wilson declares victory in Goldstein again

Mr Wilson says he has “continually had a majority of votes for nearly three weeks” and it had never fallen below 100 votes, which was the threshold for an automatic recount.

At some point we should respect the professional staff at the AEC. I wish Zoe Daniel, her family & staff well in the next chapter. I hope she finds peace,” Mr Wilson said on X.