Teals on track to return to parliament as Nicolette Boele looks set to take Bradfield
Teal independents are on track to retain their numbers in the federal parliament, with Climate 200-backed Nicolette Boele appearing set to join them in parliament.
Teal independents are on track to retain their numbers in the federal parliament, with Climate 200-backed candidate for Bradfield, Nicolette Boele, ahead in the vote count.
Kooyong independent Monique Ryan and Goldstein independent Zoe Daniel both claimed victory in their setas, while Allegra Spender, Sophie Scamps, Kate Chaney and Zali Steggall were ahead of their Liberal challengers with counting still underway on Saturday night, in a major blow to the Coalition.
The community independents faced tough electoral races to retain their seats against Liberal challengers determined to regain the once-blue ribbon seats, after five more teals joined Ms Steggall in the parliament in 2022.
Several hours into the tally, Ms Chaney pulled ahead in the tight race with Liberal candidate Tom White to win the WA seat of Curtin, with early counting showing the independent had won 57 per cent of the vote, compared to 43 per cent.
Ms Boele is leading Liberal candidate Gisele Kapterian in what is shaping up to be a tight contest, with 52 per cent of the vote. Ms Kapterian, who won preselection for the north Sydney seat after Liberal MP Paul Fletcher resigned ahead of the election, is on 48 per cent.
Ms Steggall, who is in the lead in Warringah on 63 per cent of the vote count, said she would continue to scrutinise bills in the same manner as she had since she defeated former prime minister Tony Abbott in 2019. Liberal candidate Jaimee Rogers is trailing with 37 per cent.
With Labor on track to win a majority on Saturday night, Ms Steggall said the crossbench would still have the power to influence parliament.
“I’ve already been in parliament for two terms, and both times it has been a majority government and what we have been able to do is build the social license for the areas of policy where change is needed,” Ms Steggall told the ABC.
“In particular around climate risk and legislating net zero by 2050, for example.
“When Australians want to see these big issues addressed. Traditionally the major parties are less politically courageous.
“They feel more hamstrung but I think we are crossbench, myself and others create the space and give a voice to communities around change.
Monique Ryan claims victory
“What an amazing three years,” Dr Ryan told her jubilant supporters at the Auburn Hotel in Kooyong.
“We’re still waiting for some data to come in…. but it seems pretty clear, that despite the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune, this band of brothers has overcome the Brethren.
“I can’t believe the power of this community, I can’t believe what we’ve achieved together.
“Everyone makes mistakes in life, and I and my team have done that at times, but what we have done is that we’ve discovered that with generosity and faith and with the help of people from the community, you can get past those things and you can achieve what you really want to achieve.
“And we’ve been able to, in three years, I think, put together a body of work which has shown the community of Kooyong that it’s worth having independent representation.”
Dr Ryan said it had been a “bruising campaign”.
“It wasn’t… like what it was in 2022. 2022 was joyous and fun. This has been tough,” Dr Ryan said.
“I think as a country, we’re a different country from where we were three years ago and we have some challenges, we have some bridges to rebuild and some things to mend.
“But I think we can do that as a country, and I hope that we can do that in the next three years, because we’ve lost some of the joy that we’ve had, we’ve also lost some of the cohesion that we’ve always enjoyed as a country.”
Dr Ryan thanked her husband Peter Jordan and children, who joined her on stage, as well as her team, supporters and fellow candidates.
Zoe Daniel wins Goldstein Zoe Daniel
Independent MP for Goldstein Zoe Daniel made a grand entrance at Elwood Bowls Club on Saturday night to claim victory over Liberal opponent Tim Wilson.
Ms Daniel strutted through a cheering crowd onto the stage with David Guetta’s ‘Titanium’ blaring through surround speakers.
The teal MP, who has held the seat since 2022, began her address by acknowledging the Bunurong people of the Kulin nation before claiming her victory.
“It’s been a hard campaign team, but in Goldstein, hope wins,” Ms Daniel began.
“I want to say to our children and our young people that everyone in this room has done this for you.
“We have taken a hell of a lot and we have done it to try to create a better future for this country.
“I’m so grateful to everyone who voted for me, thank you.. It is a big exercise in trust and I value that so much. For those who didn’t vote for me, I will strive to represent you as best as I can.
“The Liberal party threw everything at us. Everything. And we are standing here to celebrate.
“We campaigned on truth. We campaigned on honesty. We campaigned with good faith. We didn’t go down into the gutter, we rose above.
“And we might not have a minority government, but I’m pretty sure we can pull some levers.
“This has been incredibly difficult, really hard but we did it.”
In Wentworth, Ms Spender was on track to fend off Liberal candidate Ro Knox, with 63 per cent of voters supporting the independent, compared to 37 per cent for Ms Knox.
Ms Daniel is on track to fight off her predecessor and second-time Liberal challenger Tim Wilson, winning 54 per cent of the votes counted so far. Mr Wilson had claimed 46 per cent early in the evening.
Dr Scamps is on track to retain Mackellar with 57 per cent of votes counted so far backing the independent, with Liberal challenger James Brown trailing behind on 43 per cent.
Dai Le is pulling ahead in Fowler in a tight race against Labor candidate Tu Le, with the independent now sitting on 53 per cent compared to her challenger’s 47 per cent. Le won the once safe Labor seat in 2022, after the ALP parachuted in former NSW Labor premier Kristina Keneally.
Independent Helen Haines is on track to regain Indi, with 58 per cent of the vote counted to her, compared to Liberal James Trenery on 42 per cent.
Andrew Wilkie is also on track to retain Clark, with 70 per cent of votes counted backing him.
Rebekha Sharkie is also in the lead in Mayo, on 66 per cent, over Liberal Zane Basic.
Former National Andrew Gee is in an early comfortable lead in Calare, with 57 per cent of the vote.
More Coverage
‘Foolishly trusted him’: Erin’s anger in child support row
Erin Patterson accused her estranged husband Simon of cutting off school fee payments as 'punishment' after she requested child support.
‘Warm and positive conversation’: PM says of Trump call
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said Donald Trump reached out in a 'positive way' following his landslide election win, after the US President said he didn't know who Peter Dutton was.