Bradfield recount: Liberals poised to lose blue ribbon Sydney seat to teal independent Nicolette Boele
The Liberals have lost a blue ribbon federal seat following the nail biter recount of Bradfield on Sydney’s north shore.
Breaking News
Don't miss out on the headlines from Breaking News. Followed categories will be added to My News.
The Liberals have lost the blue ribbon seat of Bradfield to teal independent Nicolette Boele following a closely watched recount, with the NSW Liberal Party considering legal challenge with the High Court.
Gladys Berejiklian-backed candidate Gisele Kapterian trailed Climate 200-backed independent Ms Boele by 26 votes, despite winning the first count by eight votes, triggering an automatic recount.
The recount involved a complete new count of all first preference votes, the two-candidate preferred count and preference distributions and a re-examination of all informal votes, the AEC said.
The difference in votes were largely down to previously informal ballots being allowed back into the count, which the electoral body said was “historically … not uncommon in a recount”.
“As evidenced in previous elections, it is very common in tight contests and recounts for further rulings to be made on ballot paper formality,” the AEC said.
“During a recount, each individual ballot paper is very closely scrutinised by AEC counting staff with challenges made from candidate-appointed scrutineers for both leading candidates.”
Ms Boele said she was “incredibly honoured” for the win and commended Ms Kapterian “for the civility she’s shown as a candidate during this close contest”.
“After 75 years, Bradfield’s longstanding hold by one party has changed,” she said in a statement.
“We have chosen a new path – one that puts people above parties.
“I do not take this responsibility lightly. As Bradfield’s first independent member of parliament, I’m dedicated to serving this community with integrity, courage and care.”
Ms Kapterian also thanked AEC officials and her volunteers, adding that “I have witnessed the same dedication from Nicolette and her team”.
“This recount has created a different result – while I was ahead at the conclusion of the original count, Ms Boele is now ahead after this recount,” she said.
The seat was previously held by former Morrison-era minister Paul Fletcher who retired at the last election.
It’s understood the NSW Liberal Party is now considering a legal challenge in the Court of Disputed Returns, where a successful application would declare the result void, triggering a by-election.
A Liberal source said considerations for the legal challenge was based on the fact that the 170 votes which had shifted from being declared informal to formal was more than six times the 26-vote margin seperating Ms Kapterian and Ms Boele.
They also noted that a different total number of votes had changed between the first and second count, and that the two counts produced different results, with both the eight and 26 vote difference making up less than 0.02 per cent of the total ballots cast in Bradfield.
Sussan Ley had also previously awarded the former Salesforce executive the shadow assistant portfolios for communications, technology and the digital economy, however Ms Kapterian’s loss would result in a minor reshuffle.
Originally published as Bradfield recount: Liberals poised to lose blue ribbon Sydney seat to teal independent Nicolette Boele
Alleged Maccas bomb hoaxer fronts court
A man who allegedly organised a bomb hoax at a McDonald’s restaurant has appeared in court for the first time.
Read more
Big update after kids killed on jumping castle
The families of six kids killed when a jumping castle at their school was lifted into the air are awaiting a major court judgment 1268 days after the tragedy.
Read more