Liberal Tim Wilson 'at ease' as AEC mandates partial recount in Goldstein

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The election race for the Melbourne seat of Goldstein is heading to a partial recount, after its outgoing independent MP Zoe Daniel requested the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) to conduct a full recount of votes.

Daniel lost her seat of Goldstein to Liberal Party’s Tim Wilson by 260 votes, after a full preference count.

The AEC declined the request for a full recount and will instead start a limited partial recount on Wednesday.

The partial recount is expected to take up to four days, the AEC said on Monday.

Daniel confirmed she had asked for a full recount, based on expert advice.

“In light of the very tight margin and several errors picked up in the portion of the count that was included in the distribution of preferences, 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,” Daniel said.

What is a partial recount?

A partial recount will look at all the first preference ballot papers for Wilson and Daniel, as well as all informal ballot papers.

A partial recount is more limited than a full recount, which would require the AEC to complete a full distribution of preferences.

The AEC said a full recount was not necessary in its view.

“We are satisfied that there was a very high degree of rigour throughout the distribution of preferences process,” it said in a statement.

Responding to the news, Wilson, who held the seat before Daniel’s one term, said he looks forward to the conclusion of the partial recount.

“We have been very relaxed about every count and recount to date in Goldstein, as we know the count will deliver the result that reflects the will of the people of Goldstein,” he wrote on X on Monday morning.