Share this @internewscast.com

Independent Nicolette Boele has dashed the Liberals’ hopes of another lower house seat, winning the Sydney seat of Bradfield by a tiny margin four weeks after the election.
It’s the last House of Representatives seat to be finalised, not affecting either of the major parties’ results, with Labor securing 94 seats to the Coalition’s 43.
The Sydney north shore seat race has been a rollercoaster ride, with several lead changes between Boele and Liberal candidate Gisele Kapterian.

Following Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) guidelines for constituencies with margins of under 100 votes, Bradfield proceeded to a recount, with Katperian holding a slim lead of eight votes.

On Wednesday afternoon, the AEC announced Boele had won the seat by 26 votes, ending the Liberal Party’s 76-year hold on the seat.
The AEC said the recount was conducted in front of candidate-appointed scrutineers and included a new count of all first preferences, a re-examination of all informal votes, a complete recount of the two-candidate preferred count and full distribution of all preferences.
The AEC found two instances of people voting twice, but were satisfied these were “inadvertent and not deliberate”.
Kapterian thanked the AEC officials who undertook the recount, noting it had “created a different result” from the original count.

“I will now carefully review the two counts,” she said in a statement on Wednesday afternoon.

Could there be a second election?

To contest the result, a petition must be filed with the Court of Disputed Returns within 40 days of the writ being returned.

The relevant candidate or party would need to plead their case to the court and cast sufficient doubt that the result was affected.

Scrutineers present throughout the recount could be taking notes on disputed papers or discrepancies, although there is no evidence so far to suggest that any impropriety occurred during the count.
Election analyst Ben Raue told SBS News a Liberal challenge of the result is unlikely given the margin.
“I suspect the Liberals might decide not to go ahead with it,” he said.

“At one stage during the initial tally, the margin was even tighter, fluctuating between two, three, or just a single vote … in such a case, it would have almost certainly been escalated to the court for resolution.”

Raue said there wasn’t much precedent for election results being taken to court. He pointed to the 2007 dispute in the Victorian seat of McEwen as the most recent example.
“That court case was launched when the Liberals were only leading by 12 votes,” he said. The Liberal Party ultimately won the case and increased its margin.
In 2016, Labor’s Cathy O’Toole won the Queensland seat of Herbert by a mere 37 votes, although a challenge to the court was not issued.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like

Michael Madsen, acclaimed for roles in Reservoir Dogs and Kill Bill, passes away at 67

American actor Michael Madsen, who appeared in dozens of films including Reservoir…
Ozempic-style drug could be used to treat migraines, research finds

Research Suggests Ozempic-Like Drug May Help Treat Migraines

Recent research indicates that a drug similar to Ozempic might hold the…
Joshua Brown, 26, was arrested on May 12.

“Demand for Nationwide Action Following Alleged Childcare Sexual Assaults”

Several Australian states have started to assess and reform their childcare sectors…
A NASA diagram shows the trajectory of 3I/ATLAS as it passes through the solar system.

Astronomers Observe an Interstellar Object Passing Through Our Solar System

A newly identified object racing through our solar system is causing much…
Shirley-Anne Gardiner (centre) with other Momentum Mental Health staff members.

Concerns Arise for At-Risk Australians as Mental Health Provider Faces Uncertainty Due to New Hub Initiative

More than 800 vulnerable Australians are “in limbo” as the mental health…
More than 200 firefighters are struggling to tackle an out-of-control wildfire on Crete — Greece's largest island and a tourist hotspot — as authorities order mass evacuations.

Raging Wildfires in a Popular Greek Tourist Destination Lead to Mass Evacuations

Over 200 firefighters are battling an uncontrollable wildfire on Crete, Greece’s largest…
Michael Madsen, 'Reservoir Dogs' and 'Kill Bill' star, dies at 67

Michael Madsen, star of ‘Reservoir Dogs’ and ‘Kill Bill’, passes away at 67

Michael Madsen, whose menacing characters in “Reservoir Dogs” and “Kill Bill” made…

Liverpool’s Forward Diogo Jota Tragically Killed in Spanish Car Accident

Liverpool’s Portuguese forward Diogo Jota and his brother Andre Silva died in…
New Zealand sports reporter Tiffany Salmond has opened up on why she has not been seen on Fox Sports' NRL coverage this season

TV sports reporter alleges she’s been shunned by networks plotting against her.

New Zealand sports reporter Tiffany Salmond has claimed she has been ‘sidelined’…

Trump ‘eager’ to meet Albanese, Wong reveals, following discussions with US chief diplomat

United States President Donald Trump is still “keen” to meet with Prime…
An elephant at South Luangwa National Park, Zambia.

Tragic Incident: Elephant Claims Lives of British and New Zealand Tourists

Two elderly female tourists in Zambia have been killed by an elephant…
Wild orcas have been seen approaching humans who have been in boats and even standing on shore with an offering between their jaws

Researchers intrigued by orcas reportedly offering gifts to humans in unexpected displays of ‘kindness’ worldwide

Scientists have been left baffled after orcas were spotted giving gifts to…