While it was clear the Liberals were set to govern in minority weeks ago, the end of the vote count leaves the party with one less seat than expected, making forming government harder.
Despite a swing against it, the Liberal party has likely won the most seats, but will fall short of a majority. While the vote counting will continue, the political fight is now to form government.
Hours into the count in the Tasmanian election, the state can expect a hung parliament. Meanwhile, Labor is succeeding in a South Australian state byelection.
In covering the final days of the Victorian election, mainstream media fell victim to wanting the most dramatic outcome – no matter how weak the evidence for it may have been.
Since the advent of the two-party preferred system, there have been two examples of parties governing effectively in minority, and with the support of independents.
In 1922-23, Billy Hughes’ Nationalist Party brokered a deal with the Country Party to form government - but only on condition Hughes was no longer prime minister. It’s possible this could play out again.
After election night reports of a thumping win in by independent Kerryn Phelps, the Liberals have recovered significantly in postal votes - so much so, the result is now uncertain.A
UK voters delivered a devastating blow to the prime minister, who combined a populist message with her party’s traditional economic policies. She may now face a power struggle.
The political and fiscal vice in which Malcolm Turnbull is now caught was neatly illustrated by a coincidence of timing in these early post-election days.
Malcolm Turnbull is struggling to produce the right response in the aftermath of his election debacle. On Saturday he did not take on any blame and lashed out at Labor’s “Mediscare” tactic. On Tuesday…
Malcolm Turnbull has taken ‘absolutely full responsibility’ for his criticised election campaign, and declared the Coalition must rebuild public trust in itself on the issue of Medicare.