Federal Labor MPs David Smith, Andrew Leigh and Alicia Payne joined Senator Katy Gallagher during the election campaign. Photo: Region
9:10 pm: The battle for Bean has taken another turn, with David Smith fighting back with nearly half the vote counted.
The Labor member has increased his vote to just over 40 per cent with the Green vote at 10 per cent.
Independent Jessie Price is at 27.6 per cent and Liberal David Lamerton 21.78.
It is still very tight, but Mr Smith looks like he may have his nose in front, depending on those Green preferences.
Voters queue at Weston Creek Community Centre. Photo: Ian Bushnell.
Labor has won a second term in office, with Anthony Albanese ending the revolving door of prime ministers, becoming the first PM in more than two decades to be reelected after serving a full term.
Opposition Leader Peter Dutton looks set to not only have lost the election for the Coalition, but also his own seat of Dickson in Queensland. The ABC’s political analyst Antony Green called the election for Labor before 8:30 pm.
While the election may be called for Labor, its Member for Bean, David Smith, is in a battle royale with independent Jessie Price, who’s just ahead with Liberal preferences.
With almost 34 per cent of the vote counted, Mr Smith has 39.6 per cent of the vote, Ms Price 28.5 per cent and Mr Lamerton 21.4 per cent. Green Sam Carter is on 10.4 per cent.
With most Liberal preferences to go to Ms Price, it will come down to just how many Green preferences Mr Smith can garner.
Independent ACT Senator David Pocock with his running mate, Hannah Vardy. Photo: supplied
8:30 pm: In the Senate, independent David Pocock looks like he will be returned to the Senate.
He is topping the vote at 1.2 per cent of a quota.
Labor’s Katy Gallagher has almost .9 of quota. Liberal Jacob Vadakkedathu has .46 of a quota, and the Greens .28 of quota.
READ MORE: Bingo! You can be a winner on election night regardless of the outcome
Alicia Payne and former Labor leader Bill Shorten at Maribyrnong Primary this morning. Photo: Lucy Ridge.
8:10 pm: In the seat of Canberra, Labor’s Alicia Payne is, unsurprisingly, well ahead with 48 per cent of the vote, with a quarter of the vote counted.
Green Isobel Mudford is polling just under 20 per cent, and Liberal Will Roche 17 per cent.
Independent Claire Miles’ vote is at 11 per cent.
In the seat of Fenner, Labor’s Andrew Leigh looks home and hosed with 22 per cent of the vote counted.
He is polling 53.8 per cent of the vote. Green Dani Hunterford is on 18 per cent, while Liberal Bola Olatunbosun is at 19 per cent.
Family First’s Elizabeth Kikkert, a former liberal MLA, is gathering just 8 per cent.
Jessie Price at Duffy Primary School today. Photo: Chris Johnson.
7:55 pm: Labor’s David Smith is in trouble in Bean, and will be hoping the Greens’ vote continues to pick up and that their preferences will stay true to Labor.
With 20.74 per cent of the vote counted, Mr Smith has 38.97 per cent of the vote, Jessie Price 28.38, Liberal David Lamerton 22.06 and the Greens Sam Carter on 10.6.
7:25 pm: As figures come in from more booths in Bean, Labor’s David Smith has gone to the lead on first preference votes. He is now on 3678, then independent Jessie Price on 2736 and the Liberals’ David Lamerton on 2087.
But Liberal preferences are flowing to Ms Price.
Mr Smith’s vote is down -1.2 per cent, and the Liberal vote -6.4 per cent. The Greens’ vote is down -4 per cent.
Alicia Payne MP voting at Lyneham Primary School this morning. Photo: Michelle Kroll.
7:06 pm: Labor’s Andrew Leigh is taking an early lead in Fenner on 90 votes, Liberal Bola Olatunbosun 21 and Green Dani Hunterford on 25.
In Canberra, Labor’s Alicia Payne on 225, and the Greens’ Isobel Mudford, 185, are close in the early count. Liberal Will Roche is back on 88.
6:50 pm: Early figures in Bean show Independent Jessie Price outpolling Labor’s David Smith 181 to 141 on the first preference vote but this is just on two booths – Norfolk Island and Hughes.
The Liberals’ David Lamerton is on 80 and the Greens’ Sam Carter 55.
Independent for Bean Jessie Price was feeling pretty up when she went to vote for herself at Duffy Primary School at 3 pm.
By then, she said she and her team had picked up the sentiment from around the electorate’s booths.
“The vibe’s pretty good,” she told Region.
READ MORE: Bingo! You can be a winner on election night regardless of the outcome
6:05 pm: Voting has closed across the eastern states and counting has begun in an election that polls suggest will see the return of the Labor Albanese Government.
But sections of the vote have been soft and both the major parties’ primary vote has dipped so preferences will be crucial.
In the ACT, the Liberals have hardly had a campaign to fight, with Opposition Leader Peter Dutton promising massive public service cuts and not making any funding commitments here.
The main contests will be in the Senate between Independent David Pocock and Labor’s Katy Gallagher for the top spot, and in Bean, where incumbent Labor member David Smith is facing an energetic challenge from Independent Jessie Price.
Region will bring you local election count updates throughout the evening.
