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Update
Independent candidate Kerryn Phelps claimed victory in the Wentworth by-election, promising voters that she will not let them down.
Key points:
- Dr. Phelps named "Easy Winner" by Antony Green, Election Analyst at ABC
- The Liberal Party has been in power for decades, but their vote has collapsed
- The result means that the Morrison government lost its majority in Canberra
Antony Green, an election analyst at ABC, announced the result just over an hour after the polls were closed.
To date, the numbers show that the Liberal Party has experienced a projected surge of over 20% against candidate Dave Sharma.
The Liberal Party, and its predecessors, control the electorate of East Sydney since the federation. This historic result means that the federal government will lose its majority of a seat in Canberra.
With nearly 40% of the votes counted, Sharma had only 38% of first preferences, compared with 33 for Phelps.
Labor Party candidate Tim Murray won 11 percent.
Dr. Phelps danced with supporters of the Bondi Surf North Rescue Club before going on stage to win the historic victory.
"Thanks to the people of Wentworth for putting your trust in me," she said.
"I will not let you down."
She thanked his wife Jackie and supporters of his campaign, calling it "David and Goliath's fight".
"This win tonight should mark a return of decency, integrity and humanity to the Australian government.
The campaign was deadly for Sharma
Mr. Sharma congratulated Dr. Phelps and described it as "dreadful".
He said that Wentworth was full of "workers".
"They certainly have strong points of view and they showed them tonight," he said.
"But I respect them for that and they make a great contribution to Australia."
Mr Sharma described his first election campaign as a "deadly and yet rewarding and rewarding experience".
Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the result was not unexpected and reflected the anger of the electorate following the ouster of Malcolm Turnbull at a coup. State in the direction of power in August.
Mr. Turnbull resigned as MP for Wentworth after the spill.
"Today 's result is about us, the Liberals, not about Dave Sharma," Morrison said.
"The Liberal Party has paid a heavy price tonight for the events of several months.
"But as a party, we will continue to increase."
Liberal MP Trent Zimmerman admitted that voters' anger after Mr. Turnbull's ouster was "palpable".
"It's obviously a devastating night for the Liberal Party," Zimmerman said.
"Our job is to learn a message that Wentworth voters have sent us because it is not a single Wentworth message."
"Beginning of the end" for the government
Labor vice-president Tanya Plibersek said the movement against the government was important.
"It's historic – it's huge and it shows that Scott Morrison's values are not those of Wentworth," she said.
Plibersek said the workers' vote was depressed as voters wanted to "send a strong message to Scott Morrison".
Mr. Zimmerman said the result was not a reflection on Mr. Sharma's campaign.
"Frankly, I think Dave is one of the best candidates we have run in an election in the last two years," he said.
Murray acknowledged his defeat around 8 pm and said the party should be proud to contribute to the momentum of by-elections in the history of the federal Parliament.
"It's the beginning of the late Morrison government," he said.
"We did it!"
Mr. Turnbull's son, Alex, who had been a virulent critic of the Liberal Party during the campaign and a thorn in his strategists' feet, said the result was "unbelievable".
"[I am] proud of the people of Wentworth, "he said in a tweet.
"A great day for Australian democracy."
Morrison had previously urged voters not to opt for an independent because it would jeopardize the majority of government seats in the lower house, potentially making it difficult to enact a law.
Topics:
elections,
political parties,
Government and politics,
federal elections,
Sydney-2000
First posted
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