2.30PM | Frydenberg concedes defeat to teal independent.
Former Treasurer Josh Frydenberg has formally conceded defeat in his Melbourne seat of Kooyong.
Mr Frydenberg admitted on Sunday that it would be difficult to retain the seat but wanted to wait until some of the postal votes were counted.
However, they have not fallen his way with teal independent Monique Ryan more than 6,00o votes in front.
“Today I rang Dr Monique Ryan to congratulate her on the election result in Kooyong and wished her well for therm ahead,” Mr Frydenberg said in a statement.
“It’s been an incredible privilege to have served as the local member for the last 12 years.
“Every day I’ve given the job my all. We’ve achieved so much together.
“To the people of Kooyong, I can only say thank you. I look forward to spending more time with my family.”
Today, I contacted Dr Monique Ryan to congratulate her on the election result in Kooyong.
It’s been an incredible privilege to have served as the local member for the last 12 years.
Kooyong, thank you. pic.twitter.com/T6aMK53Zl5
— Josh Frydenberg (@JoshFrydenberg) May 23, 2022
9.30AM | Albanese sworn in as PM
Anthony Albanese has been sworn in as Australia’s 31st Prime Minister.
Mr Albanese took the oath at Government House in Canberra with his partner Jody and son Nathan watching on.
Richard Marles has been sworn in as Deputy Prime Minister and will be Acting Prime Minister when Mr Albanese jets off to Japan later today.
Jim Chalmers was also sworn in as Treasurer, Penny Wong as Foreign Minister and Katy Gallagher as Finance Minister.
The rest of the ministry will be sworn in when Mr Albanese returns from Tokyo.
7.30AM | “New government starts today.”: Albanese
Anthony Albanese has left his Sydney home en route to Canberra to be sworn in as Australia’s 31st Prime Minister.
“It’s a big day in my life, but a big day for the country when we change the government,” Mr Albanese told reporters.
“I want to lead a government that has the same sentiment of optimism and hope that I think defines the Australian people. I want to be positive. I want to channel the opportunity that we have, to shape change so that we bring people with us on the journey of change.
” I want to bring the country together and the new government starts today.”
Anthony Albanese leaves his Sydney home on his way to Canberra to be sworn in as Australia’s 31st Prime Minister.
Monday 6.30AM | Albanese to be sworn in today, Labor on track for majority
Anthony Albanese will be sworn in as Australia’s 31st Prime Minister on Monday morning before jetting off to Japan.
Richard Marles will also be sworn in as Deputy Prime Minister along with Foreign Minister Penny Wong and Treasurer Jim Chalmers.
The remainder of Labor’s cabinet will be decided and sworn in when Mr Albanese returns from Tokyo.
The latest count has Labor with 72 seats, leaving the party still short of a majority government.
But with 12 seats still in doubt, it is confident it will get to the 76 seats that it needs.
It is projected to win the Sydney seat of Bennelong and currently leads in the Melbourne seats of Deakin and Macnamara.
Labor also leads in two of its current seats, Richmond and Lyons.
Read more: Albanese heads to Tokyo for Quad meeting
11.15AM | Frydenberg holding out hope, refusing to blame Morrison
Outgoing Treasurer Josh Frydenberg won’t concede defeat in his Melbourne seat of Kooyong just yet, but admits it will be difficult for him to get across the line.
Mr Frydenberg trails teal independent Monique Ryan by almost 5,000 votes, giving Dr Ryan 54 per cent of the two-party vote.
“With 16,000 postal votes still to count in Kooyong, about 12 per cent of the overall vote, it is mathematically possible that I could retain Kooyong, but it is obviously very, very difficult,” Mr Frydenberg said.
“That being said, I will wait until more postal votes are counted before saying any more about the particular results in Kooyong.”
The loss of Mr Frydenberg would be a huge blow to the Liberal Party.
He was seen as the most likely successor to Scott Morrison in the wake of a Coalition loss, but that now leaves Peter Dutton in the box seat to become Opposition Leader.
But Mr Frydenberg is refusing to blame Scott Morrison for the defeat.
“There are always lots of factors in a political result, and this is no different to other elections in that regard. Scott Morrison said yesterday himself..that obviously as the leader he takes responsibility for the victories and for the defeats.
“But as I said last night, I think he has provided outstanding leadership, extraordinary leadership in extraordinary times.”
8.45AM | Palmer’s election failure, Hanson leads the race for final Qld senate spot
Clive Palmer’s multi-million dollar election campaign has amounted to nothing with the United Australia Party failing to secure any seats in either the House of Reps or the Senate.
Current counting has UAP with just 4.27 per cent of the national vote in the lower house.
It has so far been outpolled by One Nation which currently holds 4.97 per cent of the national vote.
The party’s one longshot, Craig Kelly, was soundly beaten in his Sydney seat of Hughes, attracting just 7.5 per cent of the primary vote.
In the race for Queensland Senate seats, the LNP and Labor are set to win two seats each while the Greens are expected to win one.
One Nation’s Pauline Hanson leads in the battle for the sixth and final seat but is only just ahead of the Legalise Cannabis Australia Party.
UAP has so far attracted just 4.7 per cent of the Senate vote in Queensland, dashing Mr Palmer’s hopes of winning a seat.
It’s also been a failure for former Queensland Premier Campbell Newman who was also battling for that final Senate spot for the Liberal Democrats.
8.00AM | Crossbench set to more than double, Keneally ousted
The next federal parliament is set to have a massive crossbench with as many 15 independent and minor party MPs.
The Greens will increase their representation to at least three after retaining the seat of Melbourne (Vic) and winning the seat of Griffith (Qld) off Labor and Ryan from the LNP.
They also lead Labor in the seat of Brisbane however, Labor remains hopeful it can get across the line.
Six more teal independents look set to join Zali Steggall in the new parliament after winning once-blue ribbon Liberal seats.
Monique Ryan will win Kooyong (Vic) from outgoing Treasurer Josh Frydenberg, Allegra Spender has easily beaten Dave Sharma in Wentworth (NSW) while Trent Zimmerman will lose North Sydney to Kylea Tink.
The seat of Mackellar on Sydney’s northern beaches has fallen to independent Sophie Scamps, former ABC journalist Zoe Daniels has won the Melbourne seat of Goldstein from Liberal MP Tim Wilson, while Kate Chaney is set to win the WA seat of Curtin.
Former Labor Senator Kristina Keneally’s push for a lower house seat has failed, beaten by independent Dai Le in the Sydney seat of Fowler.
Ms Keneally’s candidacy was dogged by controversy after being parachuted in from Sydney’s northern beaches, angering local residents.
She had also been accused of bullying the late Labor Senator Kimberly Kitching, with Ms Keneally dubbed one of the ‘mean girls’.
Le, the former Liverpool deputy Mayor leads by almost 3,400 votes over Ms Keneally.
Sitting independents Bob Katter, Andrew Wilkie, Helen Haines, and Rebekah Sharkie all retained their seats.
Sunday, 7.30AM | Dutton hanging on, Frydenberg gone.
Outgoing Defence Minister Peter Dutton looks set to hang on in the Queensland seat of Dickson after early predictions had him losing to Labor’s Ali France.
Mr Dutton is in front by just over 2,000 votes, leading Labor 51.4 – 48.6.
He is the early favourite to become Opposition Leader following Scott Morrison’s decision to step down as Liberal leader.
Josh Frydenberg, who was touted as the next likely leader, will lose his once blue-ribbon Melbourne seat of Kooyong to teal independent Monique Ryan.
He trails by almost 5,000 votes.
11.45PM | “I am humbled by this victory”: Albanese
“I say to my fellow Australians, thank you for this extraordinary honour. Tonight the Australian people have voted for change. I am humbled by this victory and I’m honoured to be given the opportunity to serve as the 31st Prime Minister of Australia.
“My Labor team will work every day to bring Australians together. And I will lead a government worthy of the people of Australia. A government as courageous and hard working and caring as the Australian people are themselves.”
“Earlier tonight, Scott Morrison called me to congratulate myself and the Labor Party on our victory at the election. Scott very graciously wished me well. And I thanked him for that and I wish him well. And I thank him for the service that he has given to our country as Prime Minister.”
“My fellow Australians, it says a lot about our great country that a son of a single mum who was a disability pensioner, who grew up in public housing down the road in Camperdown can stand before you tonight as Australia’s Prime Minister.
“Every parent wants more for the next generation than they had. My mother dreamt of a better life for me and I hope that my journey in life inspires Australians to reach for the stars. I want Australia to continue to be a country that no matter where you live, who you worship, who you love or what your last name is, that places no restrictions on your journey in life.”
11.30PM | Albanese “ready to serve”
Incoming Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has left his home on his way to deliver his victory speech in the federal election.
“I’m ready to serve,” Mr Albanese told reporters outside his Marrickville home.
“I want to unite the country, I think people want to come together, look for our common interest, look for that sense of common purpose.
“I think people have had enough of division. What they want is to come together as a nation and I intend to lead that.”
11.00PM | Morrison to stand down as Liberal leader
Scott Morrison has confirmed he will not remain as leader of the Liberal Party.
“To my colleagues tonight, who have had to deal with very difficult news, and have lost their seats tonight, I as leader take responsibility for the wins and the losses. That is the burden and that is the responsibility of leadership.
“As a result, I will be handing over the leadership at the next party room meeting to ensure the party can be taken forward under new leadership which is the appropriate thing to do.
“I’ve had the great privilege to lead this great party and lead this great nation. And the reason I have been able to do that is I’ve been supported by so many.”
10.50PM | Morrison concedes defeat
Outgoing Prime Minister Scott Morrison has conceded defeat in front of Liberal Party supporters in Sydney.
Mr Morrison arrived at the function with his family after taking the drive from Kirribilli House.
“It’s a difficult night for Liberals and Nationals around the country as nights like this always are. They are humbling but so is victory. Victory is always humbling and always should be.
“Tonight, I have spoken to the Leader of the Opposition and the incoming Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese. And I’ve congratulated him on his election victory this evening.”
“Now there are many votes still to count, that is true. There are many pre-polls and postals that will still come in. But I believe it’s very important that this country has certainty.
“I think it’s very important this country can move forward. And particularly over the course of this week with the important meetings that are being held, I think it’s vitally important there’s a very clear understanding about the government of this country.
“This has been a time of great upheaval over these past few years. And it has imposed a heavy price on our country and on all Australians. And I think all Australians have felt that deeply.”
10.10PM | “Will be difficult” to win Kooyong: Frydenberg
Outgoing Treasurer Josh Frydenberg is not ready to concede defeat but admits he faces an uphill battle to retain his once blue-ribbon Melbourne seat.
Mr Frydenberg trails teal independent Monique Ryan 45.5 per cent to 54.5 two-party preferred.
“So while it’s mathematically possible that we win in Kooyong, it’s definitely difficult,” Mr Frydenberg told supporters in Melbourne.
“But while votes are still being counted, I wanted to take this opportunity to be here with Amy to say a few thank yous. Thank you to the people of Kooyong. Thank you to the people of Australia. Thank you to my party and to my colleagues.”
9.20PM | Coalition govt ‘defeated’
Anthony Albanese is on track to become Australia’s 31st Prime Minister with counting showing the Coalition will be unable to even form a minority government.
The Coalition has so far lost nine seats but is on track to lose several more, meaning it will not even be able to cobble together a government with the help of the crossbench.
Labor is the only party that will be able to form government after tonight but it remains to be seen whether that will be a majority or minority.
With the Greens and independents picking up five seats so far, Labor is still short of the 76 needed to form a majority government.
The ABC projects there could be as many as 11 crossbenchers.
But early counting in WA suggests a massive swing towards Labor in the west which would get them across the line.
9.00PM | Independents roll sitting Liberal MPs
Teal independents will win three seats and are on track to pick up a fourth.
Independents have picked up the Liberal-held Wentworth (NSW), Mackellar (NSW) and Goldstein (Vic) and look set to also win North Sydney (NSW).
Teal independent Monique Ryan currently leads Treasurer Josh Frydenberg 53.3 per cent to 46.7 per cent with 33 per cent of the vote counted.
8.20PM | Coalition ‘unlikely’ to form majority government
ABC election analyst Antony Green has declared he can’t see the Coalition will able to form a majority government based on current results.
But he’s yet to see that Labor will be able to either with a hung parliament appearing to be the most likely scenario.
“Labor will win more seats than the Coalition, but at the moment it is unclear whether Labor could get to a majority position. At the moment, because of those Independents, it is very difficult to see how the Coalition can get to a majority position.”
At present counting and based on current projections, Labor is set to win 61 seats, the Coalition 47, independents and minor parties 6 with 37 still in doubt.
Labor has picked up the Liberal-held seats of Reid (NSW) and Chisolm (Vic) and is predicted to win Higgins (Vic) and Robertson (NSW) as well.
It is ahead in the Liberal-held seats of Bennelong (NSW), Boothby (SA), and Brisbane (QLD).
The Liberal party is behind the teal independent in Mackellar (NSW) and North Sydney (NSW).
Labor’s Home Affairs spokesperson Kristina Keneally trails independent Dai Le in Fowler (NSW).
8.10PM | Greens polling strongly in Brisbane
The Greens are on track to win the Brisbane seat of Griffith from the Labor Party.
With 29 per cent of the vote counted, Greens candidate Max Chandler-Mather currently leads the primary vote count with 36.6 per cent ahead of the LNP’s Olivia Roberts and the ALP’s Terri Butler both on 28.9 per cent.
On that count, the Greens would win on preferences, but Labor is refusing to concede defeat yet.
The Greens are also leading the LNP in the Brisbane seat of Ryan.
7.50PM | Craig Kelly’s PM dreams over
United Australia Party leader Craig Kelly has been unable to retain his Sydney seat of Hughes, dashing his hopes of becoming Prime Minister.
Jenny Ware has regained the seat for the Liberal Party.
She currently holds 52 per cent of the two-party vote over Labor but that is predicted to get as high as 56 per cent.
Mr Kelly has so far managed to attract only 8.1 per cent of primary votes.
7.40PM | Dutton trailing in Dickson
Defence Minister Peter Dutton is behind in the Queensland seat of Dickson with the ABC projecting he will lose his seat to Labor’s Ali France.
Mr Dutton went into the election with a margin of 4.6 per cent.
With 13.3 per cent of the vote counted, Ms France leads Mr Dutton 54.7 to 45.3 two-party preferred.
7.20PM | Liberals in trouble against teal independents
Several sitting Liberal MPs are facing trouble in seats where they are up against teal independents.
Allegra Spender is on track to beat the Liberal’s Dave Sharma in Wentworth.
With 3.1 per cent of the vote counted, Ms Spender leads with 67.4 per cent of the two-party vote.
Tim Wilson is hanging on by a thread in the Melbourne seat of Goldstein where he currently leads former ABC journalist Zoe Daniels by just 0.8 per cent.
Liberal MP Jason Falinski trails independent Sophie Scamps in the Sydney seat of Mackellar.
Treasurer Josh Frydenberg leads independent Monique Ryan in the seat of Kooyong.
7.00PM | Early numbers start rolling in
It’s set to be a long night of counting with expectations a result won’t even be known tonight.
With 2.3 million postal votes and around 5 million pre-poll votes, we may not know the winner for several days.
LNP Senator James McGrath believes it could be even longer than that, describing what we are likely to see as ‘chaos’.
“We are going to be here until midnight. We will not have a result until next week,” Senator McGrath has told Sky.
The Liberal Party is enjoying an early swing in the NSW south coast seat of Gilmore where former NSW cabinet minister Andrew Constance is hoping to win the seat off Labor.
There’s a swing against the Liberal Party in the Sydney seat of Reid which it is battling to hang onto as well as its most marginal seat of Chisolm in Victoria.
With 2.6 per cent of the national vote counted so far the Coalition has 39.4 per cent of the vote, the ALP 26 per cent, the Greens 10.9 per cent, One Nation 7.1. per cent, United Australia 4.8 per cent and others on 12 per cent.
6.00PM | Counting begins as polls close in the eastern states
Polls have closed in the eastern states with counting in the 2022 federal election to get underway.
Will Scott Morrison pull off another ‘miracle’ election win or will Anthony Albanese lead Labor to just its fourth win from Opposition since World War II?
There are 151 seats in the House of Representatives up for grabs which will decide who will form the next government, meaning one of the parties will need at least 76 seats to form a majority government.
Going into this election and after re-distributions, the Coalition held 76 seats, Labor 69, the Greens hold one with independents holding the remaining five.
The Coalition will need to pick up seats to offset expected losses in several states.
It will be hoping to regain the Sydney seat of Hughes from defector Craig Kelly as well Gilmore on the New South Wales south coast which is being contested by former state government minister Andrew Constance.
But the Coalition will struggle to hold several marginal seats including Bass in Tasmania, Chisolm in Victoria, and Boothby in South Australia.
Other Coalition-held seats including the New South Wales seats of Reid and Robertson, the Queensland seats of Longman, Leichhardt, Swan, and Pearce in Western Australia are also in play while the LNP is facing a threat from both Labor and the Greens in Brisbane.
Then there are the so-called teal independents posing a danger in once-safe seats including Wentworth, North Sydney, Goldstein and even Kooyong held by Treasurer Josh Frydenberg.
Labor will need a uniform swing of 3.2 per cent if it is to win enough seats to form a majority government.
A Newspoll released on Saturday had Labor leading 53-47 after preferences, suggesting a swing of 4.5 per cent.
