Labor smashes 100-year hoodoo in ‘extraordinary’ by-election victory – as Liberals admit shock defeat in safe seat in crushing blow to Peter Dutton
- Liberals have conceded defeat in Aston by-election
- First time in 100 years government gained by-election win
Labor has claimed victory and the Liberals conceded defeat in an ‘extraordinary’ win in the Aston by-election which was formerly a safe Liberal seat held by ex-Cabinet minister Alan Tudge.
Liberal candidate Roshena Campbell called Labor’s Mary Doyle to congratulate her on the win just before 9pm after it became clear there was no way back from a huge swing against the Coalition.
ABC’s political analyst Antony Green had earlier called the Melbourne seat for Labor at 8.17pm after ballot counts revealed voters had turned against Peter Dutton’s Opposition in unprecedented numbers.
If the result is confirmed, it will be the first time in over a century where a federal government has claimed a by-election win in a previously Opposition-held seat.
‘This is a terrible result for the Liberals,’ said Green as he called it for Labor. ‘It’s extraordinary.’
Labor has claimed victory and the Liberal candidate Roshena Campbell (pictured with leader Peter Dutton) conceded defeat in an ‘extraordinary’ win in the Aston by-election
Liberal candidate Roshena Campbell called Labor’s Mary Doyle (pictured) to congratulate her on the win just before 9pm after it became clear there was no way back from a huge swing against the Coalition
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese claimed the victory in a statement at 8.44pm and said he had called Ms Doyle and congratulated her on her historic win.
On two party preference, Labor has 53.45 per cent of the vote and the Liberals 46.55 per cent wtih a 6.3 per cent swing that not even Labor supporters expected.
‘Aston has been painted red from end to end,’ said Green on ABC. ‘This is just an extraordinary result.’
Ms Doyle gained a massive 7.3 per cent swing for the party in the Federal election in May last year but retiring MP Alan Tudge still retained the seat on a 2.8 per cent margin.
The previously safe outer east suburban seat was vacated by former Minister Mr Tudge when he retired in February, triggering Saturday’s by-election and giving Ms Doyle a second run at winning.
While counting continues, Ms Doyle was declared the winner on Saturday she was headed towards securing a majority of the votes.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese (pictured with Mary Doyle) told the Tasmanian 120-year anniversary dinner he had spoken to Ms Doyle and congratulated her on the historic win
It’s understood Prime Minister Anthony Albanese told the Tasmanian 120-year anniversary dinner he had spoken to Ms Doyle and congratulated her on the historic win. He will return to Melbourne on Sunday morning.
Liberal leader Peter Dutton, flanked by Ms Campbell, admitted it was a ‘tough night’ at a post=election function in Melbourne.
‘We will grow stronger from today’s experience and we will work towards the next election to make sure that we’re in a much better and stronger position,’ he told the party faithful.
More to follow
