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Bennelong byelection: Kristina Keneally concedes to John Alexander – politics live Bennelong byelection: Turnbull celebrates John Alexander win – politics live
(35 minutes later)
Liberal supporters are chanting “we want John” as the pair approach the stage Because Mike Bowers is a super-human, he managed to make it over to Liberal HQ. The man is a marvel.
Photos of Malcolm Turnbull and John Alexander haven’t come through as yet (Mike Bowers was at Labor HQ) but I can offer you this
We are almost at the end – the latest count has Labor with a 7.58 per cent swing in its primary vote, but on a two-party preferred measure (at this time – we still have postals to go as well) its sitting on about 5.58 per cent.
Sidenote: John Alexander was talking about a time when he injured his back and thought his tennis career was over:
The doctor at the time said, “You have eligibility for a disabled sticker.”
“I said, “I still have some pride.” That was before I entered politics!”
This ‘joke’ may be one of the reasons he was kept as quiet as possible during the campaign, with senior ministers doing all the talking for him.
“I’m sure it wasn’t a deliberate thing, not mentioning her in their speeches,” Christopher Pyne says, adding that Labor ran a “very dirty campaign”.
That probably went both ways in this one.
Malcolm Turnbull has ramped up his New England win excitement to about 1000.
The prime minister is loving life sick right now.
Notable: Neither Turnbull or John Alexander acknowledged any of their opponents, including Kristina Keneally.
John Alexander finishes his speech by turning to Malcolm Turnbull and telling him “this is the renaissance of your leadership”.
“Bennelong’s champion, Australia’s champion” gets one last push. @AmyRemeikis pic.twitter.com/LZ9TTBsmhO
This event over the last five weeks, I think, under Malcolm, has brought us together. It’s been the most unifying and humbling experience. I think that Malcolm would agree that we had something like 800 volunteers working today...which makes us just two of 800 and that’s how it is,” Alexander says.
“We were a team where every single person is so valued, so appreciated and jus tthank you, thank you so much.”
He then thanks the people of Bennelong.
The overwhelming feeling, and we feel tonight, is that there is an incredible moment of elation and it’s very, very similar to when you are selected to represent your country in sport.
“But the immediate reaction that you have after that moment of elation is that you have a responsibility and that’s a responsibility to do your absolute best.
“Under Malcolm for the people of Australia, and for me, for the people of Bennelong. Again, thank you so much.”
John Alexander is now allowed to speak:
This... is an extraordinary moment for us. The last four or five weeks have been a tumultuous time.
“It’s been a real battle. I think there’s many positives to take from this but, firstly, I think I’ve got to say to the people of Bennelong that it has been regrettable we had to go through this experience, that we had to have a byelection.
“On the positive side, with all of the volunteers here and your incredible support, with the support of my colleagues, with the support of Mitch who I see there who caught my eye who, in 2010, we door-knocked 10,000 homes and that was really the basis of our winning Bennelong.
Liberals have come from across the state, across the nation, we have had Nationals with us campaigning here just as Liberals campaigned for Barnaby in New England,” Turnbull says.
“A great coalition. John Alexander had everything thrown at him. Everyl ie that Labor could dream up was thrown at him. (The crowd boos)
“But, John, as always, was straigh tand true and honest and he stuck to our principles and our policies and he talked about the 1,000 jobs a day we are creating in Australia. (the crowd cheers)
“He talked about the $75 billion of infrastructure we’re building. He talked about the work he is doing for the people of Bennelong and he said to them:
“I have been your champion, now let me be your champion again. “
“John, they have said, “Yes, John Alexander, you are Bennelong’s champion just as you have been Australia’s champion”.
Malcolm Turnbull arrives on stage first. John Alexander blows some kisses to the crowd.
And Turnbull is the first to speak:
“Thank you Bennelong, the people of Bennelong have put their faith in this man,” he says as he grabs Alexander’s hand and holds it up.
Liberal supporters are chanting “we want John” as the pair approach the stage.
The cheers are getting louder at Liberal HQ.The cheers are getting louder at Liberal HQ.
I’d say John Alexander and Malcolm Turnbull are in the buildingI’d say John Alexander and Malcolm Turnbull are in the building
Matt Thistlethwaite is speaking about a potential Batman byelection (in the event the high court rules David Feeney was ineligible because of dual citizenship) but refuses to say that he will be the candidate who contests the election.Matt Thistlethwaite is speaking about a potential Batman byelection (in the event the high court rules David Feeney was ineligible because of dual citizenship) but refuses to say that he will be the candidate who contests the election.
He points out he is not from that state (Victoria) but says that Feeney will nominate and there will be a preselection process. What he doesn’t say, is that he will win that preselection.He points out he is not from that state (Victoria) but says that Feeney will nominate and there will be a preselection process. What he doesn’t say, is that he will win that preselection.
While we are waiting on John Alexander and Malcolm Turnbull to speak, a couple more Mike Bowers shots from the happiest concession party you ever did see:
With 37 of the 39 booths returned, Labor has seen a swing of about 5.58% on the two-party preferred measure.
As for what Antony Green thinks of using the byelection swing and applying it nationally:
I think it is pointless discussing the byelection. What’s more relevant is the national polls and there hasn’t been a national poll for a very long time.
“The national percentage is more reliable. Byelections, it may be bigger or smaller than the next general election. The swing in this byelection is slightly bigger than the national swing you see in opinion polls.
“The rule of thumb is usually a byelection swing will be twice whatever the national polls are.
“It may be the John Alexander factor or a number of reasons. I think the national polls are far more important.”
Matt Thistlethwaite says it is “mission accomplished” for Labor, in the sense that they have taken a safe Liberal seat and made it a marginal Liberal seat, “and puts us in a very good position to win next time”.
John Alexander and Malcolm Turnbull are due to give their victory speeches at any moment.
This is assuming of course, that Alexander is allowed to speak for himself this time.
That was the most victorious concession speech I have ever heard.
Shorten then makes his play for the general election:
I … promise you, in 2018 – I make this promise to the Australian people: Labor will present positive policies, we will present policies which speak to people’s lives, the cost of living, the energy prices, the schools, the Medicare needs of Australians.
“I promise in 2018, it will be a year of courage because the Australian people want courage from the Labor party and I promise you, using tonight’s example, we will be courageous and we will stand up and put people first.”
Bill Shorten also quotes Malcolm Turnbull, saying it “was a poll on his government” and says he was correct:
“Friends, this was not an ordinary byelection. Normally in a byelection, the former member doesn’t run again. So … therefore, we enjoyed the benefit in the swing of perhaps the lessening of their personal vote, so I congratulate John Alexander but what I recognise is that, because he was running again, this 5.5 to 6% two-party preferred vote, I think a swing over 7% will end up or near 7% on primaries, that entire swing is attributable to Malcolm Turnbull and his rotten policies for this country.
Kristina Keneally introduces Bill Shorten:
I know when we do go to the next election, there will be millions of Australians who want to have their say on Malcolm Turnbull and his lousy government and what I say to them is you have a choice. You have a choice at the next general election. You have a choice to have a prime minister who cares for the vulnerable, who stands up and fights for working people, who is a man who knows who he is, comfortable in his skin and fights for what is right and for what is fair. He is a great friend of mine. He has been a tremendous support on this campaign.
“He is the next prime minister of Australia, Bill Shorten.”
Kristina Keneally says that the result is a verdict on Malcolm Turnbull:
The verdict is in, the message is clear, we have had enough of your lousy leadership.
“Malcolm Turnbull injected himself in this campaign, he owns this result, he owns this result. There is no doubt that thousands of people who voted Liberal just a year ago, abandoned [the Coalition].”