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| 2019 Australia election: Morrison's coalition close to shock majority | |
| (about 13 hours later) | |
| Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison is close to securing a majority government as the election's final results are being counted. | |
| His conservative coalition has defied polls and is leading with 77 seats, the Australian Electoral Commission says. Only 76 are needed for a majority. | |
| "I've always believed in miracles," Mr Morrison told supporters in his victory speech on Saturday night. | "I've always believed in miracles," Mr Morrison told supporters in his victory speech on Saturday night. |
| Exit polls had predicted a Labor Party win for the first time in six years. | Exit polls had predicted a Labor Party win for the first time in six years. |
| Labor leader Bill Shorten resigned in the wake of his party's surprise defeat, telling members: "It is obvious that Labor will not be able to form the next government." | Labor leader Bill Shorten resigned in the wake of his party's surprise defeat, telling members: "It is obvious that Labor will not be able to form the next government." |
| He will not seek re-election as party leader. | He will not seek re-election as party leader. |
| The final result may not be known for some hours, but with more than 76% of votes counted the Liberal-National Coalition has won or is predicted to win 77 seats, with Labor trailing on 68 seats. | |
| If the coalition fails to win an outright majority it will need the help of independent MPs to govern. | If the coalition fails to win an outright majority it will need the help of independent MPs to govern. |
| Australia has mandatory voting and a record 16.4 million voters enrolled for the election, which returns a new House of Representatives and just over half of the seats in the Senate. | Australia has mandatory voting and a record 16.4 million voters enrolled for the election, which returns a new House of Representatives and just over half of the seats in the Senate. |
| Celebrating victory | Celebrating victory |
| In his victory speech on Saturday night, Mr Morrison paid tribute to "the quiet Australians" who voted for the coalition. | In his victory speech on Saturday night, Mr Morrison paid tribute to "the quiet Australians" who voted for the coalition. |
| "It's been those Australians who have worked hard every day, they have their dreams, they have their aspirations, to get a job, to get an apprenticeship, to start a business, to meet someone amazing," he said. | "It's been those Australians who have worked hard every day, they have their dreams, they have their aspirations, to get a job, to get an apprenticeship, to start a business, to meet someone amazing," he said. |
| "To start a family, to buy a home, to work hard and provide the best you can for your kids. To save for your retirement. These are the quiet Australians who have won a great victory tonight!" | "To start a family, to buy a home, to work hard and provide the best you can for your kids. To save for your retirement. These are the quiet Australians who have won a great victory tonight!" |
| On Sunday morning, he joined a service at the Pentecostal Horizon Church in Sydney, where he thanked the congregation for their support. | On Sunday morning, he joined a service at the Pentecostal Horizon Church in Sydney, where he thanked the congregation for their support. |
| "You don't get to be a prime minister and serve in that capacity unless you first are a member of your local electorate." | "You don't get to be a prime minister and serve in that capacity unless you first are a member of your local electorate." |
| He later watched his team, the Cronulla Sharks, play a rugby league match, drawing cheers from the crowd. | He later watched his team, the Cronulla Sharks, play a rugby league match, drawing cheers from the crowd. |
| Why was the election important? | Why was the election important? |
| Australia holds elections every three years but, with infighting rife, no prime minister has succeeded in serving a full term since 2007. | Australia holds elections every three years but, with infighting rife, no prime minister has succeeded in serving a full term since 2007. |
| Mr Morrison said he had united his government - a coalition between his Liberal Party and its traditional ally, the National Party - in the nine months since he replaced Malcolm Turnbull as prime minister. | Mr Morrison said he had united his government - a coalition between his Liberal Party and its traditional ally, the National Party - in the nine months since he replaced Malcolm Turnbull as prime minister. |
| Surveys showed that the economy, cost of living, environment and health were central concerns for voters, while younger people in particular voiced frustration about climate change and a lack of affordable housing. | Surveys showed that the economy, cost of living, environment and health were central concerns for voters, while younger people in particular voiced frustration about climate change and a lack of affordable housing. |
| Mr Morrison campaigned primarily on economic issues, often doing so alone while painting the election as a choice between himself and Mr Shorten. | Mr Morrison campaigned primarily on economic issues, often doing so alone while painting the election as a choice between himself and Mr Shorten. |
| Mr Shorten promised to cut tax breaks for the wealthy and to lower greenhouse gas emissions. | Mr Shorten promised to cut tax breaks for the wealthy and to lower greenhouse gas emissions. |
| There were fierce debates about the rolling leadership turmoil, formal recognition of indigenous Australians, and the treatment of female MPs in parliament. | There were fierce debates about the rolling leadership turmoil, formal recognition of indigenous Australians, and the treatment of female MPs in parliament. |
| "I think people have become afraid after a very negative campaign," Labor supporter Julie Nelson told Reuters at the party's Melbourne election night function. "They [the Liberals] managed to convince people they should be afraid of change." | "I think people have become afraid after a very negative campaign," Labor supporter Julie Nelson told Reuters at the party's Melbourne election night function. "They [the Liberals] managed to convince people they should be afraid of change." |