Australian election 2019 result: Labor CONCEDES defeat to Liberals – Morrison to remain PM

Mr Shorten told disappointed Labor supporters at a function in Melbourne: “And without wanting to hold out any false hope, while there are still millions of votes to count and important seats yet to be finalised, it is obvious that Labor will not be able to form the next government.” The coalition government is in position to win the national election with more than half the votes counted on Saturday, media projected, though it is unclear whether it can govern with an outright majority and final results may not be known this weekend. The results stand in stark contrast to pre-election polls, which had predicted centre-left Labor would win.

 

Scott Morrison, standing with wife Jenny and their daughters Abbey and Lily, said: “I have always believed in miracles and I’m standing with the three biggest miracles in my life tonight and tonight we’ve been delivered another one.”

Liberal and the National parties recorded a strong win in Queensland, believed to have been greatly helped by the support of pro-climate change action independents.

Mr Shorten congratulated his opponent on his win.

He then announced he would not stand again.

 

But he later added: “I know that you’re all hurting and I am too.

“It’s obvious Labor will not be able to form the next government. This has been a tough campaign, toxic at times.

‘Whilst I intend to continue to serve as the member for Maribyrnong, I will not be a candidate in the next Labor leadership ballot.

He also said: “Now that the contest is over, all of us have a responsibility to accept the result, respect the wishes of the Australian people to bring our nation together.”

 

The opposition leader’s speech comes two days after Labor’s longest-serving prime minister Bob Hawke died, aged 89.

Mr Shorten added: “I wish we could have done it for Bob but it was not to be.”

Mr Shorten lost electorates in Brisbane, north Queensland, western Sydney and Tasmania.

He also struggled to scoop enough support in Melbourne, Mr Shorten’s home state of Victoria.

source: express.co.uk