11.15pm. A very strong performance by the Greens at the Lyneham booth in Molonglo (29.2 per cent) has been cancelled out by other late booths: the Greens (1.47) now trail the Liberals (2.49) in the hunt for the last quota.
11.07pm. I earlier said a third Labor seat in Ginninderra would go to Dave Peebles, but he now slightly trails Adina Cirson.
10.58pm. It’s also being said that Frank Pangallo can’t be written off in Molonglo, although it’s conceded that it’s unlikely.
10.56pm. Talk on the ABC is that independent Mark Parton is not out of the hunt in Ginninderra, depending on how independent preferences go. If successful the result there would be two Labor and one each for Liberal, Greens and independent. He has 6.6 per cent of the primary vote.
10.43pm. I’m back. Greens sounding slightly more hopeful of that second seat in Molonglo and Labor likewise of a third seat in Ginninderra, but both remain up in the air and if anything leaning slightly to the Liberals.
9.13pm. I’ll be taking a break shortly, so a recap. Brindabella: No doubt the result here is 2-2-1, little doubt Steve Doszpot has taken a Liberal seat from Steve Pratt, possible Joy Burch will take a Labor seat from Mick Gentleman. Ginninderra: Liberals seem to be recovering a little after the 3-1-1 scare, and looking better for 2-2-1, but a few big booths still to come. If it’s the former, Vicki Dunne will lose her seat to Labor’s Dave Peebles. Newcomer Alistair Coe has done very well to be a clear Liberal winner. Molonglo: Labor’s three incumbents looking good; two seat for the Liberals (Zed Seselja overwhelmingly dominating the vote, so unclear if the second will be second-placed Jeremy Hanson or third-placed Giulia Jones), one seat for the Greens (Shane Rattenbury), and the final seat a contest between a third Liberal and a second Greens (unclear if Caroline Le Couteur or Elena Kirschbaum). So Labor has lost its majority but might yet win eight seats out of 17, but more likely seven; Liberal between five and seven; Greens three or four.
9.10pm. What I might have missed in Molonglo is the 3 per cent vote for Richard Mulcahy which will presumably flow heavily to the Liberals (thanks to Oz in comments).
9.06pm. With the vote up from 42.3 to 57.6, the Liberals have recovered slightly in Ginninderra, up from 27.1 to 27.8 per cent. They would still seem more likely than not to win a second seat, but are by no means home and hosed. As far as I can see, the prospect of a second Greens seat in Molonglo looks higher than most are saying: they are on 1.45 quotas against 2.51 for the Liberals, and could surely close that 0.06 gap on preferences. There is a lot I could be missing though.
8.52pm. Situation in Molonglo is that Labor are sure for three, the Liberals for two and the Greens for one, with the final seat down to a third Liberal and a second Green.
8.50pm. Brindabella count up to 63.2 per cent, but the basic situation changed: Labor two (John Hargreaves returned, but Mick Gentleman not home against party newcomer Joy Burch), Liberal two (Brendan Smyth plus Steve Doszpot looking likely to defeat Steve Pratt), Greens one (Amanda Bresnan).
8.46pm. Talk on ABC of the Liberal vote continuing to fade in Ginninderra, putting their second seat at risk. That could mean a final outcome of Labor 8, Liberal 6, Greens 3. The Liberal casualty in Ginninderra would be incumbent Vicki Dunne, who is well behind newcomer Alistair Coe.
8.22pm. Vote count really ticking over now: up to 45.9 per cent in Brindabella, and Joy Burch has hit the lead over Mick Gentleman for the second Labor seat. Steve Pratt now trails Steve Doszpot 8.3 per cent to 6.3 per cent, which is just about lethal for Pratt.
8.20pm. I intimated earlier that Brendan Smyth’s preferences might help Pratt narrow the gap over Doszpot, but the very helpful Ben Raue points out that Smyth is himself some way short of a quota so won’t have preferences to give.
8.10pm. Ginninderra vote up from 16.8 to 20.9 and the Liberals have gone down further, from 1.71 quotas to 1.68.
8.08pm. The brains trust, and apparently the man himself, doesn’t think Pangallo is a chance.
8.05pm. Brindabella count up from 19.5 per cent to 24.3 per cent, and the gap between Doszpot and Pratt continues to widen.
8.02pm. With an extra 1.8 per cent counted (20.1 per cent), the Greens vote up slightly in Molonglo, where there support is unevenly spread. It might be that Frank Pangallo is in the hunt here: his group is on 0.38 quotas against 1.39 for the Greens.
7.58pm. An extra 2.5 per cent counted in Brindabella bears out what Adam said earlier: Labor up from 34.2 per cent to 34.9 per cent, Liberal down from 36.8 per cent to 36.1 per cent, Greens down from 13.6 per cent. The 2-2-1 outcome here is not in doubt, but it’s interesting to note that Steve Pratt has fallen further behind newcomer Liberal Steve Doszpot: from 7.7-7.1 to 7.7-6.8. However, as a sitting member and ally of Brendan Smyth, Pratt can presumably expect to do better on the latter’s preferences.
7.55pm. Ben Raue on the ground notes: “Of course it takes ages. First of all you’ve gotta unfold them, then sort them into columns, then sort them into individuals within columns when all different ballots have the candidates in a different order, then tally them. It takes a lot longer than a federal primary count.”
7.54pm. Count remains slow, but Liberal spokesman on ABC Radio doesn’t sound concerned about a second seat in Ginninderra despite only being on 1.7 quotas at present.
7.25pm. Count now proceeding slowly after initial excitement. Adam Carr notes in comments that the polls are doing better for Labor than the pre-polls. Greens hopes for a second seat in Molonglo seem to be fading.
7.11pm. ABC Radio commentators pretty much writing off Richard Mulcahy.
7.05pm. Big picture: 11 per cent swing against Labor, slight drop in the Liberals, big pick-up for the Greens – definitely good for three seats, maybe yet four. ABC computer still saying seven each for Labor and Liberal, three for the Greens. Kate Lundy still thinks Labor might win three seats in Ginninderra, but they’ll have to do better than their current 2.3 quotas.
6.52pm. More on Molonglo: Sometime NSW Greens candidate Ben Raue vaguely hopeful in comments of a second Greens seat, but early days with booth votes only just starting to come in. Katy Gallagher easily leading the Labor field; Andrew Barr not doing well for a presumed future leader, but still very likely to win a seat. Simon Corbell the poorest performing of the three Labor incumbents. Zed Seselja home and hosed, but Jacqui Burke in trouble, trailing two Liberal newcomers in Jeremy Hanson and Guilia Jones.
6.40pm. Molonglo: Labor looking good for three seats, the Liberals not certain of more than two, Shane Rattenbury home and hosed for the Greens.
6.38pm. Ginninderra: The Liberals are short of two quotas at the moment, but probably not by enough to stop them winning two seats. Vicki Dunne is trailing newcomer Alistair Coe; both should win seats unless they are indeed in danger of only winning one. Jon Stanhope and Mary Porter both set to be returned. Meredith Hunter to win a seat for the Greens.
6.35pm. Brindabella: on counting of pre-polls, Labor and Liberal are both just above two quotas and the Greens just below one, leaving no doubt as to the result if the trend continues. Intriguingly, Steve Doszpot narrowly leads Steve Pratt in the race for the second Liberal seat; Brendan Smyth is clearly not in trouble. John Hargreaves certain to win the first Labor seat, but Joy Burch perhaps an outside change to beat Mick Gentleman, although she is behind. Strong performances by the micro-parties, but not strong enough.
6.32pm. ABC computer predicting seven seats each to Labor and Liberal and three to the Greens.
6.26pm. That quick counting has indeed been down to electronic voting – all those results are pre-polls. I expect things will quieten down a little for a while now.
6.21pm. Presumably to rub salt into the wounds of the technical problems I have been having, the ACT Electoral Commission are conducting the count at breakneck speed – perhaps this has something to do with electronic voting. 12.9 per cent counted and those opinion polls are looking good – Labor down 10.7 per cent, Liberals down 2.9 per cent, Greens up 7.2 per cent.
6.20pm. Apologies for the delay in getting started. Oz in comments writes: “5% counted. 9.8% swing to The Greens in Brindabella. 12.1% counted, 7.4% swing to The Greens in Ginninderra. 11% counted in Molonglo, 7% swing to The Greens. Labor and Lib losing out, Independants also getting swings.”
Greens vote picking up in Molonglo, now 1.42 quotas. Shane now on 0.71 with Caroline on 0.37 and Elena on 0.35. Interesting. It’s not unreasonable that one Caroline or Elena could beat Giulia or Jeremy Hanson for the last spot.
All the booths that have come in have a better Labor vote than the prepolls. I think what has happened is that the Rudd stimulus package has produced a late swing to Labor, which the prepolls have not reflected. It would follow that as the booth vote comes in Labor’s chances of 8 seats will improve.
abc elections page(s) slower than Trig Palin
ok..that was in bad taste
Ben I can’t see Caroline making it. The Green vote is likely to go down from here, not up, given that its the electronic votes that are in, plus one very Green booth. If this % holds she might have a ghost of a chance, but is her vote falls even a fraction of a percent she’s gone, and I think that’s pretty likely.
Adam, are you using data from scrutineers? I can hardly see any data from today on the commission website, and what is there is from very a-typical booths.
Zombie Mao I just laughed my dinner all over the computer. Thanks.
Heya Ben, you know as well as I do that the Green vote always is better early in the night. Molonglo needed to be closer to 17 or 18 at this stage of the night if she was to have any chance.
Definitely 3 Greens in though.
I understand feral, but so far it HAS gone up measurably.
Ah, it’s gone backwards.
I’m not expecting anything ridiculous, just reporting the possibilities I’m seeing.
I’d been laughing with my partner about the tackiness of the ‘Vote Guilia with a G’ campaign… but hey! I suppose it’s done some good for her!
Western Australians are smarter than stupid Canberrans. Thats for sure.
hooray the nutjob is back
Honest John is the resurrection of Tabatha perhaps?
must be Sarah Palin
I am repeating what people are saying on ABC Radio.
How dissapointing
I thought Adam was channeling the scruitneers with his awesome psychic powers
I save my awesome psychic powers for more important matters.
You Canberrans are a national disgrace- its beyond comprehension. Canberrans need to get the brains of Western Australians.
The paper count is taking absolute AGES. Only 2.3% added in since electronic votes.
I’m pleased to hear that I have brains.
Honest John, I think William has a rule against vulgar trolling.
I am led to believe that the polling was taken to retirement homes, hospitals, etc during the week, plus you could vote early if you were going to be out of town. Canberrans are notorious for heading for the coast at the first sign of sun, plus there are the attractions of sin city down the freeway.
That would be Queanbeyan, I take it?
By Honest John’s logic, Australia is also a national disgrace. 🙂
Of course it takes ages. First of all you’ve gotta unfold them, then sort them into columns, then sort them into individuals within columns when all different ballots have the candidates in a different order, then tally them. It takes a lot longer than a federal primary count.
I’m sure the Liberals privately believe that Australia is indeed a disgrace for depriving them of their divine right to rule.
What ever happened to all the Lefties who for nearly a decade went on about the Country having a nasty soul that was selfash and lasy and uncaring! I do miss hearing them.
Honest John @ 76. The last time I had a look at the West Australian results the ALP won more seats than the Liberals.
Gees it’s a tough crowd here for the 300,000 low vision voters in Oz!
[The electronic voting machines were available at 29 pre-poll voting centres around Australia for two weeks before and on polling day. Votes cast in the trial were pre-poll votes and voters were assisted in completing an application for a pre-poll vote when they arrived at the voting centre.
Electors who had some vision were able to use the 21inch flat screen monitor. The display was either yellow on black or black on white, with an option for larger font.
Electors who could not use the monitor were guided through the process by voice instructions using headphones. The voter navigated the system using a telephone-style keypad, which had large black numbers on a white background. The operation of each key was explained by a pre recorded voice, but was also available in the voting centre in large print and in Braille.]
Electronic Voting Trials for Electors who are Blind or have Low Vision
http://www.aec.gov.au/Voting/e_voting/low_vision.htm
Vicki Dunne (Lib candidate) seems to be holding out hope that The Greens might be open to supporting a Lib government.
Unlikely, Vicki. Unlikely.
I still don’t understand why early voting helps blind or visually-impaired voters.
77 – Rudd won.
Adam, I think the reason why it is seen as being easier is the AEC office isn’t as busy as a polling booth therefore it might be easier for a blind person to feel relaxed before standing over the paper.
Yes! Gary Rudd did Win!
Does anyone think Frank Pangallo’s in the hunt?
According to Brendan Smyth’s twisted logic Canberra really wants a Green government.
Nah, Pangallo just wrote himself off.
There is a lot of things Canberra want! the rest of us have a different idea for Canberra 😉
Yeah, like throwing their councillors out of ‘parliament’ and into a town hall.
Meredith Hunter looks fairly stoked.
Ah, good old respect for democracy. Don’t like the result, call for the parliament to be abolished. All class, there.
Adam
It’s probably a resources thing. If there are only 29 places in Oz with the electronic low vision voting and 300,000 potential voters, they’d have to process 10,000 in a day at each polling place which is clearly impossible. Lots of the pre-poll places were Vision Australia or RSB offices which might only be small.
The AEC site didn’t say how many actually used the pro-poll electronic machines.
Regarding the race for the second Liberal seat in Brindabella, remember that Brendan Smyth is only on 0.79 quotas, so you can’t expect preferences from him. The race will be decided by preferences from the last two Liberal candidates.
Rebecca! I respect democracy but I’m not a fan of three tiers of Government and it was a joke at Canberra’s expense in response to a previous post that reckon someone knew the Canberra wanted a Green Government
Woah, Rebecca. I’m pretty happy with the result as a matter of fact. My party is going to triple their representation.
However, I’m definitely in the group of people who view the ACT elections as trumped up council elections.
Labor vote is coming up slightly in newer results. Green vote is also down slightly.
Big leap in the Brindabella count on ABC, and Doszpot still further ahead of Pratt.
“Doszpot” – Surely you’re kidding!
On latest figures, swing against LNP growing in ACT. Now 2.2%.
Haha Antony – “A pox on both your houses”.
SNIP: Offensive comment deleted, commenter banned – The Management.