Federal Election 2019 LIVE: Scott Morrison to be returned as prime minister

Bob Hawke's legacy has loomed large over this election, particularly since his death on Thursday night. 

But John Howard, who is full of praise, says Bill Shorten was no Bob Hawke.  He also said that the result showed Australians have rejected the politics of class division.

Hugs are the go at Labor's election party in Melbourne, as captured by our photographer Alex Ellinghausen.

And we're playing the world's smallest violin for the government staffer who had booked a post-election loss holiday...

Our photographer James Brickwood has captured the Liberal Party's elite arriving at the Sofitel where Scott Morrison is expected. 

Our trio of number crunchers, Shane Wright, Matt Wade and Nick Bonyhady have delivered their verdict.

From here Labor can't win the 2019 federal election, barring a huge reversal of the national swing in the unprecedented number of pre-poll votes lodged.

This means Scott Morrison is now well placed to be returned as prime minister but what remains unclear is whether he will govern in minority or with a majority.

It's worth considering the fates of the leaders should they lose.  

Scott Morrison has pulled his party back from the brink of oblivion to the possibility of a win or hung parliament. In short, he's already pulled off the impossible. No matter what happens, he stays Liberal leader. The party is unified behind him and even if Tony Abbott had remained in the parliament, he would not have been able to dislodge Morrison. 

We cannot say the same for Labor. 

Julie Bishop is in her element on Nine's coverage tonight. 

In Sydney, the retired Speaker Bronwyn Bishop has turned up at the Liberals' election night party. 

The mood at the Labor party's election night party is grim, as captured by our photographer Alex Ellinghausen.

Reporter Judith Ireland is at the Hyatt Place hotel in Melbourne and sent this update.

There are red balloons, fried things and a big screen playing Antony Green. The mood is watchful and subdued - lots of people looking at their phones. There was a big hurrah when the news came through that Tony Abbott had lost his seat, but some Labor attendees are saying their best hope now is minority government. Others are shrugging off the results at this point - saying it was "always going to be a long night" (keep in mind that Bill Shorten predicted a clear Labor win earlier today, before polls closed).

As voters in the east coast appear to have failed Labor, the opposition is turning its attention to the West, hoping the voters of WA will deliver their long-predicted election win. Our political reporter Nicole Hasham has a full update here.

Zali Steggall is delivering her victory speech to her supporters at the Novotel Hotel in Warringah. 

She is promising to be a "climate change leader" and fight against corruption in the federal parliament.

She also paid tribute to Tony Abbott and praised his dedication to his community.

I'm checking back in with my sources but first take a look at this incredible snap from our photographer Alex Ellinghausen who has captured the mood at the Labor election night party.

I just phoned back my coalition source I referred to earlier in the evening, who began the night saying things look "terrible." "I really think the Coalition is going to win - I can't believe it!"  The source added: "Albo would have wiped the floor with us."

And that's the key. Tonight is all about Bill Shorten and his failure to deliver a Labor landslide.