Victory for the Coalition: Scott Morrison will win a majority with at least 76 seats – after his party takes Wentworth from Dr Kerryn Phelps

  • Dr Phelps became the member for Wentworth after winning a by-election in 2018
  • By-election in eastern Sydney was triggered by Malcolm Turnbull's resignation 
  • Race had been neck and neck but Dr Phelps is expected to concede defeat 

Scott Morrison and the Coalition have claimed a majority victory in the Federal Election, winning at least 76 seats after Dave Sharma re-claimed Wentworth for the Liberals. 

Independent Dr Kerryn Phelps is expected to concede defeat in the eastern Sydney seat on Monday afternoon. Dr Phelps became the member for Wentworth in October after winning a by-election triggered by the resignation of Malcolm Turnbull. 

The Liberals will win in Bass in Tasmania, according to the ABC's election analyst Antony Green, and claimed Wentworth in Sydney back from Dr Kerryn Phelps on Monday morning.

The two results would give them the required 76 seats to command a majority.

The government could also win in Chisholm in Victoria, but that is currently too close to call.

Scott Morrison and the Coalition have claimed a majority victory in the Federal Election

Scott Morrison and the Coalition have claimed a majority victory in the Federal Election

Independent Dr Kerryn Phelps (pictured) is expected to concede defeat in the eastern Sydney seat on Monday afternoon

Independent Dr Kerryn Phelps (pictured) is expected to concede defeat in the eastern Sydney seat on Monday afternoon 

The Labor Party's disastrous result could mean they end up with fewer seats than they have held for the last three years.

The race for the blue-ribbon Wentworth had been neck and neck with Mr Sharma leading the sitting MP by just 1751 votes on Monday morning.

Mr Sharma had 51.16 per cent of the vote on a two-party preferred basis while Dr Phelps had 48.84 per cent with about 75 per cent of the vote counted.

Both candidates remained tight-lipped on Sunday but Dr Phelps is expected to hold a media conference at midday on Monday when she'll concede defeat.

Mr Sharma, the former ambassador to Israel, was confident he could claw back the seat for the Liberals after Dr Phelps wrestled it from the party at a by-election in October sparked by the dumping of ex-Liberal prime minister Mr Turnbull.

The first sitting of the new parliament could occur before June 30, with the federal government seeking to deliver tax cuts of up to $1080 into the pockets of Australians earning up to $126,000.

'We're going to get on with our economic plan, with our job creation plan. We will seek to legislate our plans to reduce the tax burden on Australians as soon as we possibly can,' Trade Minister Simon Birmingham told Nine's Today program on Monday.

The Coalition's plans also include improving mental health services, social media content laws and drought recovery policies.

The race for the blue-ribbon Wentworth had been neck and neck with Mr Sharma (pictured) leading the sitting MP by just 1751 votes on Monday morning

The race for the blue-ribbon Wentworth had been neck and neck with Mr Sharma (pictured) leading the sitting MP by just 1751 votes on Monday morning 

'We want to support you ... but not pretend to be a government that has answers for all of your problems, we want to support you instead to support your families and your lives,' Senator Birmingham said.

Mr Morrison also needs to fill a number of spots in his ministry due to retirements, including indigenous affairs, industrial relations and human services.

While the seat count continues and the government gets back to business, Labor is set for a month of introspection with a leadership ballot.

Frontbencher and former leadership challenger Anthony Albanese on Sunday became the first to formally announce a tilt at the top job, following what he described as a 'devastating result'.

Deputy leader Tanya Plibersek will on Monday announce she will run for the leadership and shadow treasurer Chris Bowen is also expected to put himself forward.

Bill Shorten will be the interim leader while a postal ballot process is conducted.

The Labor national executive will gather for a teleconference on Monday to discuss the process.

The first sitting of the new parliament could occur before June 30, with the federal government seeking to deliver tax cuts of up to $1080 into the pockets of Australians earning up to $126,000. Pictured: Jenny and Scott Morrison

The first sitting of the new parliament could occur before June 30, with the federal government seeking to deliver tax cuts of up to $1080 into the pockets of Australians earning up to $126,000. Pictured: Jenny and Scott Morrison

 

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Liberal Dave Sharma WINS the key seat of Wentworth from Dr Kerryn Phelps

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