Australian government considers appeal after candidate loses seat
Australia’s razor-close election could end up in court with the re-elected government holding out hope of extending its single-seat majority.
The candidate whom Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull’s conservative government hoped would deliver it a 77th seat in the 150-seat House of Representatives, Ewen Jones, conceded defeat yesterday in his Queensland state electoral district of Herbert, a month after the 2 July election.
But Mr Jones said his Liberal National Party, which is part of Turnbull’s coalition, should appeal the result, which was the closest of the election. The Court of Disputed Returns could give the seat to Jones or order a new election in Herbert.
The party has until Septem- ber 17 to make its case. Mr Jones lost his seat to an opposition Labour Party candidate by 37 votes after 88,337 votes were counted, then recounted.
“The decision on whether we mount a court challenge in the Court of Disputed Returns is a decision of the party, but I would be agreeing with it if we did take it to the Court of Disputed Returns,” Jones said.
Mr Turnbull confirmed his government was considering appealing the result.
Treasurer Scott Morrison said potential grounds included complaints that soldiers based in Herbert were unable to vote because they were away on a military exercise.