The Australian Electoral Commission has formally declared Dr Kerryn Phelps as the winner of the Wentworth by-election.
The poll was triggered by the resignation and former Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull. Dr Phelps, an independent, beat the Liberal candidate Dave Sharma by 1,851 votes.
The swing against the government’s candidate was almost 19 per cent, one of the largest swings ever against a sitting government. The results pushed the Morrison government into minority government, and now they will have to negotiate with five cross-benchers including Dr Phelps, pass legislation.
While results on election night showed a huge level of support for Dr Phelps, postal votes favoured Sharma and candidates have had to wait two weeks for the final result to be declared.
Dr Phelps has listed climate change, the status of refugees on Nauru and health policies as key areas she wants to discuss with Prime Minister Scott Morrison. She has also voiced her opposition to laws which allow gay students to be expelled from schools and exemptions in the anti-discrimination act that allow teachers to be fired over their sexuality and gender.
OIP Staff
