Counting in the WA re-run Senate election has moved on the the ballots where people voted below the line.

Early results are showing that more people voted for Louise Pratt ahead of her conservative colleague Joe Bullock.

Senator Pratt currently leads Mr Bullock 1285 votes to 1039.

The ABC’s Election expert Anthony Green has described the situation as highly unusual and possibility a first for the Labor party.

While the result will not change Mr Bullock’s safe position as the party anointed first choice, it does show that a substantial number of voters were not happy with the conservative unionist being on the top of the ticket.

Last week the union United Voice called for Mr Bullock to stand aside following the publication of of controversial comments he made to a Christian group. At a Q&A session with the group Mr Bullock described the parties members as ‘mad’ and questioned if Senator Pratt’s sexuality.

United Voice has confirmed that is supported Mr Bullock’s candidacy as part of a deal to allow left wing candidate Simone McGurk to represent seat of Fremantle at the state election. At the time Mr Bullock was Secretary of the right-wing Shop Distributive and Allied Employees Association.

Mr Bullock has denied the claim, telling The Australian newspaper that there was no deal, it was just a case of people trusting him more.

“They got nothing out of it,” Mr Bullock told the Australian, “This sounds a little odd, but I think they trusted me more.”

OIP Staff