Just over 78 per cent of the nation turned out for Saturday’s vote. When it came to first preferences, the Australian Labor Party received 34.80 per cent of the primary vote, enjoying a +2.22 per cent improvement. As two-party preferred, those preferences boosted Labour to 54 per cent, with the coalition trailing on 45 per cent. Nationwide, Labor seats jumped from 77 to 90 while the Lib/Nat coalition fell from 58 to 43. Hardest hit appears to be the Greens, at the time of writing they appear to have lost all four of their House of Representatives seats.

Back at home, the Farrer Two party preferred vote saw 55.2 per cent to Ley and 44.8 per cent to Milthorpe as of Wednesday, with 84.6 per cent of the vote counted. The result indicates an 11.2 per cent swing away from the long-term Liberal member. Independent candidate Michelle Milthorpe appears to have rattled Albury, with Ley going down in five of the six Albury polling stations.

While unable to comment on her likely re-election, Ms Ley did release a statement on the party’s election aftermath.

“Last night was a very difficult night for the Liberal Party and today we reflect on these results with humility,” read the statement.

“Firstly, I want to thank the many millions of Australians who voted for the Liberal Party (and National Party) and the thousands of volunteers who supported our campaign.”

“As Acting Leader of the Liberal Party, and deputy leader for the past three years, I want to pay particular tribute to Peter Dutton and thank him for his 25 years of deeply valued service to our country. He has been an outstanding Member of Parliament, senior Cabinet Minister, Leader of our Party and friend. We wish him, Kirilly, Bec, Harry and Tom all the very best for their future. They will rightly be very proud of his outstanding service to Australia.”

“Today, our thoughts are also with many Liberal colleagues who have lost their seats, indeed all 150 candidates who ran for the Liberal and National parties across the country. I look forward to their significant individual contributions being appropriately recognised in the near future.”

“As per our party rules, following an election defeat, the Liberal party room will meet in order to elect a Leader of the Opposition and Deputy Leader of the Opposition. These positions will be declared vacant at this meeting.”

For the seat of Mallee, the Nationals saw a 3.3 per cent swing in favour of Dr Anne Webster, who first won the seat in 2019. With 69 per cent of the two-party preferred vote, Dr Webster was unfazed by the Labor candidate Greg Olsen.

Dr Webster said that while the national federal election results are extremely disappointing, Mallee voters have re-elected The Nationals in a strong rejection of Labor’s appalling treatment of the electorate.

“I am humbled that Mallee has voted for me to represent them for the next three years,” Dr Webster wrote to supporters on Sunday morning.

“I am so grateful for that honour, and for the many of you that supported my campaign – from the bottom of my heart, I thank You.”

“Not only has there been a swing towards The Nationals in Mallee this election, it looks likely that we have won Mallee on first preferences and now hold Mallee with one of the largest margins for a Coalition seat in the nation.

Dr Webster said she would hold Labor accountable for their solitary commitment to Mallee, $4.5 million for the Maryborough Pool, and committed to supporters she would keep fighting for them.

“Labor robs regions to buy votes in regional Australia – they did it in Mallee this election campaign, and I will be vocal in Mallee and in Canberra to ensure Mallee gets its fair share and is not railroaded by Labor’s agenda.”

“From Opposition, The Nationals will keep fighting for you, your community and regional Australia

Local polling stations demonstrated a mix of the most popular first and second-place primary candidates.

• Barham: Ley, 373 votes, 49.60 per cent, -5.54 swing. Milthorpe 137 votes, 18.22 per cent +18.22 swing.
• Wakool: Ley, 67 votes, 43.23 per cent, -5.67 swing. Milthorpe 20 votes, 12.90 per cent +12.90 swing.
• Moulamein: Ley, 170 votes, 55.19 per cent, +4.01swing. Milthorpe , 42 votes, 13.64 per cent +13.64 swing.
• Deniliquin: Ley, 280 votes, 36.08 per cent -12.37 swing. Milthorpe 180 votes, 23.20 per cent +23.20 Swing
• Koondrook: Webster, 359 votes, 54.81 per cent, +8.76 swing. Williams (One Nation) 95 votes, 14.50 per cent, +6.25 swing.
• Cohuna: Webster, 737 votes, 57.58 per cent +22.64 swing. Olsen, 175 votes, 13.67 per cent +4.25 swing.
• Murrabit: Webster, 131 votes, 62.98 per cent, +11.65 swing. Olsen, 25 votes, 12.02 per cent, +4.32 swing.
• Kerang: Webster, 542 votes, 52.42 per cent, +5.99 swing. Olsen, 181 votes, 17.50 per cent, +7.07 swing.
• Kerang North: Webster, 561votes, 59.55 per cent, +7.34 swing. Olsen, 130 votes, 13.80 per cent, +3.44 swing.
• Leitchville: Webster, 162 votes, 54.18 per cent, +25.96 swing. Williams, 39 votes, 13.04 per cent, +10.11 swing.

This article appeared in The Koondrook and Barham Bridge Newspaper, 8 May 2025.