The 2019 Australian federal election was held on Saturday 18 May 2019 to elect members of the 46thParliament of Australia. The election had been called following the dissolution of the 45th Parliament as elected at the 2016 double dissolution federal election. All 151 seats in the House of Representatives (lower house) and 40 of the 76 seats in the Senate (upper house) were up for election.
The second-term incumbent minority Coalition Government, led by Prime Minister Scott Morrison, was attempting to win a third three-year term against the Labor opposition, led by Opposition Leader Bill Shorten. Minor parties and independents also contested the election, the most popular of which were the Greens, One Nation, and the United Australia Party, according to nationwide opinion polls. The Greens, Centre Alliance, and Katter's Australian Party successfully defended one House of Representatives seat each.
Australia has mandatory voting and a record 16.4 million voters enrolled for the election, which returns a new House of Representatives and just over half of the seats in the Senate
Unlike many other global democracies, Australia has mandatory voting for people aged 18 and over - or they risk a fine.
This year has seen a record 96.8% enrolment rate. In contrast, the most recent recent US and UK elections drew an estimated 55% and 69% respectively.
Advocates say the mandatory system depolarises the vote and reduces the influence of lobby groups, though critics dispute this.
Voting has also been open for three weeks already. More than four million people, about a quarter of voters, have already cast their ballot at "pre-polling" booths.
Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison is edging closer to a majority government as the election's final results are being counted.
Scott Morrison only became prime minister last August, after bitter party infighting ousted his predecessor, Malcolm Turnbull.
In doing so, Scott Morrison became Australia's fifth leader since 2013
His conservative coalition has defied polls and is leading on 75 seats, the Australian Electoral Commission says. Seventy-six are needed for a majority.
"I've always believed in miracles," Mr Morrison told supporters in his victory speech on Saturday night.
Exit polls had predicted a Labor Party win for the first time in six years.
Labor leader Bill Shorten resigned in the wake of his party's surprise defeat, telling members: "It is obvious that Labor will not be able to form the next government."
He will not seek re-election as party leader.
The final result may not be known for some hours, but with more than 76% of votes counted the Liberal-National Coalition has won or is ahead in 75 seats, with Labor trailing on 67 seats.
If the coalition fails to win an outright majority it will need the help of independent MPs to govern.
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