Australia votes
The AJN blogged live on election night during the closest election in Australian history.
The AJN blogged live on election night during the closest election in Australian history. We had reporters, camera operators and photographers on the scene in key Jewish seats bringing you all the news throughout the night.
1851 – Shavuah Tov! Polling booths have just closed and counting has just started.
1906 – Malcolm Turnbull is predicting a huge swing to the Libs in Wentworth. “We could have 60% of primary vote, which would be amazing” he said.
1921 – Good friend of Israel Dr Mike Kelly looking good to hold his very marginal seat of Eden Monaro.
2005 – Liberal Kevin Ekendahl and supporters are at the Alma Club in Melbourne Ports. Subdued atmosphere, it will be a hard fight against Michael Danby.
2008 – Festivities also well underway in blue-ribbon Kooyong, as Liberal Josh Frydenberg gathers with supporters in Balwyn.
2014 – Labor’s Steven Lewis in Wentworth hasn’t conceded but admits to The AJN that it is going to be tough
2017 – In Melbourne Ports a cry rises at Liberal Kevin Ekendahl’s event as early results come in. Looking like Greens have gained, but Michael Danby looks safe
2020 – “Melbourne Ports is looking good” Danby says and thanks supporters in St Kilda. Predicts swing to the Greens in the seat. Ekendahl tell supporters he will be back next time if defeated.
2022 – Cheers in Wentworth from Steven Lewis supporters as Julia Gillard retains Lalor
2023 – Boos in Wentworth from Steven Lewis supporters as Abbott retains Warringah
2024 – Danby supporters reading out good results for Labor from polling booths in Melbourne Ports
2029 – ABC announces Malcolm Turnbull has retained Wentworth for the Liberal Party
2038 – Malcolm Turnbull expected to declare victory in Wentworth for the Liberals in about 15 minutes. Stay tuned!
2039 – Josh Frydenberg also appears about to declare victory for the Liberals in Kooyong. First Jewish Liberal MP in Canberra EVER
2041 – Liberal Ekendahl in Melbourne Ports said The Greens vote has come from young Elwood and St Kilda renters. Greens in Melbourne Ports have done very, very well, but preferences are mostly going to Labor
2048 – Mark Dreyfus is doing very well in Isaacs, more than half the vote counted and 3% swing to him.
2105 – Rabbis have just arrived at Liberal Malcolm Turnbull’s election event in droves
2107 – Constant cheers at Josh Frydenberg’s event in Kooyong at Liberal success
2110 – Great call at ALP event in Wentworth/Kingsford Smith – Peter Garrett’s mike fails and someone asks ‘where’s the roadie?’
2113 – Steven Lewis has conceded for the ALP in Wentworth.
2114 – Josh Frydenberg’s campaign manager “he had a great day, the mood is unbelievable, a credit to him and the work he has done”
2117 – It’s official – Josh Frydenberg is Australia’s 1st ever Jewish Liberal MP. Mazal Tov Josh! Now he is concentrating on his party winning government.
2120 – Wentworth Liberal Malcolm Turnbull calls Liberals on the verge of winning government
2123 – Labor’s Michael Danby congratulates his team on winning Melbourne Ports
2130 – Danby says he is proud of cosmopolitan, multicultural Melbourne Ports and says his voice will be heard loud in Canberra
2133 – Liberal Ekendahl thanks his supporters in Melbourne Ports over pizza
2141 – So that is all the Jewish battlegrounds declared. Melbourne Ports – ALP retain but with huge swing to Greens. Wentworth – Liberals retain easily. Big wins for Mark Dreyfus and Josh Frydenberg. All the analysis online on Sunday and in Thursday’s print edition.
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