Greens Senator Scott Ludlam says he'll appeal the Australian Electoral Commission's decision not to conduct a recount of votes for Western Australia's Senate seats.
Senator Ludlam asked for a partial recount after a 14-vote difference between two of the micro-parties - the Shooters and Fishers Party, and Australian Christians - sent preferences against him and into the hands of the Palmer United Party's Zhenya "Dio" Wang.
The Australian Sports Party's Wayne Dropulich, who was on track for a shock Senate seat win, requested a full recount.
But the AEC said on Thursday the requests did not identify any specific issues that would have warranted a recount.
"As a result, the requests have been denied," the AEC said in a statement.
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Within moments of the decision being announced, Senator Ludlam said he would appeal to the AEC Electoral Commissioner that afternoon, before the declaration of the poll at 11.30am (WST) on Friday.
"There have been Senate vote recounts both in this state and other jurisdictions when the margin has been far greater, and on more than one occasion those recounts have led to a different result," Senator Ludlam said in a statement.
"In such a marginal decision, with such important consequences for two Senate seats, only a recount can ensure that the votes receive the scrutiny needed to exclude human error.
"As none of the elected senators will be required to take their seats in the Senate before 1 July 2014, there is time to ensure the result is correct."
Senator Ludlam said the AEC had told him it trusted its numbers and his reasons for requesting a recount were effectively not good enough.
And it's understood a recount would have cost the AEC about $1 million.
"I actually think we've got a very strong case so we'll be putting a bit of effort into the appeal over the next couple of hours," he told Fairfax radio.
"There actually is some precedent for this - both in the senate in the 1980s and in the Victorian Legislative Council - and in one or two cases, seats changed on the basis of a recount."
Given the way the preferences flowed, Senator Ludlam needed only eight more votes to keep his seat.
He also said the PUP campaign had obviously been well bankrolled by billionaire Clive Palmer and resonated with disenchanted voters amid a wave of conservatism that had swept the nation.
Senator Ludlam said it was too soon to say what he'd do next if the recount appeal was unsuccessful.
Mr Dropulich was being sought for comment as to whether he would appeal.
AEC state manager Peter Kramer said he sympathised with Senator Ludlam and Mr Dropulich, and the commission had "agonised" over its decision.
"This is people's lives and careers," Mr Kramer told ABC radio.
"I'm sure both candidates are disappointed, but that would be natural."
