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Senate race remains wide open

The Liberal and National parties appear set to hold at least 30 seats in the new Senate, but the final result remains unclear.

3 min read

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Source: AAP


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A new analysis shows the battle for 12 seats will hold the key to who holds the balance of power in the Senate.

ABC election analyst Antony Green has calculated the coalition would almost certainly win at least 30 out of the 76 Senate seats, with Labor taking 25, the Greens six and the Nick Xenophon Team three.

However, the final outcome - which will determine how hard or easy it is for the government to deliver on their election promises - remains unclear.

In NSW, with the coalition winning five seats, Labor four and the Greens one, there would be two seats in doubt.

Mr Green said one of the two seats would be fought between the fifth Labor and second Green candidates, with history favouring Labor.

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"The final seat is likely to be won by a party of the right, either the coalition winning a sixth seat with less than a quota on preferences, or a minor party winning on coalition preferences," he wrote in a new analysis.

In the ACT and Northern Territory, Labor and the coalition were expected to return one senator each.

Queensland would deliver five coalition, four Labor and one Greens senator.

One of the two remaining seats will be fought between the coalition and minor parties, the other between Labor, the Greens and minor parties including Katter's Australian Party, Pauline Hanson's One nation and the Glenn Lazarus Team.

The South Australian race is a little more opaque with a certain three coalition, two Labor and two NXT senators.

Mr Green says it is probable the coalition, Labor and NXT would pick up an extra seat each, leaving two seats to fill - potentially the Greens and Family First.

In Tasmania, long-term averages point to the coalition taking four seats, Labor four and the Greens two.

The remaining two seats could go to the coalition and sitting independent Jacqui Lambie, but there's a chance the former Palmer United Party senator could pick up a team mate.

Victorian voters are likely to deliver five coalition, four Labor and one Greens senator.

One of the two remaining seats will be fought between the fifth Labor and second Green candidate, but a minor party could be in the mix for the final spot.

In Western Australia, the Liberals are set to take five Senate seats to Labor's four and one Greens.

The Nationals, running a separate ticket to their coalition partners, could take a seat while Labor and the Greens will vie for the final spot.


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