WHERE WE ARE WITH THE VOTE COUNT
WITH NEARLY TWO THIRDS OF THE 15 MILLION VOTES ALLOCATED:
Labor 50.2pc
Coalition 49.8pc
Swing against the coalition 3.7pc
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THE SEAT COUNT SO FAR:
Coalition 70
Labor 67
Greens 1
Independent 4
In doubt 8
HANGING IN THE BALANCE:
* Capricornia (Nationals QLD): Sitting LNP MP Michelle Landry is trailing by 732 votes in this Rockhampton-based seat. In 2013 postals flowed strongly to the LNP to give them a narrow victory. It could happen again.
* Chisholm (Labor VIC): Given to the Liberals on the night but late counting favoured Labor's Stefanie Perri. She now trails Julia Banks by 1394 votes. Postal votes went strongly to the Libs in 2013 which gives them an edge this time around.
* Cowan (Liberal WA): Looked like a Labor gain on election night but its candidate Anne Aly might get run down by postal votes by the time the count is finalised on Friday week. Sitting MP Luke Simpkins picked up 62 per cent of them in 2013. That would be more than enough to make up the 777 votes he's behind at the moment.
* Dunkley (Liberal VIC): A 5.3 per cent swing against the government has put this Liberal seat on the Mornington Peninsula in doubt. Liberal Chris Crewther is leading by 1387 votes. Postals likely to break his way.
* Forde (LNP QLD): Sitting MP Bert van Manen now leads Labor's Des Hardman by 265 votes in this Logan electorate south of Brisbane. Postals likely to favour the Libs. Should fall their way.
* Gilmore (Liberal NSW): Liberal Ann Sudmalis leads by 991 votes. Postals likely to get her over the line in this NSW south coast seat.
* Herbert (LNP QLD): Sitting MP Ewen Jones is trailing Labor's Cathy O'Toole by 620 votes, but the race is far from over in the Townsville-based seat. Postals, especially from defence personnel, will strongly flow to Jones. Line-ball.
* Hindmarsh (Liberal SA): Former Labor MP Steve Georganas leads by 151 votes. Sitting Liberal MP Matt Williams will have to rely on postals in this Adelaide seat. Down to the wire.
BEST-GUESS OUTCOME:
Coalition 76
Labor 69
Greens 1
Independents 4
SEATS LABOR PICKED UP FROM THE COALITION:
Bass, Braddon, Lyons (TAS); Burt (WA); Eden-Monaro, Lindsay, Macarthur, Macquarie (NSW); Flynn, Longman (QLD); Solomon (NT)
COALITION LOSS TO NICK XENOPHON TEAM
Mayo (SA)
LIKELY SENATE OUTCOME
Coalition 30
Labor 27
Greens 9
Nick Xenophon Team 3
Independents 7
