Vic premier holds off conceding Ripon

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews has held off conceding the seat of Ripon preferring to wait for an official result with just 15 votes between winner and loser.

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews says he isn't willing to concede defeat in the seat of Ripon yet. (AAP)

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews isn't ready give the ultra-tight seat of Ripon to the Liberals just yet.

The Victorian Electoral Commission on Saturday declared sitting Liberal MP Louise Staley had won the seat, two weeks after the state election.

"The Ripon District recount preference distribution is now complete, with the Liberal candidate, Louise Staley, successful by 15 votes. A declaration is being arranged for Monday 10 December," the VEC tweeted.

Mr Andrews told reporters on Sunday that with just 15 votes in it, he'd hold off on conceding the seat until the formal declaration on Monday.

"Let's wait and see what the electoral commissioner declares tomorrow. But it would seem the Liberal Party have been able to retain that seat," he said.

The VEC has completed 84 formal declarations for the 88-seat Legislative Assembly since Friday November 30.

The final four districts - Ripon, Benambra, South Barwon and South-West Coast - will be declared on Monday.

The Liberals are expected to also retain Benambra and South-West Coast, while South Barwon will likely go to Labor.

The Andrews government was returned for a second term with solid majority of at leasst 53 seats.

The Liberal party is sitting on 18 now, with shadow attorney-general John Pesutto the opposition's highest profile loser after being pipped by Labor in Hawthorn.

Their coalition partners, the Nationals, have six seats, and the Greens ended with three.

Matthew Guy stood down as Liberal leader following the party's thrashing and was replaced by Michael O'Brien.

The 59th Parliament will be opened on December 19.

The VEC is set to finish counting for the upper house on Tuesday.


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Source: AAP



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