Labor confident of holding Macquarie

The seat of Macquarie is expected to be a Labor hold, as the Australian Electoral Commission continues counting of federal election votes.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison poses with coalition mps

Prime Minister Scott Morrison is on track to hold at least 77 seats, as counting continues. (AAP)

Labor is growing confident of holding the NSW seat of Macquarie as counting continues following the federal election.

On Wednesday afternoon, Labor candidate Susan Templeman was 284 votes ahead of her Liberal rival Sarah Richards in Macquarie.

At one point during counting on Wednesday Ms Templeman was seven votes behind.

However, Labor leader-elect Anthony Albanese expressed confidence she would hold the seat.

"That's very promising for Susan," he said.

He said Ms Templeman was a "fantastic advocate for people of the Blue Mountains and the Hawkesbury".

"I very much hope that she's able to join the caucus in coming days."

Two other seats remain close.

In the Tasmanian seat of Bass, the Liberals' Bridget Archer is 585 votes ahead of Labor MP Ross Hart.

And in the Brisbane seat of Lilley, Labor's Anika Wells is 917 votes ahead of the Liberals' Brad Carswell.

Mr Morrison's coalition team is leading in 77 seats, with Labor ahead in 68.

Six crossbenchers are also set to win seats in the 151-seat lower house.


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Source: AAP


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