2019 Federal election in Bendigo, Australia: Live updates

The Liberals' struggled to get their tax messages through to the Bendigo electorate, candidate Sam Gayed says.

The party's vote cratered in Bendigo, reaching lows not seen since 2010, before Lisa Chesters took the seat and before it was classed as marginal.

But the party's tax and economic management messages resonated with people in other parts of the country, Mr Gayed says.

Read Mr Gayed's thoughts on what happened in Bendigo by clicking here.

1.20pm

Bendigo Greens candidate Nakita Thomson is unlikely to pick up a Senate seat.

It was always going to be a long shot because she sat fourth down the Greens' list on the Senate voting forms.

The Greens are optimistic about the chances of lead candidate Janet Rice getting re-elected once preferences are distributed.

The party attracted 11.71 per cent of preferences, according to the latest data from the Australian Electoral Commission.

That is not enough to get Senator Rice elected, but Greens Bendigo candidate Robert Holian says his party is optimistic about her chances.

Both Labor and the Liberals have enough votes to take two of the six spots on offer in Victoria, based on above-the-line results.

12.40pm

Are you wondering what is going to happen to the tens-of-millions of dollars Labor pledged for Bendigo projects?

The Liberals did not promise any funds for Bendigo-specific projects during the election.

Labor promised about $30 million for projects in or just outside the electorate, including

Member for Bendigo Lisa Chesters hopes an incoming regional development minister will take on her plans, after the Liberal party pledged nothing for Bendigo-specific projects.

Click here for the story.

11.50am

Labor's messages about the "good stuff" failed to reach struggling workers, the party's member for Bendigo says.

A lot of soul searching was needed as the party grapples with the election defeat, Lisa Chesters said.

Here's what she thinks happened as the party braced for more years in the wilderness,

8.30am

It is unclear this morning if the Coalition can form government without help from the cross bench.

It may come down to the Tasmanian seat of Bass, where 321 votes separate the Liberal's Bridget Archer from incumbent Ross Hart, of the Labor party.

A win there could help deliver the 76 seats Scott Morrison needs to form a majority government.

Counting set to resume this morning in close seats of Boothby, Chisolm, Cowan, Macquarie, Wentworth and Lilley, the AEC said in a statement late last night.

It will also continue in the seat of Bendigo, where Labor's Lisa Chesters declared victory.

Just over 20 per cent of Bendigo's votes are still to be counted, many of them pre-poll votes.

They will decide whether Ms Chesters presides for the first time over a safe seat.

She has 59.32 per cent of the two-party preferred vote, according to the latest Australian Electoral Commission figures.

Final tallies have not been that high since long-running Labor MP Steve Gibbons harnessed 59.53 per cent of the two-party preferred vote in 2010.

She was first elected in 2013 with a razor-thin 51.26 per cent of the two-party preferred vote over the Liberals.

In 2016, she had 53.74 per cent.

12.07am

Back on board for a minute - Scott Morrison has emerged to deliver his victory speech, flanked by his wife and daughters.

Mr Morrison said tonight was not about himself or the Liberals, but "every single Australian who depends on their government to put them first".

"I said that I was going to burn for you and I am, every single day," he said.

He said he believed in miracles and listed some of the Coalition victories around the country.

Mr Morrison also thanked Tony Abbott - who lost the seat of Warringah to Zali Steggall - for his service.

There's more election coverage to come tomorrow on the Bendigo Advertiser website.

Thanks for joining us today.

11.50pm

Scott Morrison is set to remain Prime Minister after Bill Shorten admitted defeat a short time ago.

At 11.47pm, the Australian Electoral Commission tally had the Coalition leading in 71 seats, Labor in 68 seats, independents in four seats and the Greens in one seat.

So far, 91.94 per cent of polling places have been counted.

The Coalition needs to win 76 seats to form a majority government.

And on that note, the Bendigo Advertiser team is stepping away from the live election coverage tonight.

Visit our website again tomorrow for updates and more election news.

11.40pm

Bill Shorten has announced he will stand down as leader of the Labor party.

"Labor's next victory will belong to the next leader, and I'm confident victory will come at the next election," Mr Shorten said.

11.35pm

Labor leader Bill Shorten has conceded defeat in the federal election.

"It is obvious that Labor will not be able to form the next government," Mr Shorten said.

He said he called Scott Morrison a short time ago to congratulate him.

11.30pm

Lisa Chesters said tonight's result in Bendigo was "phenomenal".

"It's wonderful to know you put a plan out there and the people of Bendigo the electorate get behind you," she said.

Read more about what Ms Chesters and Liberal candidate Sam Gayed had to say of the result, here.

10.40pm

Helen Haines has become the first independent to succeed an independent in a federal seat, after claiming victory in Indi.

Ms Haines was chosen by the Voices of Indi to succeed former member for Indi Cathy McGowan, with Ms McGowan describing the pair as being from the 'same stable'.

Speaking to her orange supporters Dr Haines claimed victory:

10.10pm

A quick "around the grounds" to see how we're looking.

Here in Bendigo, 57 of 61 polling places have been returned, with 43.78 per cent of the votes counted.

In Ballarat, Labor incumbent MP Catherine King has enjoyed a swing of 5.23 per cent and has taken the seat again. She has received 28,293 first preferences, or 48.49 per cent of the vote. Liberals' Tim Vo scored 17,168 preferences or 29.43 per cent of the vote. Just over 53 per cent of the votes have been counted.

In Mallee, Anne Webster will succeed Andrew Broad of the Nationals member. With 87 of 94 polling places returned, she holds 29.7 per cent of the first preference count - a swing against the party of 27.34 per cent. The Liberals, who normally do not compete against their Coalition partner in the safe Nationals seat, received 17.49 per cent of the vote with Serge Petrovich. Labor's Carole Hart received 15.82 per cent of first preference votes, and Independent Ray Kingston, 11.41 per cent. Almost 43 per cent of the votes have been counted.

In Indi, it is a tight race between Liberal Steve Martin and Independent Helen Haines. The former has received 24,929 first preference votes so far, or 35.37 per cent. The latter has 22,663 votes, or 32.16 per cent. 73 of 76 polling places have been returned, with 47.88 per cent of votes counted.

9.50pm

In Indi, Helen Haines isn't expecting a result tonight.

She is leading the two-candidate preferred vote with 51.79 per cent of counted votes, to Liberal Steve Martin's 48.21 per cent.

73 of 76 polling booths have been returned, with 47.88 per cent of votes counted.

9.24pm

Despite Labor candidate Lisa Chesters claiming victory in the seat of Bendigo, Liberal candidate Sam Gayed remains optimistic about the overall federal result.

"I'm very happy for the Coalition, it's looking very good... Maybe in Bendigo it's not looking as good, but if the Coalition wins that's what we want, we can try again in Bendigo next time," Mr Gayed said

A first-time candidate in this election, Mr Gayed said he learnt a lot.

He said he was doing well until the last week of the campaign, but some coverage did not go as he had hoped and if he were to do it again, he would make improvements.

8.59pm

A lot of support for Lisa Chesters on our live Facebook video of her declaring victory.

But this particular comment made us laugh:

Possibly not the best way to choose who to vote for, Lisa W, but at least you backed a winner!

8.55pm

Former prime minister Tony Abbott has become the biggest casualty of the day, losing his seat to independent Zali Steggall.

Key Liberal figures pointed to Mr Abbott's opposition to ambitious action on climate change, and role in the downfall of Malcolm Turnbull, to him falling out of favour with local voters.

Mr Abbott told supporters at a rally there was "every chance the Liberal-National coalition has won this election".

"It is a stupendous result," Mr Abbott said.

"Scott Morrison will quite rightly enter the Liberal Pantheon forever." Read more.

8.47pm

Labor's Lisa Chesters has claimed victory in the seat of Bendigo, saying it is Labor's strongest result in the electorate in decades.

She is at Trades Hall with supporters.

Bendigo West MP Maree Edwards said Liberals promised nothing for the electorate and the Nationals had deserted it.

Both Ms Chesters and Ms Edwards have thanked supporters for their work in helping deliver the result.

The region's state and federal Labor MPs say they are a strong team.

"Our success breeds one another's success," Mary-Anne Thomas said.

8.33pm

Here's Lisa Chesters! She is celebrating a Bendigo victory at Trades Hall:

8.21pm

Could the Coalition have this?

Well, Antony Green hasn't called it, so it's still up in the air.

But the Libs-Nats are currently ahead of Labor, holding 61 seats to 59. With 32.8 per cent of the votes counted, the ABC says there are 24 seats left in doubt.

Remember, a party needs 76 seats to win.

8.14pm

Let's look at how the swings are going from the 2016 election to now.

In 2016, Labor, Liberals, The Greens, and Rise Up Australia Party all ran, along with the Nationals, Family First, Animal Justice Party and Independent Anita Donlon.

With 42 of 61 polling places returned and 28.22 per cent of votes counted, Labor has experienced a 5.10 per cent swing in the first preference count.

The Greens have also had a swing towards them of 1.4 per cent.

However, the Liberals and Rise Up Australia Party have both experienced swings away from their parties - the former of 7.13 per cent, and the latter of 0.92 per cent.

8.10pm

The projected two-candidate preferred for Bendigo, via the Australian Electoral Commission:

8.09pm

Over in Indi, with only 16 polling places left uncounted Liberal Steve Martin remains in front with 49.75 per cent of the vote.

Mr Martin has received 10,787 votes, with a 7.76 per cent swing to his party, while Voices for Indi independent Helen has received 9954 votes.

8.06pm

Tributes to the late Bob Hawke already hang in Bendigo's Trades Hall.

Yesterday, a Labor life member who served Bendigo during the Hawke era reflected on when the former PM came to the city.

He described the visits on incredible.

"He was like a rock star in those days, there's no doubt about that," Fabian Reid says.

Read more tributes from the region to Hawke here.

7.58pm

Lisa Chesters is flying ahead with 14,445 first preference votes, or 44.62 per cent of the vote.

Here's what Ms Chesters has to say:

Twenty per cent of the votes have been counted.

7.53pm

In Bendigo, it's a festive mood in Trades Hall, where Labor supporters have gathered with Lisa Chesters.

7.45pm

In the Mallee, there has been a swing away from the Nationals but the party is still set for a safe victory.

The seat was in the spotlight this election, with a number of independents running.

Anne Webster will succeed Andrew Broad for the Nats.

7.40pm

And Tony Abbott is likely to lose his seat of Warringah!

Early counting shows huge primary vote for Independent Zali Steggall.

Initial polling results put Tony Abbott, who held the seat on a margin of 11 per cent, in a dangerous position.

7.38pm

In Bendigo, 22 of 61 polling places returned and 10.57 per cent. of votes counted. It's early days yet but Lisa Chesters must be feeling pretty confident...

7.29pm

Labor's Lisa Chesters is close to breaking 10,000 first preference votes!

Her closest competitor is Liberals' Sam Gayed, with 5946 votes.

In the two-candidate preferred count, Ms Chesters has a swing of 6.56 at this stage.

7.22pm

Steve Martin remains the front-runner in Indi where more than half of the 76 polling places have been returned.

With results of 42 booths in, Mr Martin has received 5215 votes, followed closely by Helen Haines with 5013 votes.

There has been a 7.70 per cent swing to Liberal.

7.16pm

With 13 of 61 polling places returned, Lisa Chesters has 60.29 per cent of the two-candidate preferred vote.

ABC has called it already - that Ms Chesters will retain Bendigo.

It also has Labor retaining its Ballarat seat, while Liberals are set to retain Wannon.

7.12pm

Looking nationally, Labor has taken a commanding lead with 31.71 per cent of the first preferences.

Liberals hold 22.31 per cent of the vote.

7.03pm

Back to Bendigo, and more than 7000 formal and informal votes have been counted.

Labor's Lisa Chesters has 42.69 per cent of the first preference votes so far; Sam Gayed, 31.46 per cent; and Robert Holian, 10.57 per cent.

7pm

Over in the Mallee, independent candidate Ray Kingston has arrived at the Railway hotel in Murtoa.

From left, Greg and Bec Dunlop, Mr Kingston and his wife Whitney and 10-year-old Charlie Arnts.

Mr Kingston is currently polling forth in the Mallee. Nationals' Anne Webster has the top first preference vote so far with 30.20 per cent, Labor's Carole Hart is second with 17.31 per cent, and Liberals' Serge Petrovich third with 16.73 per cent.

6.51pm

From the Australian Electoral Commission website, the two-party preferred graph right now:

Four polling places have been returned for two-candidate preferred votes - Eppalock, Epsom North, Raywood and the Bendigo divisional office (pre-poll).

6.47pm

Now we're rolling!

First preference votes have been returned for seven polling places now, and Lisa Chesters continues to keep the lead with 1106 votes, or 42.9 per cent of the vote.

Sam Gayed has 32.2 per cent of the vote, Robert Holian 10.71 per cent, Vaughan Williams 6.4 per cent, and Adam Veitch 4.73 per cent.

Rise Up Australia Party'S Sharon Budde has overtaken Fraser Anning's Conservative National Party Julie Hoskin by one vote - 40 to 39. They hold 1.55 and 1.51 per cent of the vote respectively.

Still plenty more polling places to be counted...

6.40pm

The first primary votes for Bendigo are in!

Incumbent member, Labor's Lisa Chesters, is leading the pack with 581 votes, or 45.36 per cent of the vote.

Liberal candidate Sam Gayed follows with 32.01 per cent of the vote - 410 votes.

Greens candidate Robert Holian has 125 votes, 11.94 per cent.

United Australia Party's Adam Veitch received 53 votes and Vaughan Williams 52 votes - 4.14 and 4.06 per cent of the vote respectively.

Julie Hoskin of Fraser Anning's Conservative National Party received 18 votes, 1.41 per cent of the vote.

Finally, Rise Up Australia Party candidate Sharon Budde has got 14 votes, or 1.09 per cent.

6.30pm

We're yet to hear any news from the Bendigo division, but the action has started in the marginal seat of Indi!

Votes from the Springhurst booth are in with Steve Martin receiving the most first preference votes, with a 15.03 swing towards the Liberals.

Helen Robinson, the Greens, received two votes, or 1.23 per cent of the vote.

Jason Whalley of Derryn Hinch's Justice Party received six votes, 3.70 per cent of the vote.

Helen Haines received 47 votes, 29.01 per cent.

Mark Byatt, the Nationals received 29 votes, 17.90 per cent, with a -12.70 swing against the Nationals.

Shane Wheatland of the United Australia Party received nine votes, 5.56 per cent.

Eric Kerr, Labor, received 10 votes or 6.17 per cent of the vote.

6.29pm

Despite their obviously differing political views, volunteers for this year's candidates say they've enjoyed a good day with each other.

Ben Goldsmith, a Greens member since 2014, was at the Eaglehawk Senior Citizens polling place today.

He said all the volunteers there were friendly and talkative.

"At the end of the day, we all want what's best for the country - we might have different ideas on what that is, but no one is here for any malicious reason," he said.

Animal Justice Party volunteer Glynn Jarrett shared a similar sentiment over at Crusoe Secondary College in Kangaroo Flat.

"We all get on, we chat, it's almost like a festive atmosphere for us," Mr Jarrett said, adding that at the end of the day, all the volunteers did the work "from the heart".

"How wonderful is democracy that we get to be here?" he said.

6pm

PEN'S DOWN! Polling places are officially closed.

Now to wait for the results to roll in...

5.50pm

If you're yet to vote, you've got just 10 minutes left to get to a polling booth and have your say.

Wondering what happens next?

This video from the Australian Electoral Commission is a handy guide to how the vote counting process works:

5.44pm

From Twitter...

5.20pm

Trevor Pearse has been at Lightning Reef PS since 8am handing out how to vote cards.

A "seasoned campaigner", he says he's turned from the Liberals to the United Australia Party this election because he's concerned about the country's manufacturing future.

Meanwhile, Labor volunteer Jessica Ireland and Liberal volunteer Renee Halsall were the first two volunteers handing out information at Junortoun this morning.

They clock off at 6pm tonight after 10 hours on their feet.

Ms Ireland said a number of voters talk about environment issues such as plant and animal pests but most had made up their mind before arriving to vote.

"A lot of people seem to know exactly who they were voting for," she said. "Others grabbed one information sheet from everyone and use that to decide."

In Kennington Matt Kelly was volunteering for the Liberal Party before heading in to the city to help scrutineer the vote count.

"I did the same for the state election as well," he said.

"It's been even split between Labor, the Liberals and the Greens today. I think its been fairly balanced in terms of (people taking information).

"People haven't really discussed why they have voted which way. A lot of people look at whats in it for them whether that's economy, health, schools or infrastructure."

Joel Ziffer was helping the Greens Party in Strathfieldsaye.

"It's been quite a pleasant day. I think there has been a little more interest in the Greens but it's not too different to the state election or the 2016 (federal) election," he said.

"Climate change has been a big issue for people."

5.08pm

Not long to go...

4.51pm

Do you remember the first time you voted in a federal election?

For Thomas Harlow, 18, that time was today.

He said his interest in politics was starting to grow now that he got to have a say at the ballot box.

"I put the Greens first and feel like climate change is one of the biggest issues facing us," he said.

"It's all over social media and we need to fix it."

On coming to a decision who to vote for, Thomas said it was difficult.

"There's a lot to take in," he said. "There's a lot of people trying to shove information in your face. It's a bit much."

Climate change was the deciding factor for 20-year-old Blake Denbrook, who voted in a federal election for the first time today.

"I haven't been too happy with some of the choices (on the ballot) butit hasn't been a bad experience," he said.

"Climate change and helping the environment was a big reason to vote (for me). It's the big problem that needs fixing before anything else."

4.30pm

No matter your politics, there's one thing that always brings people together... puppies!

Thanks to Jen Andrews for sharing this pic.

3.40pm

Let's take a look back at the last federal election...

In the 2016 election, Labor's Lisa Chesters reclaimed the seat of Bendigo for a second term with almost 54 per cent of the vote, a 2.48 per cent swing in her favour on a two-party basis.

Ms Chesters attracted 38.35 per cent of first preferences, followed by Liberal candidate Megan Purcell with 37.9 per cent and Greens candidate 11.02 per cent.

In total, 102,208 votes were cast for the Bendigo electorate at the last election - a turnout of 93.25 per cent of people enrolled to vote.

Of the votes, 95.4 per cent were formal and 4.6 per cent informal.

3pm

SportsBet is listing a Labor victory in Bendigo at $1.04. The Coalition is at odds of $8.50.

One Nation's odds of $31 are ahead of The Greens on $41. Rise Up Australia Party and United Australia Party are running at $51 each.

Fraser Anning's Conservative National Party rounds out the Bendigo betting odds with $101.

2pm

A total of 42,848 people pre-polled in the lead-up to today's federal election.

On the final day of pre-poll voting, 5652 people headed to the ballot box.

Among them was this group of Red Hat Society members who didn't want the federal election ruin the plans to visit Bendigo.

They enjoyed coffee at the Royal Tram, a Cobb and Co Carriage ride and a visit to the royal portraits exhibition in Bendigo.

"We had to vote early because we were coming here from Kyabram," they said.

1.05pm

Incumbent Labor MP Lisa Chesters and Liberal candidate Sam Gayed both visited the ballot boxes at lunch.

Ms Chesters cast her vote at Epsom Primary School after campaign at Strathfieldsaye in the morning.

In her this federal election campaign, Ms Chesters said nerves played less of a role.

"It gets easier because you're not as nervous," she said.

"Strathfieldsaye is one of our harder booths. People in that area really think about how they're going to vote and it's a bit of a 50-50 area for us, so I wanted to be there on election day.

"There's some relief at 6pm (when voting closes) and there's nothing more you can do. It's down to the counting. It's not until I see the broadcast results that I get a bit nervous."

Mr Gayed said he had enjoyed his first time as a federal candidate.

"We've worked really hard. I believe we could reach most of constituents, that's what I'm most proud of. I'm happy I have had this chance," he said.

"Seeing everyone thinking about our democracy and making a decision based on values and policies is really enjoyable to see.

"I have enjoyed the experience, learnt many things."

11.40am

Greens candidate Robert Holian voted in Flora Hill this morning.

As his campaign prepared to wrap up, he said he had thoroughly enjoyed the experience.

"It's been a fantastic experience," he said. "It's the first time I have done anything like this and I believe the ideas the Greens are putting forward are really resonating with the community."

He said a desire to contribute to fighting climate change made him run for office.

"At some stage in recognising the climate emergency we're in, I came to a point of being sick of whinging about other people doing nothing. I wanted to get in there and do something myself to contribute," he said.

11am

At Creek Street Christian College, the school is raising money for its sister school in Fiji with a barbecue decorated with bright flowers.

Principal Coral Maxwell said they hoped to improve the school's facilities.

"Our relationship with our sister school is 10 years this year but this is the first time we have had a fundraiser on election day for this cause," she said.

"The money raised will tile floors in their classroom. At the moment it is bare concrete with vinyl that wears out quickly."

10.45am

The Democracy Sausage has a big say in where some voters choose to cast their ballot.

At St Paul's Cathedral, volunteers are catering for everyone with gluten-free and vegetarian sausage available along with a range of vegan, dairy-free and gluten-free cakes.

Volunteer Sandy Birch said there was a lot of choice in the homemade cakes.

"Whenever we do catering we have gluten-free, dairy-free and vegan cakes," she said.

"We have even used a recipe from the depression era that has no eggs, butter and milk.

"We also have gluten-free and vegetarian sausages being cooked separately. We were featured on a local Facebook page about our sausage sizzle so hopefully we have more visitors than normal."

9.40am

Volunteers set up early today, getting to polling centres well before they opened at 8am.

At St Paul's Cathedral, Labor party volunteer Luke Martin had started his day at 4am.

"I have volunteered at all the elections for the last 15 years," Mr Martin said.

"Dedication gets me up in the morning, my day finishes here at 4pm and then I go to Trades Hall to do the tech support.

"After that, depending on the result, I'll either celebrate or drown my sorrows."

Also volunteering at St Paul's is Keysha Veitch. Her father Adam Veitch is running as a candidate for the United Australia Party.

"He's my dad, I'll do anything to help him get as many votes as he can," she said.

"As his daughter I see the campaign from a different view. It's very tiring and a lot of hard work that not everyone sees get put in. But it's amazing."

If you're unsure of where to vote today, you can find out all the details from our election day guide.

Even better, here are the polling sites where you can get a democracy sausage or some other treat - and support a good cause in the process.

Of course, there's a chance you might have already had your say - almost one in three people enrolled in the Bendigo electorate took advantage of early voting.

But if not, make sure you get your vote in by 6pm sharp. Polling places open at 8am.

If you're voting in the Bendigo electorate, you have seven candidates for the House of Representatives:

Meanwhile, Bendigo's Nakita Thomson is standing on the Greens' all-women senate ticket.

Have you signed up to the Bendigo Advertiser's daily newsletter and breaking news emails? You can register below and make sure you are up to date with everything that's happening in central Victoria.