Bill Shorten has conceded defeat for the Labor Party

Bill Shorten has conceded defeat for the Labor Party

Bill Shorten has conceded defeat for the Labor Party at the federal election.
Addressing the media in Melbourne today, the Opposition Leader said it was clear Malcolm Turnbull would form a government.
“I understand we need to make this parliament function and I am up for that,” Mr Shorten said. “Where there is common ground we will work very hard to accomplish it.”
He acknowledged that he phoned Malcolm Turnbull earlier this afternoon to congratulate him and his wife, Lucy.

‘Where there is common ground we will work very hard to accomplish it’ says @billshortenmp. #AusVotes#9News https://t.co/J0Z7Mj7zaf
— Nine News Sydney (@9NewsSyd) July 10, 2016

Mr Shorten also said Labor would “stick true” to its values, referring to Medicare, education and Australian jobs.
“I am proud that Labor is back. I am proud that Labor is united. I’m proud that Labor has found its voice in this election. And I thank all of those who have worked so hard to make this a reality.”
The Coalition currently has 74 of the 76 seats needed to form a majority government, with Labor trailing behind at 66.
Mr Shorten’s press conference comes after Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce said a Coalition win was inevitable, saying “We have won this election”.
EARLIER...
As counting continues over this weekend, Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull looks likely to hold 76 or 77 of the 150 seats in the House of Representatives.
The Queensland seat of Forde, which hung in the balance all week, went to Liberal National Party MP Bert van Manen who leads his Labor challenger by more than 900 votes.
The Coalition is also now leading in Capricornia and Flynn, with the AEC website updating its totals yesterday to show the Coalition leading in 76 seats.
Five seats remain in the balance, with up to three likely to go to the Coalition, as the influx of postal votes mostly favour incumbent Liberal and Nationals members.
The Australian Electoral Commission will continue counting Senate votes on Sunday.
Counting of votes for House of Representatives seats will continue to Friday, which is the deadline for the arrival of last postal votes.
Earlier, Opposition Leader Bill Shorten said he believed Australians would be back at the polls by the end of the year.
Fairfax Media reported on Saturday Mr Shorten told members of his party it was likely the Coalition would hold onto leadership but made the prediction that it wouldn’t be long before Australians found themselves voting again.
“The combination of a PM with no authority, a government with no direction and a Liberal Party at war with itself will see Australians back at the polls within the year,” Mr Shorten said.

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