The polls have closed and the vote count has started for the Upper Hunter by-election – and it’s already a very tight race.
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11pm
Both major parties have taken to Facebook after tonight’s results.
While The Nationals maintain a clear lead, no party has claimed victory or conceded defeat as yet.
John Barilaro’s Facebook page – on behalf of candidate Dave Layzell (The Nationals):
“It was the whole world versus Dave Layzell and tonight the booth counts have come in and we’ve been rewarded with the support of the people and the voters of the Upper Hunter.”
Jeff Drayton (Labor) Facebook page:
“After years of our region sending billions down to Sydney and getting nothing in return, I asked the Upper Hunter to give me a chance to fight for our share.
But right now, we aren’t sure whether this community has given me that chance. It’s just too close to call.
No matter what happens over the next few days, I am honoured to have so much support in this community.”
10.30pm
Top votes:
Dave Layzell (The Nationals) – 30.29 per cent
Jeff Drayton (Labor) – 20.21 per cent
Dale McNamara (One Nation) – 13.37 per cent
Sue Gilroy (Shooters, Fishers and Farmers) – 12.49 per cent
Kirsty O’Connell (Independent) – 8.13 per cent
9.15pm
Nationals Leader John Barilaro says he is confident the party has won the seat – “It was the whole world against Dave Layzell, but we out-campaigned Labor.”
9pm
Election Analyst Antony Green makes a call that The Nationals have retained the Upper Hunter seat.
The majority of first preference votes have been counted, however Labor is yet to concede defeat.
A Labor spokesperson says the results are still ‘too close to call.’
”It will be tough for us from here but we remain hopeful that preferences will flow our way.”
It’s understood pre-poll at Muswellbrook won’t be included in tonight’s count.
8.30pm
Dave Layzell (The Nationals) – 31.83 per cent
Jeff Drayton (Labor) – 19.74 per cent
Sue Gilroy (Shooters, Fishers and Farmers) – 11.65 per cent
Dale McNamara (One Nation) – 11.23 per cent
Kirsty O’Connell (Independent) – 8.77 per cent
First preference counts have been reported from 39 of 42 counting centres.
7pm
The Nationals are leading the race – holding more than 31 per cent of the votes counted so far.
Labor has more than 20 per cent, while One Nation is sitting at 11 per cent.
Thirteen candidates eagerly await the final result:
6pm
Final ballots have been filled out, and the polls have officially closed.
More than 40 per cent of voters have already had their say ahead of today.
Almost 23,000 voters voted in-person at early voting centres, or by using postal voting or iVote – the NSW Electoral Commission’s technology assisted internet and telephone voting platform.
Initial results will be regularly updated on the NSW Electoral Commission’s website from 7pm tonight.
The Electoral commission says it will only count two pre-poll booths tonight, at Singleton (approximately 6,500 votes) and Quirindi (approximately 1,000).
It’s understood pre-poll counting will stop at 10:30pm.
