The first preference count for Saturday’s election was completed yesterday, except for a handful of postal votes, and the final result is expected next week, the Act Electoral Commission announced yesterday. Commissioner Phil Green said Molonglo preferences would be distributed today (SAT). Some distribution of preferences would be done in and Ginninderra and Brindabella tomorrow (SUN). “”A declaration of the poll is expected sometime next week,” he said.
General opinion suggests the most likely result is: Liberal 7, Labor 6, Green 2, Moore 1 and Osborne 1. On that result Kate Carnell is likely to be Chief Minister with Paul Osborne’s and Michael Moore’s support. However, Mr Osborne is fighting the Greens Andrew Parratt in Brindabella for the last seat and it may come down to a few hundred votes. If Mr Parratt wins a Labor Government supported in one form or another by the Greens is possible. There is also a remote possibility that Moore Independent Helen Szuty could beat the Green for the last seat in Ginninderra. There is virtually no chance of the Liberals winning a third seat in Brindabella or Ginninderra. Counting of first preferences in the past few chances has not changed that overall position. The referendum has been passed with 65 per cent of the formal vote voting Yes, comprising about 55 per cent of those on the roll.