Anthony Albanese claimed victory in the 2022 Federal Election after the ABC and multiple outlets projected Labor will return to government. However, it remains unclear whether they will form a majority government. Prime Minister Scott Morrison conceded defeat and announced his intention to step aside as Liberal leader.

It was known as the Pandemic Election which highlighted difficulties in keeping the democracy wheel turning as the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) faced staff shortages in polling places due to COVID-19. 105,000-strong temporary election workforce were on deck yesterday for their dedication to delivering democracy, Commissioner Tom Rogers said that election day, in a pandemic election, posed challenges never seen before in Austraian electoral history.

“Some polling places had fewer staff than planned due to COVID and flu impacts, and polling officials worked long days but the team rallied together to collect the votes and get through the election night count – delivering an election night result to Australia once again. It is also incredibly pleasing that the vast majority of Australians reported a smooth voting experience, including secure telephone voting for people in isolation with COVID-19.”
– Commissioner Tom Rogers, AEC

But the democracy sausages, a tradition of Australian Elections, kept rolling on and by 6pm local time the polls started closing the and the count began.

And then the independents and Greens flipped the table.

The Australian Greens won two seats in Brisbane City, with candidates Max Chandler-Mather in the seat of Griffith snatching it from Labor and Elizabeth Watson-Brown in the seat of Brisbane seizing that from the Liberal National party. Adam Bandt will also keep his seat of Melbourne as his party finishes with its best result yet. Adam Bandt said in the possibility of a Labor Minority Government: “If we do find ourselves in that minority parliament, our approach will be to ensure we have stable and effective and progressive government”.

But the big story of the night, 5 independents are projected to boot out 5 major party seats including the sitting Treasurer and Minister for Defence. Sydney doctor Sophie Scamps, who was challenging Liberal Jason Falinski for the NSW seat of Mackellar, was the first win among the teal independents last night with 53% of the primary vote as of this posting.

“This is about genuinely trying to represent our community and take our voice and values to Canberra. We’re super excited. This is a win for democracy”
– Dr Sophie Scamps, Independent.

Sitting Liberal MP Trent Zimmerman has conceded his loss to independent candidate Kylea Tink in the seat of North Sydney. The seat has been held by the Liberal Party since 1996, after it was briefly held by an independent. Finance Minister Simon Birmingham said the loss, also 53%, was a “devastating blow” for the Coalition.

Allegra Spender looks likely to claim the NSW seat of Wentworth from Liberal MP Dave Sharma, who has previously faced tough contests against independents for the seat. Spender is a businesswoman who was the managing director for fashion labels Carla Zampatti and Bianca Spender. The seat of Wentworth was once represented by former Liberal prime minister Malcolm Turnbull, and fell to an independent when he quit parliament. It was won back by Liberal MP Dave Sharma at the last election who has now lost to his independent opponent by atleast 57%.

If Monique Ryan wins in her seat of Kooyong, it will be one of the biggest stories of the night. Dr Ryan is facing off against Treasurer Josh Frydenberg, not only one of the most senior members of the government, but also tipped as a future leader of the Liberal Party. She currently leads at 54% with 67% of the vote counted. Dr Ryan has spent her career in medicine and public health, and says she’s definitely not a politician, but was driven to run over frustration at government inaction on climate change.

Zali Steggall has kept her seat of Warringah and appears to have increased her lead from the last election by 5%. Zali Steggall drew massive attention when she claimed the seat of Warringah on Sydney’s North Shore from former prime minister Tony Abbott. She sits with a lead of 62% of the vote. Zali Steggall was widely predicted to win against Liberal contender Katherine Deves, who brought significant attention to the contest over her controversial views on transgender people.

The bayside seat of Goldstein in Melbourne has been held by the Liberal party since it was established in 1984, and by Tim Wilson since 2016. Zoe Daniel is looking to topple this seat with 53% of the vote. She was a foreign correspondent for the ABC who has made implementing a national integrity commission one of her highest priorities.

“This moment is a testament to the strength of our democracy. Community can make a difference”.
– Zoe Daniel, Independent

Ultimately it was a night where the Liberal National Coalition lost rather than Labor won, a national heavy swing against the LNP was still accompanied by a stagnant swing for Labor. If lessons are to be taught, we should be looking at the Independents and Greens who saw the most gain in the swing, a shorter version of this is that the sitting government needs to prioritise Climate Change if they are to seek a second term in 3 years.