The hurly-burly’s done, the battle’s lost and won, the dust has settled, and middle Australia can settle down to three more years of political apathy. Labor has won an overwhelming victory; opposition leader Peter Dutton has lost both the election and his seat; the populace has been patted on the head and told it lives in the best country on Earth. Pippa passes. In the ACT, independent senator David Pocock and incumbent Labor politicians have been re-elected — except in Bean, which still remains in doubt.

Bean

Incumbent Labor MP David Smith and independent candidate Jessie Price are running neck and neck. With 84.9 per cent of the vote counted on Monday morning, Ms Price was ahead (50.1 per cent, to Mr Smith’s 49.9 per cent) — leading by an estimated 206 votes. On Tuesday, Ms Price had fallen to 49.3 per cent, with Mr Smith on 50.7 per cent.

“It is so, so close!” Ms Price said. “Of course we are hoping we get across the line, but even if we do fall short, we have put Bean on the map, and I am so proud of what we have achieved together.”

“The result in Bean is very tight, and counting will continue this week, with the Labor primary holding up,” Mr Smith said. “Overall, it’s a great win for Labor and for those who believe in and support public service.”

The Liberals’ David Lamerton received 23.1 per cent of the votes (-6.6 per cent swing) and the Greens’ Sam Carter 9 per cent (-5.8 per cent swing).

Fellow Labor MP Dr Andrew Leigh described Mr Smith as an “incredibly hard-working” and “very connected grassroots local member”. He claims that Climate 200 — which has backed Ms Price — would have “significantly outmatched what the Labor Party was spending in that seat”.

“One of the reasons that we moved to bring those ACT-style expenditure caps into the federal Parliament was in order to stop some of these very deep pocketed, funded campaigns of the kind that went up against Dave Smith,” Dr Leigh said.

Labor and the Coalition recently passed legislation capping campaign spending at $800,000 per electorate and $90 million nationally, claiming it would prevent millionaires from bankrolling candidates. Crossbenchers, however, condemned it as self-serving and undemocratic: “a major party stitch-up to lock out community-backed independents,” Senator Pocock said.

Canberra

Alicia Payne MP (Labor) was re-elected for her third term. She received 48.5 per cent of the primary vote (a 3.6 per cent swing to her).

“I am deeply honoured and thankful that Canberrans have voted for me to continue representing them,” Ms Payne said. “Our community is progressive and caring, and I can’t wait to get on with the job of listening to you and bringing your views into our Parliament and our Labor Caucus. Thank you, Canberra.”

The Greens’ lead candidate Isabel Mudford received 20 per cent of the primary vote (-4.7 per cent swing); the Liberal Party’s Will Roche 17.9 per cent (-3.9 per cent swing); independent Claire Miles 11 per cent; and the Animal Justice Party’s Teresa McTaggart and HEART’s Mary-Jane Liddicoat 1.3 per cent each.

“The ACT Greens have a lot to be proud of this campaign — we’ve grown our movement, stuck to our values, held Labor to account, and we’ve kept the Liberals out of the ACT,” Isabel Mudford said.

“To every person who chipped in to make the ACT Greens campaign possible, thank you. While not the outcome we hoped for locally, the Greens have retained our two-party preferred status in the seat of Canberra and grown our movement across the ACT.

“It takes courage and commitment to stand up for those who need help the most. The Greens are the party of renters, trans people, those suffering in the housing crisis, and our climate and environment. No result will waver our commitment to our values.

“Over the next three years, we’ll continue pushing Labor to do better in the Federal Parliament with balance of power in the Senate and in the ACT Legislative Assembly.”

Ms Miles said she was proud to have received 11 per cent of the first preference vote, “marking the strongest first preference result for an independent in the seat of Canberra. This was achieved solely on donations and volunteers who are local Canberrans — this was a true independent campaign. This sends a clear message: Canberra supports independents and wants strong, community-driven representation. While we didn’t win this time, this is just the beginning.

“I congratulate Alicia on her win and look forward to seeing her deliver on the commitments made to our community. I will continue to advocate for Canberra, hold the Labor Party to account, and ensure they deliver on the promises made to this electorate. Our grassroots campaign isn’t over — we’ll keep building over the next three years, and we’ll be back next election, stronger than ever.”

“The 2025 Federal Election results in Canberra once again underscored the grip of major parties — and so-called ‘independents’ — whose campaigns are bankrolled by powerful corporate donors,” Ms Liddicoat said.

“In stark contrast, the HEART Party proudly stood on principle, offering Canberrans a genuine alternative led by everyday Australians, not vested interests. Our campaign aimed to expose the distortions fed to the public through a captured media — particularly on issues of health, environment, accountability, rights, and transparency — where donor-driven agendas too often override the real needs of ordinary men and women. While we didn’t win a seat, we gave voters the chance to back a party with a real difference: one that puts people before profit, truth before spin, and integrity before influence.”

Fenner

Dr Andrew Leigh MP secured his sixth term, with 54 per cent of the primary vote (a 5.7 per cent swing to Labor).

“It is my great privilege to represent the Fenner constituency again, and I am humbled by the opportunity to get back into the job of making life better for Australians and for Canberrans,” Dr Leigh said.

“I am relieved that the Liberal Party’s shameful attacks on Canberra were so resoundingly rejected at the ballot box. Australians and Canberrans have voted for unity and fairness.

“Under the leadership of Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, our Labor Government will continue to build on our practical plan which includes focusing on bulk-billing, the energy transition, the important resourcing of our schools and local infrastructure, work around competition reform, tackling the cost of living and responsible economic management.

“I look forward to working with the Canberra community to build a fairer society and a stronger economy.”

The Liberal Party’s Bola Olatunbosun received 22 per cent (-5.8 per cent swing), and the Greens’ Dani Hunterford 16.2 per cent (-0.6 per cent swing). Former MLA Elizabeth Kikkert (Family First) received 7.8 per cent.

Dr Leigh attributed the Liberals’ poor performance to importing the right-wing culture war.

“The attacks on Welcome to Country ceremonies that Peter Dutton engaged in just contrasted with Anthony Albanese focusing on bulk-billing, on the energy transition, on the important resourcing of our schools, and on the work we’re doing around competition reform,” he said. “All of that is practical work that people can see in their everyday lives. I think people didn’t want that sort of the nasty punching down that was being offered by the Liberal Party.”

Senate

Senator Pocock was re-elected with more than a quota: 42 per cent of the primary vote (a 20.85 per cent swing towards him) — “a thumping victory”, in the words of ABC election pundit Antony Green.

“It’s really humbling to see Canberrans backing me after three years, I committed to being accessible and accountable to people in the ACT and really trying to stand on my record and engage in a different way of politics, one that is more positive and constructive,” Senator Pocock said.

Katy Gallagher is likely to retain her seat, with 30.1 per cent of the vote, despite a 3.24 per cent swing away from her.

There are concerns that Labor’s dominance — at least 85 seats in the House of Representatives — will effectively give them carte blanche to do as they please, and that independent crossbenchers will be sidelined; but Senator Pocock insists that the new parliament pursue fundamental structural reform.

“A vote for Labor wasn’t a vote for the status quo,” he said. “People do want change. They want a more constructive Parliament, and they want a parliament actually starting to deal with the root causes of the big challenges we’re facing” — including cost-of-living, housing, health, climate and the environment, and creating a more egalitarian society.

“A big government majority and a huge crossbench is a unique chance for change, not a free pass for more of the same. The community I represent sent a clear message about the things they want to see the next parliament prioritise nationally and in the ACT […]”

The Liberals only received 15.1 per cent of the vote (a 9.4 swing against them) — a result Mr Green called “absolutely disastrous”. HEART/Libertarian and the Animal Justice Party both received 1.3 per cent (1.3 and 0.59 swings), and Sustainable Australia Party 1.2 per cent (0.67 swing).

HEART party Senate candidate Elise Searson-Prakaash said: “It’s never easy for everyday Australians with genuine policies to compete against high-profile candidates, major parties, and deep pockets. But the HEART Party’s results show that thousands of Canberrans are calling for representation on the issues being ignored. If elected officials continue to sideline minority voices, our movement will only grow stronger.”

“The Animal Justice Party ACT is glad Australians didn’t fall for the divisive policies of the Coalition,” lead candidate Robyn Soxsmith said. “The emphatic win by the ALP sends a strong message that Australians have rejected the far-right extremist politics of the US President that Peter Dutton was aligning himself with.

“However, it continues to be disappointing Australians are ignoring the smaller political parties, still preferring to vote for one of the majors.  Smaller parties such as the Animal Justice Party can act as a force for renewal as they bring up issues that the major parties wouldn’t normally touch.

“One such issue is environmental damage and animal protection.  The last three years of the ALP Government has seen a poor record on environmental issues.  Approvals for gas and coal and more recently the exception of salmon ‘farming’ from the EPBC Act, despite warnings from environmentalists of the ecological damage the salmon ‘farming’ is doing to Hobart’s Macquarie Harbour.

“Both major parties have been ‘kicking the can down the road’ in relation to climate change and environmental repair.  Whereas a smaller party such as the AJP in the Senate can be a force for good by being part of the checks and balances and dialogues.

“The good news is that there will always be another election to change your vote if the elected party hasn’t lived up to their promises.”

SAP candidate James Holgate said he was pleased his party’s ACT Senate vote doubled, “despite an uneven playing field regarding public funding and therefore very little resources or media exposure for our party during the campaign”.

“As an independent community movement, if Sustainable Australia Party can’t win, then I believe it is good to see a genuinely independent voice like David Pocock’s resonating with the ACT community. We trust Senator Pocock will continue to objectively assess issues in an evidence-based way. […] Sustainable Australia Party will keep up the struggle for democracy, and for a fair and sustainable Australia.”

ACT Government welcomes Labor victory

ACT Chief Minister Andrew Barr was pleased federal and ACT Labor would continue working together.

“The re-election of the Albanese Labor Government represents a significant opportunity for our two governments to continue working together to deliver for Canberra. It also means Canberra’s economy will not fall into a Liberal Government induced recession.”

He welcomed Labor’s commitment to Medicare, the APS, housing and infrastructure, and to projects such as an aquatic centre in Commonwealth Park and a new convention and entertainment precinct.

“The returned Albanese Government offers the ACT Labor Government a willing and constructive partner, one that recognises the importance of the nation’s capital and is committed to meeting the needs of our growing city,” Mr Barr said.

 “Throughout the 2025 federal election campaign, Canberrans sent a clear message: we want a federal government that values our city and the people who call it home. Despite the Liberals’ targeted and hostile campaign directed at Canberra, our community stood strong in defence of the values we share — respect for public services and investment in our future.”

Other candidates were asked for comment.