The Latest Breaking News from Kevin Bonham

The NSW government could have an uphill battle passing legislation after the final count left the upper house evenly split between Labor and the coalition.

In the latest Essential poll, support for the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice to parliament increased slightly to 60-40, from 59-41 in March. But hard “no” support was up two to 26%, soft “no” was down three to 14%, while 27% remained soft “yes” supporters.

The Poll Bludger reported on two Queensland polls on December 12. A YouGov poll for The Courier Mail, conducted December 1-8 from a sample of 1,000, had a 50-50 tie, unchanged since June. Primary votes were 38% LNP (steady), 34% Labor (steady), 13% Greens (down one), 11% One Nation (up…

The Victorian election will be held in three weeks, on November 26. A Newspoll, conducted October 31 to November 3 from a sample of 1,007, gave Labor a 54-46 lead, a two-point gain for the Coalition since the last Victorian Newspoll in late August.

This week’s Newspoll is the second since the May federal election, after the first appeared five weeks ago. Labor led by 57-43, a one point gain for Labor. Primary votes were 37% Labor (steady), 31% Coalition (down two), 13% Greens (up one), 7% One Nation (up one), 2% UAP (steady)…

Under compulsory preferential voting, all formal votes must eventually preference one of the major parties over the other. The electoral commission has released preference flow information for all minor parties, This means we can tell, for example, how many Greens voters preferred Labor and how many the Coalition.

Anthony Albanese claims low voter turnout is result of tactics ‘straight out of the right-wing Republican playbook’. Is this true?

Kuku Yalanji woman Pat O'Shane's primary vote of just over 4 per cent may appear modest, but it is the Socialist Alliance's best-ever result in a seat outside Victoria and its best anywhere at this year's election.

As the counting of votes gets closer to finalising the result across Australia, those vying for undecided Tasmanian seats best keep the celebratory drinks on ice for a little while longer.