Australia’s Conservatives Win Surprise Election Victory

The Coalition’s bombshell triumph comes after repeated polls placed the ALP ahead of the Morrison Government, and the Prime Minister’s demise appeared assured.

Swings to the Coalition in Queensland turned the election on its head as early figures suggested the Government could hold on.

In his speech, as he went through and thanked individual Liberal MPs who held on to their seats, he also thanked “pretty much the whole of Queensland”.

As the crowd chanted “Queensland! Queensland Queensland”, Mr Morrison said: “How good is Queensland? I never thought would hear that in this room in NSW this close to Origin I’ve gotta tell you!”

As the votes came in confidence began to grown among Liberal supporters. At the official Liberal Party function in Sydney exuberant young Liberal supporters were heard chanting that the Liberals were “an election winning machine”.

“Labor used to be party for the workers, now it’s a party for people who don’t work,” one said.

Earlier at Coalition HQ, Liberal supporters screamed, hugged each other and started celebrating in earnest. The room is ecstatic, with shock clearly seen on many faces. Supporters have described the Coalition’s shock win as one of the “greatest nights” the party has seen.

Labor scrutineers told news.com.au older voters have punished the party for its higher-taxing agenda. States where the economy is not thriving — such as Queensland, WA and country areas — have backed the Liberals’ agenda focused on the economy and jobs.

“A bold agenda is now dead forever in Australia,” a Labor scrutineer says as it became clear the election was turning against Shorten.

Story cited here.