Mood shift for supporters as vote count smiles on Labor
Kat Wong |
Labor loyalists are swapping anxiety for joy as the federal election produces a big swing in their favour.
Party faithful of all ages filed into Canterbury-Hurlstone Park RSL in Sydney’s inner-west on Saturday night to watch the results of a gruelling five-week campaign.
And the room, once filled with quiet tension and cautious optimism, has come alive with relief and excitement as Greens and coalition seats alike appear to shift towards Labor.
Oliver Wild, who started the night a ball of nerves, has been unable to stop smiling since the results began to flow in.
He could not contain his joy when ABC called the election for Labor, leaping out of his seat to run into a mosh pit.
“This is the most overstimulated I’ve felt in my entire life,” the 17-year-old told AAP.
“I didn’t think it would be called this fast. I think we’re about to have an avalanche of seats.”
Opposition Leader Peter Dutton’s seat is of particular interest to the young volunteer, who said early results were “very promising”.
Mr Dutton could become just the third federal party leader in Australian history to lose his seat, to the delight of Labor supporters.
As the night has worn on, supporters have piled in, cheering the results as they clink cans of “Wild Albo” beer.
But Oliver’s friend Oscar Thompson was more reserved, noting the early numbers could be balanced out by more moderate results from states further west.
Asked how they would celebrate, the two 17-year-olds joked they would get pissed before saying they would probably just look at the results on a computer all week
As a growing number of Australians turn to independents and third parties, the prospect of a minority government haunted the minds of some Labor supporters.
But not all at the Labor event were closed to the idea, with 53-year-old nurse Sabrina Sharp saying she would be “happy with that”.
“I think it would be creative to work with everyone,” she said.
“I feel really excited. I think the lead-up has been really promising.
“Australia is ready for a vote of decency today.”
A swing towards the party in the ultra-marginal seat of Gilmore on the NSW south coast and the north Queensland electorate of Leichhardt lit up the room, as did significant independent votes in the seat of Bradfield on Sydney’s north shore.
The prime minister earlier told reporters he would watch the results from Kirribilli House with his partner Jodie Haydon and son Nathan.
AAP
