Hero’s Welcome for Morrison on Victory in Australia’s Federal Election

Prime Minister of Australia and leader of the Liberal Party Scott Morrison, flanked by his wife Jenny Morrison and daughters Lily Morrison and Abbey Morrison, delivers his victory speech at the Sofitel Sydney Wentworth in Sydney, Australia on May 18, 2019. Prime Minister Scott Morrison was re-elected today, securing another three-year team for the Liberal-National coalition following an intense five-week campaign against Bill Shorten and the Labor party. Tracey Nearmy/Getty Images

Scott Morrison was re-elected May 18 as Prime Minister of Australia, securing another three-year team for the Liberal-National coalition following an intense five-week campaign against Bill Shorten and the Labor party.

“I have always believed in miracles,” he told Liberal supporters with his wife and daughters by his side, after Labor leader Bill Shorten conceded defeat.

“I’m standing with the three biggest miracles of my life here tonight and tonight we have been delivered another one.”

The hundreds of Liberal supporters gathered in the ballroom of the Sofitel Wentworth Hotel cheered wildly as Morrison entered the room.

Morrison thanked Bill Shorten for his “kind words” and wished him and his family well, and God’s blessings.

Morrison dedicated the victory to the people he calls the “quiet Australians.”

Australia's Liberal Party supporters react during the results count at the Federal Liberal Reception at the Sofitel-Wentworth hotel in Sydney, Australia, May 18, 2019. AAP Image/Mick Tsikas/via Reuters

“... it’s always been about them. It’s always been for those of you watching this at home tonight, for me and for my government, for all of my team, it’s all about you,” he said.

Morrison, who became prime minister less than nine months ago after the Liberal party rolled Malcolm Turnbull, Morrison promised to return to work straight away.

“We’ve got a lot of work to do. We’re going to get back to work for the Australians that we know go to work every day, who face those struggles and trials every day,” he said.

“They’re looking for a fair go and they’re having a go and they’re going to get a go from our government.”

Australia's Prime Minister Scott Morrison with wife Jenny, children Abbey and Lily after winning the 2019 Federal Election, at the Federal Liberal Reception at the Sofitel-Wentworth hotel in Sydney, Australia, May 18, 2019. AAP Image/Dean Lewins/via Reuters

The coalition will be returned to government after winning at least 74 of the 76 seats needed to form a majority in parliament.

A number of seats are still in doubt, but Morrison acknowledged those candidates who won their seats—and singled out Queensland, where Labor failed to make an impact.

“How good’s Queensland?” he said, to chants of Queensland from the crowd. “I never thought I'd hear that in this room in NSW this close to Origin.”

He thanked his family, candidates and Liberal party administrators and the coalition partners, the Nationals, and singled out Tony Abbott who lost his seat of Warringah.

Morrison concluded his speech with “God Bless Australia.”

Prime Minister of Australia and leader of the Liberal Party Scott Morrison, flanked by his wife Jenny Morrison and daughters Lily Morrison and Abbey Morrison, delivers his victory speech at the Sofitel Sydney Wentworth in Sydney, Australia, on May 18, 2019. Tracey Nearmy/Getty Images

Preliminary results are below. Counting will continue on Sunday, May 19.

Winners

• Scott Morrison
• Zali Steggall (defeated Tony Abbott in Warringah)
• Fiona Philips (Labor, Gilmore)
• Phillip Thompson (LNP, Herbert)
• Melissa McIntosh (Liberals, Lindsay)
• Terry Young (LNP, Longman)
• Sarah Richards (Liberals, Macquarie)
• Bridget Archer (Liberals, Bass)
• Gavin Pearce (Liberals, Braddon)

Losers

• Bill Shorten
• Tony Abbott (lost seat of Warringah)
• Clive Palmer (didn’t pick up any seats)
• Ross Hart (Labor, Bass)
• Justine Keay (Labor, Braddon)
• Warren Mundine (Liberal, Gilmore)
• Cathy O'Toole (Labor, Herbert)
• Diane Beamer (Labor, Lindsay)
• Susan Lamb (LNP, Longman)
• Susan Templeman (Labor, Macquarie)
• Fraser Anning

Likely State of the Parliament

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

• Liberal National Party 74
• Labor 65
• Other 6
• (6 seats in doubt. Liberals ahead in 3, Labor ahead in 2, Independent ahead in 1)

SENATE

NSW

• Coalition 2, likely 3
• Labor 2
• Greens, likely 1

VIC

• Coalition 2, likely 3
• Labor 2
• Greens, likely 1

QLD

• Coalition 2, possibly 3
• Labor 1, possibly 2
• Final seat between Greens and One Nation

SA

• Liberals 2, likely 3
• Labor 2
• Greens, likely 1

TAS

• Liberals 2
• Labor 2
• Greens, likely 1
• Jacqui Lambie, possibly 1

ACT

• Liberals, likely 1
• Labor 1

NT

• Liberals 1
• Labor 1