From left to right, Wimworth independent candidate Phelps, Australian Prime Minister credit Morrison, Wimworth Liberal Party candidate Sharma. (Web Photo)
In Sydney`s Wimbos (Wentworth) by-election on Oct. 20, the Liberal Party, a longtime representative of the region, faced a defeat. The biggest swing in Australia`s political history may have given Australia the second minority government in just eight years.
In the by-election, 20 percent of Liberal voters voted for independent candidate Phelps (Kerryn Phelps), rather than Liberal candidate Sharma (Dave Sharma)., according to the Australian Union. That proportion is a record.
As of press time, the vote count was not over, but Phelps had won 52 percent of the vote in the two-party vote on a priority recommendation from Labour and the smaller parties. Once she takes office, she will have six independent members of the House and Labour will control 69 seats; the Unionparty will control 75 seats, one seat short of the majority.
Phelps denied that he would support the no-confidence motion against Unionparty government. She told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation on Oct. 21: "I have said with certainty that the term of office of this government, as well as all government, should expire unless there are exceptions. The next general election will be in May next year, and there will be enough time. "
Phelps said she would set two priorities: action on climate change and the transfer of child refugees from Nauru`s (Nauru). She may also support the National Integrity Commission proposed by Labour, the Green Party and independent lawmakers.
Phelps reiterated on October 21 that she would bring stability, but would not blindly support the government bill. "I will support good bills and veto bad ones," she said. "in negotiating a better outcome for the Australians, we can talk about anything, because I think the role of independent parliamentarians is to hold government accountable."
Some members of the Liberal Party have angrily denounced the internal affairs of minister Dutton (Peter Dutton). Landry (Craig Laundy), a back seat member of the Liberal Party, said: "it can only be blamed on some people who think it`s a good idea to get rid of (Malcolm Turnbull)."
If Phelps wins the election, the members of the Federal House of Representatives are: Liberal Party - National Party Alliance: 75 people, including Speaker Tony Smith; Labour Party: 69; Independent Member: 6; Total: 150.
There is hope for the Liberal Party
Liberal candidate Sharma still has a chance to win Sydney`s Wimbos (Wentworth) by-election, allowing Prime Minister Mosuisse (Scott Morrison) to preserve the majority government.
Independent candidate Phelps announced his victory on the night of October 20, when 20 percent of Liberal voters "turned down," the Australian news agency reported. But on Oct. 21, with the mailed vote count continuing, the gap between the two people narrowed to 1186 votes by the end of the day, and there might have been a turnaround.
Australian Broadcasting Corporation election analyst Green (Antony Green) announced Phelps`s victory on the evening of the 20th. He later said the counting of four early polling stations and mailing ballots was not completed until late that day, and Phelps could face late threat.
At a news conference in Sydney on Oct. 21, Mr Mosuisse said the vote count would change as it was not finally settled.
"this process is routine, solid, democratic and reliable, and we just have to wait for the process to take place, and then we`ll know who the winner of the by-election is," he said.
On the same day, Morrison admitted that the constituency expressed anger to the government through a by-election. The by-election was triggered by the resignation of former Prime Minister Tan Po, who was forced to step down.
"what happened two months ago made a lot of liberals, especially those in Wimworth, angry," Morrison said. The responsibility lies with us, the Liberal Party of Parliament. "
Morrison described it as a "tough day" on the 20th, promising to "listen, learn and accept this defeat." Fiscal minister Fredenberg (Josh Frydenberg) said the Liberal Party would continue to "seek assurances" from independent lawmakers to avoid early elections.
Independent Senator Carter (Bob Katter) said he did not want to see the government run into instability or launch an early election. But he says the government needs to address drought, development in remote areas and indigenous health.
Central League (Centre Alliance) MP Shaki (Rebekha Sharkie) said she would not use it to blackmail government.
Independent Congressman Wilky (Andrew Wilkie) said he was not sure he would trust or support government. Independent MP McGwen (Cathy McGowan) declined to comment.
Tan Po refuses to support Liberal Party candidate
Prime Minister Mok Suisse revealed that the Liberal Party candidate Sharma had asked former Prime Minister Tan Bao to support the by-election in Sydney, but was rejected by Tan Bao.
According to the Australian newspaper, Mr Mok admitted that he had personally asked Mr Tan to write to voters to get voters to support Mr Sharma.
On the evening of October 20, Sharma admitted defeat to independent candidate Phelps. However, the situation then reversed. The Australian Election Commission, (AEC), ordered a recount of the mailed vote on Oct. 21, given the small difference in the number of votes.
At a news conference on the morning of October 21, Mr. Mo was asked about Tan Bao`s letter of support. He responded that "a significant percentage" of liberals asked Mr Tan to publicly support Mr Sharma, "not necessarily in the form of a letter, but also in many other forms that would give people the option to support Dave." To be honest, everyone has had contact, even Dave himself. "it`s up to someone else to judge what this might have to do," Morrison said.
Mok Suisse said he had personally talked to Tan Bao. "I`ve been trying to understand the impact that happened two months ago on Tan Bao and his family," he said. When I was asked about his son Alexander (Alexander Turnbull) `s remarks, I also understood very well. "
On Oct. 20, Alexander called on Wimworth voters not to vote for the Liberal Party and described Phelps`s victory as "an important day for Australian democracy."
