Final results are being counted in Australia where Prime Minister Scott Morrison hopes his victory in Saturday's election will give him a majority government.

His conservative coalition has defied the polls and now needs to win three more seats to seal a shock majority.

"I have always believed in miracles," Mr Morrison told supporters in his victory speech on Saturday night.

Exit polls had predicted a Labor Party win for the first time in six years.

But Labor leader Bill Shorten resigned in the wake of his party's surprise defeat. "It is obvious that Labor will not be able to form the next government," he told party members.

He will not seek re-election as his party's leader.

The final result may not be known for some hours, but with more than 75% of votes counted the Liberal-National Coalition has won, or is ahead in, 73 seats in its quest for a 76-seat majority, with Labor trailing on 65 seats.

If the Coalition fails to win an outright majority it will need the help of independent MPs to govern.

Australia has mandatory voting and a record 16.4 million voters enrolled for the election, which returns a new House of Representatives and just over half of the seats in the Senate.

In his victory speech, Mr Morrison paid tribute to "the quiet Australians" who voted for the Coalition.

"It has been those Australians who have worked hard every day, they have their dreams, they have their aspirations, to get a job, to get an apprenticeship, to start a business, to meet someone amazing," he said.

"To start a family, to buy a home, to work hard and provide the best you can for your kids. To save for your retirement. These are the quiet Australians who have won a great victory tonight!"

Source: BBC

BDST:  1425 HRS, MAY 19, 2019

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