Teal independent Nicolette Boele has won the recount for the ultra-tight Sydney seat of Bradfield, defeating Liberal candidate Gisele Kapterian by just 27 votes.
Sky News Chief Election Analyst Tom Connell called the seat of Bradfield for Ms Boele on Wednesday morning after the recount saw her take the lead.
Ms Boele, backed by Climate 200, began the recount eight votes behind after the initial count was won by Ms Kapterian.
However, as more than 112,000 ballots were painstakingly rechecked for accuracy and formality, Ms Boele’s tally gradually overtook Ms Kapterian’s.
“This is roughly in keeping with the amount of votes that can move during a recount,” said Connell.
“Nicolette Boele will be declared the winner.”
More than 60 voting booths have been rechecked, and Sky News understands that the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) has confidence in the result.
The AEC’s confidence in the recount leaves the Liberal Party with little room to challenge, unless it pursues a case in the Court of Disputed Returns.
Ms Kapterian must have a valid reason to request an appeal even though the result was close.
Ms Kapterian was recently named the shadow assistant minister for technology and the digital economy.
Opposition Leader Sussan Ley will need to find her replacement if the result stands for Ms Boele.
Ms Boele’s win is a significant boost for the Teal independent movement, which first made major inroads in 2022 by targeting traditionally safe Liberal seats.
The seat of Bradfield was long-held by retiring Liberal MP Paul Fletcher, who was first elected in 2009.
The recount of more than 112,000 votes began last Monday after the initial count showed an ultra-thin margin of just eight votes.
Initial counting had Ms Kapterian on 56,191 votes to Ms Boele’s 56,183 but as each vote is checked, incorrect ballots have been discarded.
The recount involved a comprehensive re-tally of first preferences, re-examination of informal ballots and redistribution of preferences.
Both candidates saw fluctuating leads during the process with votes found to be informal during the recount, lowering totals on both sides.
The seat was called for each candidate at different points during the initial count, reflecting the closeness of the contest.
