Image: Allegra Spender was sworn into Parliament this week for the seat of Wentworth. Photo: Allegra Spender.
By DANIEL LO SURDO
Independent Allegra Spender is on track to defeat incumbent Liberal Member for Wentworth Dave Sharma as part of a wave of independent gains in Coalition seats around the country.
As of time of publishing, Spender had received 39.5 per cent of first preference votes, narrowly edging Sharma’s 37.5 per cent figure. Spender received another push in the preference count, recording 58.7 per cent of votes. There has also been a 58.7 per cent swing for Spender in this election.
It comes as a wave of independents backed by the Climate 200 funding body is on track to take multiple Liberal seats in New South Wales and Victoria, as part of a disaster election day for the Coalition.
Independents in North Sydney, Mackellar, Goldstein (and Wentworth) are on track to win traditionally blue-ribbon Liberal seats, with Treasurer Josh Frydenberg saying it will be “difficult” for him to retain his seat of Kooyong, with the Climate 200-backed Monique Ryan in a strong position to take the Melbourne seat.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison has conceded defeat, but it is still unclear if Anthony Albanese and Labor will be able to win 76 seats in the House of Representatives and form a majority government. Otherwise, it would have to form a majority government with the support of independents or minor parties.
