Australian Labor Party leads by small margin

Australian Labor Party leader Bill Shorten is enjoying a slight lead over the Liberal-National coalition of Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, with nearly 70% of votes counted in general elections held in Australia on Saturday.

With 69.64% of votes counted, Labor has so far won 66 seats, while the ruling coalition has 63 out of the 150 federal parliamentary seats, Efe news reported.

To form a government alone, the winner needs at least 76 seats, according to the Australian Electoral Commission.

"At this point, the results are not clear. We see a turn that might not be enough to defeat the government, but we also see the Labor Party won seats," said analyst Antony Green, as cited by state-owned broadcaster ABC.

 

Labor candidate Linda Burney has also become the first indigenous woman to win a seat in the lower house, according to Channel 7 television.

A total of 57 political and independent formations are presented in these elections, with more than 994 candidates for the House and 661 candidates for the 76-seat Senate.

The Senate, which is being completely renewed after being dissolved on May 9 this year, is key to support the next government.