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Australian Electoral Commission
The Electoral Commissioner has directed the Divisional Returning Officer for Goldstein to undertake a partial recount for the division. This partial recount will commence on Wednesday 28 May at 9am.
The direction to conduct a partial recount has been made on the basis of advice from the National Election Manager to the Electoral Commissioner that in order to ensure the greatest level of confidence in the final result and the utmost integrity in the counting process, there should be a re-examination of all first preference ballot papers for Tim Wilson and Zoe Daniel, as well as all informal votes. The recount request submitted by Independent candidate Zoe Daniel was carefully considered and was instructive but not determinative, and her request for a full recount has not been granted.
Earlier, as with every electoral division, a first preference count and an indicative two candidate preferred (TCP) count had occurred for Goldstein. Fresh scrutiny (the mandatory secondary counts of first preferences and TCP) had also occurred on all counts – including of postal and declaration votes received up to and including the legislated cut-off of the 13th day after polling day. These counts were all open to candidate appointed scrutineers and many of them were present throughout these counts.
The finalisation of the full distribution of preferences for Goldstein occurred in the presence of scrutineers on Saturday (24 May). That process was the final step in the standard counting process undertaken for every House of Representatives division. At the end of the full distribution of preferences, the margin for Goldstein was 260 votes in favour of Liberal Party candidate Tim Wilson.
The distribution of preferences highlighted some discrepancies in the fresh scrutiny count for Goldstein. It is not uncommon to identify discrepancies in the complex and detailed distribution of preferences process, indeed this is one of the benefits of the distribution of preferences count (the fourth count). However, the nature of the discrepancies in this case pointed to instances where fresh scrutiny results had been entered into the system incorrectly. While the distribution of preferences process enabled these to be rectified for first preference ballot papers for excluded (non-TCP) candidates, hence the change of margins on a few occasions, it has highlighted a need to re-examine ballot papers not dealt with at distribution of preferences.
Therefore, the recount being undertaken will be limited to an examination of all first preference ballot papers for Tim Wilson and for Zoe Daniel, as well as all informal ballot papers.
The AEC is not undertaking a full recount, which would include repeating the just completed distribution of preferences. We are satisfied that there was a very high degree of rigor throughout the distribution of preferences process. This is, in part, the role and purpose of the distribution of preferences process - showing it doing its job as a thorough, closely scrutinised preference distribution and check.
Given the corrections picked up on preference votes in the final stages of the distribution of preferences count, it is reasonable and appropriate to do an additional check of first preference papers for the two final candidates (ballot papers not required to be re-reviewed during a distribution of preferences). This partial recount is expected to take up to 4 days. However, this is largely dependent on the volume of scrutineer challenges during the count.
As is always the case, the AEC remains absolutely committed to electoral integrity, and this decision is in accordance with that commitment. We appreciate that similar sentiment has been recently expressed by both major candidates in the Division of Goldstein.
The AEC acknowledges the Traditional Owners of country throughout Australia and recognises their continuing connection to land, waters, culture and community. We pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging.