Tasmanian Senators Jacqui Lambie and Liberal Richard Colbeck have claimed the final two of the six Senate seats contested in the federal election held on May 3.
Preference votes were automatically tallied on Tuesday, finalising the outcome in a closely fought race.
With their victories, Lambie and Colbeck will return to the Senate, joining Labor’s Carol Brown and Richard Dowling, Liberal Claire Chandler, and Greens senator Nick McKim.
In a statement, Senator Lambie expressed appreciation for her supporters:
“To everyone who helped—putting up signs, working at pre-poll, and making donations—thank you,” she said.
“I’m incredibly thankful to the people of Tasmania for giving me another six years to represent them.
Bringing their voices and concerns to Canberra is what motivates me every single day.”
A photo shows two women standing near a historic stone bridge, one identified as One Nation candidate Lee Hanson, who campaigned alongside her mother, Pauline Hanson, the party’s founder. Despite a strong showing early on, Hanson was ultimately unsuccessful in securing a seat.
Meanwhile, union organiser Josh Dolega has officially been appointed to fill the Senate vacancy left by Anne Urquhart, who was elected to the federal lower house seat of Braddon.
Both Jacqui Lambie and Richard Colbeck have been contacted for comment.
