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Federal election 2016: Labor claims win in cliffhanger Herbert seat by 35 votes
By Amy Mitchell-Whittington
Labor candidate Cathy O'Toole looks set to secure the federal electorate of Herbert by 35 votes despite a visit from the Prime Minister a day before to encourage the Coalition's encumbent MP, Ewen Jones.
Australian Electoral Commission figures on Wednesday showed Ms O'Toole take the lead ahead of Mr Jones by 35 votes.
Labor's Cathy O'Toole has claimed victory in Herbert.Credit: Michael Chambers
The Townsville seat was the only seat yet to be finalised after the July 2 federal election.
Ms O'Toole took to Facebook on Tuesday evening to thank her supporters.
The Prime Minister toured the barracks in the seat of Herbert, while down the road Labor and coalition members were scrutinising a vote recount in the final federal seat to be determined. Credit: Michael Chambers
"The recount finished today and I have won by 35 votes, we have the full preference recount to complete and then the seat can be declared, I believe," she said.
"This is the most amazing surreal feeling!
"A win of this magnitude only happens when great people wth (sic) a shared vision come together and work hard.
"THANK YOU to every single person who worked on our Labor Herbert Campaign we have waited 20 years for this victory!"
An AEC spokeswoman said the full distribution of preferences would commence on Thursday and a declaration was not expected until the end of the week.
"Tomorrow is going to be the beginning of the count for final distribution of preferences," she said.
"It is expected to take at least two days.
"It is unlikely that the full distribution of preferences recount will change the votes in favour of the Labor candidate.
"The result as it stands probably will be the final result, even after the full distribution of preferences, but it is too early to confirm."
Reports of locals missing out on a chance to vote and missing ballots could spark a legal challenge once the result is declared.
Ms O'Toole's victory would still leave the Coalition with the 76 seats in the 150-seat House of Representatives it needed to form majority government.
The razor-edge outcome came as Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull travelled to the Queensland seat on Tuesday to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Lavarack Barracks, where he celebrated Mr Jones' work in the community.
"It's great also to be here in Townsville with Ewen. His count ... is being finalised," Mr Turnbull said.
"Ewen, we wish you the very best as it comes down to counting the last votes. You are a fantastic representative of this community."