Federal Politics

One Nation senator-elect Malcolm Roberts was not present for the AEC's formal declaration of results.

One Nation pair cast shadow even in their absence

Only half of Queensland's successful Senate attended the Australian Electoral Commissions formal declaration of results on Friday, but it was the two absent future One Nation senators – Pauline Hanson and Malcolm Roberts – that loomed large over the proceedings. 

Close call: Ewen Jones was eight votes behind at the close of counting on Monday.

Herbert recount to start on Thursday

A recount in Australia's tightest election race will start in Townsville on Thursday after just eight votes separated the two main candidates for the north Queensland seat of Herbert.

Labor candidate Cathy O'Toole says the close result in Herbert shows how "every vote counts".

Eight votes separate Herbert candidates

Eight votes were all that separated the two main candidates in the north Queensland seat of Herbert after counting finished on Monday, with Labor's Cathy O'Toole taking the upper hand.