Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison has thanked voters for re‑electing his conservative coalition in a shock result at the federal polls.

He told his supporters that he always believed in miracles as partial results showed the Liberal‑National Coalition was close to a majority.

Opposition Labor Party leader Bill Shorten has announced he is resigning after accepting defeat.

Exit polls had suggested a narrow Labor win for the first time in six years.

The final result of the election may not be known for some hours, but with more than 70% of votes counted the Coalition has won, or is ahead in, 74 seats in its quest for a 76‑seat majority, with Labor on just 66 seats.

[BBC]

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