LABOR candidate Martin Pakula has claimed victory in the Lyndhurst state byelection despite a historically low primary vote in the traditionally safe ALP seat.
After counting on Saturday night, the ALP primary vote had plunged to 40.9 per cent. Its first-preference vote had previously never dipped below 50 per cent. The swing against Labor was 14.6 per cent.
The Liberal-National Coalition — which did not field a candidate — and Labor now have 43 lower house seats each, with Frankston independent MP Geoff Shaw holding the balance of power.
There were large swings for minor parties: Family First’s Stephen Nowland polled second on primaries with 14.1 per cent, followed by Geraldine Gonsalvez (Democratic Labor Party), Hung Vo (independent) and Nina Springle (Greens).
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