We’ve lost: Labor ministers concede defeat
Treasurer Chris Bowen says it’s clear the coalition has won the election.
“I think we can call the election,” he told the Seven Network.
He said it was clear, with Liberal wins in seats like Bass in Tasmania, that the coalition had won.
Mr Bowen is the most senior Rudd government minister to concede defeat, although a long line of Labor figures had said there was no chance of a win not long after polls closed at 6pm.
Prime Minister Kevin Rudd has left his Brisbane home to attend the Labor party function at the Gabba, where he is expected to formally concede
Retiring defence minister Stephen Smith was the first to admit Labor would lose at 6.05pm – minutes after polling booths closed in eastern Australia.
“The government will be defeated tonight,” Mr Smith, who is retiring at this election, told ABC television on Saturday.
Health Minister Tanya Plibersek reluctantly conceded.
“I think it’s pretty clear, it’s a matter of the size of the victory,” she told ABC TV, adding that she thinks the party will lose nine seats in NSW.
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Howard government treasurer Peter Costello said election had been won.
“The election is over, the Coalition has won” he told the Nine Network.
“It is going to be large majority. The question is how big that majority is going to be.”
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