Liberal Tim Wilson Claims Narrow Victory Over Independent Zoe Daniel in Goldstein Seat

Tim Wilson, the Liberal candidate and former assistant minister, has claimed a narrow victory in the federal seat of Goldstein, regaining it from incumbent independent Zoe Daniel by a margin of about 128 votes after postal and overseas votes were counted. Despite Wilson's declaration of victory and media calls in his favor, Daniel has yet to concede and is awaiting the full distribution of preferences by the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC), which may alter the final margin. The AEC will automatically conduct a recount if the margin falls to 100 votes or fewer, and Daniel has not ruled out requesting one given the close result. Wilson's win marks a historic moment as he becomes the first to retake the same seat lost to an independent MP and the first Liberal in over 110 years to win a seat off an independent at a general election. Daniel initially celebrated her apparent victory on election night with supporters but the subsequent vote count shifted the lead to Wilson. Both candidates remain engaged in the ongoing final count and preference distribution, with the outcome still pending formal confirmation.