WA news LIVE: WA Labor minister could be ousted by ‘teal’ independent

Returning to the seat of Fremantle, which is embroiled in a neck-and-neck election contest between sitting Labor MP Simone McGurk and Independent ‘teal’ Kate Hulett.

The Electoral Commission, which is under fire for under resourcing polling day, has requested a recount of the vote, with a new focus on the preferencing for the Labor and Independent candidates.

“This alternative two candidate preferred [count] will not have impact on the final distribution of preference count which determines the result of the election, and does not invalidate the counting that has already occurred in Fremantle,” the commission said.

The fresh count will get underway by 10am.

Meanwhile, Hulett has written to the commission expressing her concern about the recount of preferences following reports of ballots running out in Fremantle and voters being turned away from polling booths.

“At 5.30pm on Sunday evening, I received communication from the WA Electoral Commission that a partial recount of preferences in the Fremantle electorate would commence at 9am this morning,” she said.

“This was only three hours after I had received a direct undertaking from the WAEC that no recount would occur until next Tuesday once 100 per cent of Fremantle ballots had been received.

“We have registered our concern about a recount commencing today with only 60 per cent of Fremantle ballots so far received by the WAEC.

“I firmly believe that every vote should be counted in a clear, transparent process to ensure that Fremantle’s voice is heard.”

According to ABC’s tracker, with 60 per cent of the vote counted, Hulett is narrowly in front with 50.6 per cent of the vote, compared to McGurk on 49.4 per cent.

Hulett said the counting would not be complete until March 18.