analysisACT voters show once again there's no such thing as a safe seat in a federal electionPBy Patrick BellTopic:Australian Federal Elections24m ago24 minutes agoSat 3 May 2025 at 10:01pmDavid Pocock was all smiles after being re-elected as a senator in the ACT. (ABC News: Joel Wilson)abc.net.au/news/analysis-on-act-federal-election-results-2025/105248770Link copiedShareShare articleFor the second federal election in a row, ACT voters have shown there really is no such thing as a safe seat.Labor has had few blemishes on its electoral record in the history of ACT federal representation.But last night, a fresh independent wave swept over Canberra.Once considered an outside chance of transitioning from the rugby pitch to the Senate, David Pocock has entrenched his position as one of the country's most influential politicians.In the southernmost electorate of Bean, the count remains agonisingly close between two-term Labor MP David Smith and his challenger Jessie Price.Between them, the two independents have shaken Canberra's political foundations and made life tougher for both major parties.Independent candidate Jessie Price could take the seat of Bean. (ABC News: Emily Anderson)No denying David Pocock's victoryFind me another politician in Australian history who won a seat in Parliament and then doubled their vote at the next election.Such is the remarkable result achieved by David Pocock.He and his team were always careful to downplay expectations he would easily top the ACT Senate poll.There is no denying it now.David Pocock has been re-elected for a second term in the Senate. (ABC News: Matt Roberts)His initial victory in 2022 had a lot to do with tactical voters backing him to try and oust Liberal Zed Seselja.This result is nothing but an emphatic endorsement of him and his record.It has also meant, for the first time, ACT Labor has not won a full Senate quota.From roughly 30 per cent of the vote, Finance Minister Katy Gallagher is very well positioned to get over the line on preferences.But as many of her cabinet colleagues celebrate significant personal successes, the former chief minister is left to regroup.The tussle for BeanBean MP David Smith has been in the seat since 2019. (ABC News: David Sciasci)There is usually at least one sleeper seat at federal elections, and while there were several on this occasion, Bean remains a standout.Before the official campaign period began, I tagged along at a Jessie Price street stall in Canberra's deep south.I could tell there was interest in her candidacy, and plenty of voters up for the conversation, but at the time, the question remained whether she could expand her tent enough to win.In the dying days of this campaign, however, it became clear Labor was nervous.There were frantic calls on Friday afternoon to try and swing resources into Bean from other seats and boost the party's presence on the booths.David Smith may yet hold on, but this result has shattered the modern consensus that Labor has a lock on the three lower house seats.And what about the Liberals?Read more about the federal election:It took just over two hours to call time on Dutton's two decades in federal politicsHave Your Say: What was the issue, policy or event that decided your vote?Federal election map: See a quick snapshot of how the parties are performingWant even more? Here's where you can find all our 2025 federal election coverageCatch the latest interviews and in-depth coverage on ABC iview and ABC ListenThe result achieved by the independents has come despite Labor's vote in Bean holding steady, and its Senate vote only dipping slightly.Which brings us to the Liberals.There are few words to describe the magnitude of this disaster.In Bean, its strongest electorate, fewer than one in four voters put the Liberals first, and the results in Fenner and Canberra were worse.But all were higher than the Senate figures.A territory-wide Senate vote of 15 per cent is surely worse than anyone could have imagined.Broadly speaking, it means half the people who voted Liberal at last year's ACT election parked their vote elsewhere this time.Jacob Vadakkedathu was the ACT's Liberal Senate candidate. (ABC News: Mark Moore)The inescapable conclusion is that the prospect of Peter Dutton as prime minister was toxic in the capital, as was his proposal to slash jobs in the city's largest employer.Labor's mixed results at this election show Canberrans are open to political alternatives just like the rest of the country.But the Liberals have a lot of work ahead of them to show they can provide that alternative.As it stands, they have been easily eclipsed.Posted 24m ago24 minutes agoSat 3 May 2025 at 10:01pmShare optionsCopy linkFacebookX (formerly Twitter)Top StoriesLABOR'S LANDSLIDE WINTopic:Australian Federal ElectionsPhoto shows Collage illustration of Anthony AlbaneseIt took just over two hours to call time on Dutton's two decades in politicsTopic:ElectionsPhoto shows A close up of Peter Dutton on stage. Who is Ali France? Meet the woman who unseated Peter DuttonTopic:ElectionsPhoto shows three people celebrating while wearing labor colours, an elderly man on the left, woman in the middle and young man on the rightGreens including leader Adam Bandt at risk of wipe-outTopic:ElectionsPhoto shows Adam Bandt and Max Chandler-Mather in the chamberYour 4-minute guide to the federal election resultsTopic:ExplainerPhoto shows Anthony Albanese holds up his hands to calm the crowd.Related storiesSurge in support for independents in the ACT as David Pocock re-electedTopic:ElectionsPhoto shows A side by side image of a man and a womanRelated topicsACTAustralian Federal ElectionsCanberraTop StoriesLABOR'S LANDSLIDE WINTopic:Australian Federal ElectionsPhoto shows Collage illustration of Anthony AlbaneseIt took just over two hours to call time on Dutton's two decades in politicsTopic:ElectionsWho is Ali France? 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