Count in NSW blue ribbon seat of Bradfield extremely close, independent Nicolette Boele saysBy Paulina Vidal and David HirstTopic:Elections47m ago47 minutes agoSun 4 May 2025 at 7:35amTeal candidate Nicolette Boele is edging closer to winning the traditionally Liberal Sydney seat of Bradfield. (ABC News: Nick Dole)abc.net.au/news/bradfield-sydney-north-shore-vote-close-lib-teal-contest/105245330Link copiedShareShare articleThe independent candidate on track to win the blue ribbon Liberal seat of Bradfield in Sydney's north shore says Australians have voted to reject "negative, toxic politics".Nicolette Boele is ahead of Gisele Kapterian, who replaced retiring Liberal member Paul Fletcher, by more than 1,600 votes with a 3.3 per cent swing.Election essentials:Federal election updates and live resultsHow Labor carved a path to a landslide victoryWhat was the result in your seat? Look up the map of your regionIn the 2022 election, the teal candidate posed a significant challenge, reducing the Liberal Party's stronghold in the heartland seat.Simon Holmes à Court, from the Climate 200 group that backed a number of independents, including Ms Boele, told ABC local radio "she got it over the line this time".It is Nicolette Boele's second tilt at running in the Liberal stronghold seat of Bradfield. (ABC News)But with some counting taking place on Sunday, the tight race may take days to be resolved."The count in Bradfield is extremely close and we expect it will be several days until the AEC has a final result," Ms Boele said in a statement."Regardless of the outcome, this community has made it clear that we expect our representative to listen to and respond to the concerns of this community."The nationwide result shows that Australians overwhelmingly reject the negative, toxic politics we've seen during this campaign."'Time for a new model'Teals in the other three NSW blue ribbon seats solidified their position, prompting Mr Holmes à Court to declare that the "community independents movement is here to stay".Zali Steggall, who won the seat of Warringah for a third time, said she thought independents in NSW had "done really well"."I think more respectful, positive community independents have held their ground or increased. And I think that's what Australians are looking for," the independent MP said.Zali Steggall has won the seat of Warringah for a third time. (Facebook: Zali Steggall)"I think the world has moved on from that traditional convention of how we see political parties now."It's maybe time for a new model, and I think that's what community independents offer."On Sydney's northern beaches, Sophie Scamps held onto the seat of Mackellar, while Allegra Spender also kept her eastern suburbs seat of Wentworth, once held by former prime minister Malcolm Turnbull.Ms Spender said that for the past three years, her electorate had seen their values represented and they had voted for that to continue."This community is very socially progressive, is really business-focused, and I think that was not borne out at all in the Coalition's campaign."For a number of years, the Liberal Party has been removed from what is important to locals, Ms Spender added, and they will have to "really try" to win them back."I feel that the Liberal Party that used to represent this community has gone so far to a conservative party that was not in chime with the values of this community."I don't really want them to win back this seat, I'm really proud to represent this community."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 ListenOther independents not backed by Climate 200 also had a strong showing.In the traditional Labor seat of Fowler, candidate Tu Le failed to win back the seat the party lost to independent Dai Le at the last election.Tu Le, who was on track to be the Labor candidate in 2022, was replaced by high-profile former premier Kristina Kenneally, in what Prime Minister Anthony Albanese recently admitted was a mistake.Independent Dai Le (centre) retained the south-western seat of Fowler which Labor lost at the 2022 election. (ABC News)On Saturday night, Dai Le thanked supporters at a function not long after the polling booths had closed.She lashed out at Labor Party ads that claimed a vote for her would be a vote for Peter Dutton."My understanding is that they spent over a million dollars to campaign against me, and as the mayor [Fairfield City Mayor Frank Carbone] said, he's never seen any major party do that to one individual," she said.In the western NSW seat of Calare, incumbent member Andrew Gee won after his counterpart conceded on Sunday morning.Mr Gee, who had defected from the Nationals in 2022 over the party's stance on the Voice referendum and ran as an independent, claimed victory last night.Posted 47m ago47 minutes agoSun 4 May 2025 at 7:35amShare optionsCopy linkFacebookX (formerly Twitter)Top StoriesLabor victory a 'win for the ages'Topic:ElectionsPhoto shows Smiling Albanese with a coffee at a table with trees behind'Tough results' for Greens, as leader Adam Bandt fights close contest for his seatTopic:Australian GreensPhoto shows Adam Bandt faces several microphones while holding a giant novelty red toothbrush.Nationals MP Barnaby Joyce reveals prostate cancer diagnosisTopic:Australian Federal ElectionsPhoto shows Barnaby Joyce sits in parliament.Labor set for easier Senate as Pocock, Lambie risk being sidelinedTopic:ElectionsPhoto shows David Pocock sits behind Jacqui Lambie while she speaks in the senateAnthony Albanese enters the Labor pantheonCAnalysis by Casey BriggsPhoto shows Four people on stage hold hands in triumph as the crowd takes photosRelated storiesLiberals hold just a handful of NSW seats as Labor, Teal vote surgesTopic:ElectionsPhoto shows Two men smiling in suits with red umbrellas and red Labor signs.NSW seat maintains status as nation's bellwetherTopic:Australian Federal ElectionsPhoto shows Man in a dark suits gives thumbs up sign in front of his own campaign poster.Related topicsAustralian Federal ElectionsElectionsFederal GovernmentFederal ParliamentNSWSydneyTop StoriesLabor victory a 'win for the ages'Topic:ElectionsPhoto shows Smiling Albanese with a coffee at a table with trees behind'Tough results' for Greens, as leader Adam Bandt fights close contest for his seatTopic:Australian GreensNationals MP Barnaby Joyce reveals prostate cancer diagnosisTopic:Australian Federal ElectionsLabor set for easier Senate as Pocock, Lambie risk being sidelinedTopic:ElectionsAnthony Albanese enters the Labor pantheonCAnalysis by Casey BriggsJust InTwo dead, two critical after car crash in GippslandTopic:Road Accidents and Incidents9m ago9 minutes agoSun 4 May 2025 at 8:13amRobinson unable to ride Bells wave, dumped out of Gold Coast ProTopic:Surfing40m ago40 minutes agoSun 4 May 2025 at 7:42amIt wasn't Nampijinpa Price's MAGA hat that lost the NT for the CoalitionMAnalysis by Matt Garrick40m ago40 minutes agoSun 4 May 2025 at 7:42amWhat are Labor's core values, and what have they promised?Topic:Elections43m ago43 minutes agoSun 4 May 2025 at 7:39amMore Just InBack to top