Just under a third of the seats in the House of Representatives were decided on first preference (primary) votes at the 2016 Federal Election.
By definition, these seats are the most secure for the various parties, since preference distribution cannot change the result. The winner has already secured an absolute majority of at least 50%+1 over every other candidate.
Of the 150 electorates, 48 (32%) were won on the primary vote. There were 53 such seats (35%) at the 2013 election. In 2004, 89 seats (59%) were decided on first preferences.
The Liberal Party was most successful, winning 27 of the 48 seats (56%), including 12 in NSW. The Liberal wins covered 4 states.
The Nationals won 5 seats (10%), including 3 in NSW, giving the coalition 32, or 67% of the total.
The ALP won 16 (33%) of the seats, including 10 in NSW. It won 6 seats in Victoria, but failed to win any more in other states or territories.
| Seats Won On Primary Votes – 2016 Federal Election |
| Party |
NSW |
Vic |
Qld |
WA |
Total |
| Liberal Party |
12 |
8 |
4 |
3 |
27 |
| The Nationals |
3 |
2 |
|
|
5 |
| Australian Labor Party |
10 |
6 |
|
|
16 |
| TOTAL |
25 |
16 |
4 |
3 |
48 |
NSW was the only state to have a majority of seats (25 of 47, or 53%) won on primary votes. In Victoria, 16 seats out of 37 (43%) were won on first preferences. Western Australia recorded 19% and Queensland 13%.
The two smallest states, South Australia and Tasmania, had no seats decided on primaries. The four seats in the two territories all went to preferences.
Cathy McGowan (Ind-Indi) delivers her valedictory speech