All eyes on future of Singh, Colbeck

Plenty of pre-election speculation focused on Liberal Senator Richard Colbeck, bumped to fifth on the senate ticket by preselectors, and Labor’s Lisa Singh, who was banished to the nearly impossible sixth spot.

Both had their chances boosted by supporter-funded campaigns to see them re-elected, with North-West farming identity Richard Bovill spearheading Senator Colbeck’s campaign. 

With about 100,000 votes still to count and 10 spots all but locked in, Labor and the Liberals each have four spots, with the Greens and the Jacqui Lambie Network securing one each.

Labor had received a 1.34 per cent boost to their vote, with the Liberal vote decreasing by 5.67 per cent. 

Polling experts say Labor, the Liberals and the Greens are fighting out for the remaining two spots, with no indication of whether Senators Colbeck and Singh will be returned expected for quite some time. 

Experts say much will depend on where the preferences from Pauline Hanson’s One Nation (0.34 of a quota) and Family First (0.26 of a quota) flow to.

Psephologist Kevin Bonham said early anecdotal evidence looked good for Senator Singh, having received information she had received between 8-14 per cent in four southern polling booths.

Senator Singh said she was heartened by the support she received but stressed it was much too early to predict if she’d receive another term.

“I did have some scrutineering done but they were very small samples. It’s too early to be firm about those predictions and you would expect my vote to be stronger in the south than elsewhere in the state,” she said.

Senator Colbeck would not comment on Sunday, but told ABC Radio on Saturday that he was pleased with the personal support he had received.