Australia’s Prime Minister defies election polls

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Australia's Liberal Prime Minister Scott Morrison won re-election, despite two years worth of polls that tipped the election to his opponent, Labor Leader Bill Shorten.

“I have always believed in miracles. I'm standing here with three of the biggest miracles in my life and tonight, we have been delivered another one. How good is Australia and how good are Australians,” said Morrison.

Morrison began the day with cautious optimism, but as the vote count started, it became clear that his campaign, which focused on income tax cuts and risks to the economy under a Shorten government, proved to resonate with the majority of the voters.

“Tonight is not about me or it's not about even the Liberal party. Tonight is about every single Australian who depends on their government to put them first,” he said.

For Shorten, the leader of the left-of-center Labor Party, the results were not what he or many of his supporters expected.

“I know you are hurting, I am hurting too,” he said.

After six years as his party's leader, Shorten announced that he was stepping down from that role.

"Whilst I intend to continue to serve as the member for Maribyrnong, I will not be a candidate in the next Labor leadership ballot,” Shorten said.

Morrison, who is waiting to see if his government will have a majority in Parliament as the vote count resumes on Sunday, told a packed room of supporters that he was focused on the job ahead.

"We've got work to do, and we are going to get back to work for the Australians that we know go to work every day. You face these struggles and chores every day. They are looking for a fair go and they have a go and they are going to get a go from our government,” he said.

(Cover: Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison speaks to party supporters flanked by his wife, Jenny, second left, and daughters Lily, right, and Abbey, after his opponent conceded in the federal election in Sydney, May 19, 2019. /AP Photo)