All not lost for Ludlam
Ousted West Australian Greens Senator Scott Ludlam has been awarded the recount he was looking for, after just 14 votes saw him dropped from his seat.
In a complex intertwining of preference allocations and vote margins, Ludlam lost his seat and immediately called for a recount. Reports last week signalled that it was unlikely it would be allowed, but word from social media now suggests otherwise.
Mr Ludlam had appealed a decision not to recount, citing a case in 1980 where a recount revealed a 346 vote discrepancy between the first tally and the second.
With just 14 votes splitting the difference for Ludlam, the recount is most definitely worthwhile, insiders say. It now appears the numbers will be gone over again.
Mr Ludlam voiced his enthusiasm on the popular social network Twitter with the following message: