Australian House of Representatives elections use full-preferential voting: voters number every box. If no candidate has more than half the first-preference votes, the candidate with the fewest is excluded and their ballots pass to each voter’s next preference, repeating until someone has more than half. Practical lesson: rank the candidate you most want to win first and the one you most want to lose last.
Lisa CHESTERS (Australian Labor Party) won Bendigo in 2025 with 54,800 of the 106,617 votes in the final count, beating Andrew LETHLEAN (The Nationals) by 2,983 votes (51.4% to 48.6%). Chesters led on first preferences with 33.6% of 106,617 formal votes and passed the 53,309-vote majority at count 8.
106,617 formal votes10 candidates8 counts2,983-vote final margin
Each column is a count. Bar height = votes held; the candidate with the fewest votes is excluded and their votes flow to the others. Hover or tap a candidate to highlight their flows.
What happened, count by count
Initially 106,617 first-preference votes were counted. The candidate with the fewest votes is excluded and their votes pass to the voters' next preference, and so on until two remain.
On count 1, Matt BANSEMER (Libertarian) was excluded; their 974 votes were distributed: 375 (38.5%) to Heather FREEMAN; 163 (16.7%) to Evelyn KEETELAAR; 122 (12.5%) to Andrew LETHLEAN; 65 (6.7%) to Matt EVANS and 5 more.
On count 2, David VINCENT (Independent) was excluded; their 1,178 votes were distributed: 271 (23.0%) to Wayne TAYLOR; 174 (14.8%) to Lisa CHESTERS; 160 (13.6%) to Avery BARNETT-DACEY; 152 (12.9%) to Evelyn KEETELAAR and 4 more.
On count 3, Rohan TYLER (Victorian Socialists) was excluded; their 1,852 votes were distributed: 1,150 (62.1%) to Avery BARNETT-DACEY; 310 (16.7%) to Wayne TAYLOR; 202 (10.9%) to Lisa CHESTERS; 74 (4.0%) to Evelyn KEETELAAR and 3 more.
On count 4, Evelyn KEETELAAR (Family First) was excluded; their 3,542 votes were distributed: 1,238 (35.0%) to Heather FREEMAN; 686 (19.4%) to Avery BARNETT-DACEY; 562 (15.9%) to Andrew LETHLEAN; 467 (13.2%) to Matt EVANS and 2 more.
On count 5, Wayne TAYLOR (Legalise Cannabis Party) was excluded; their 4,578 votes were distributed: 1,513 (33.0%) to Avery BARNETT-DACEY; 1,027 (22.4%) to Lisa CHESTERS; 846 (18.5%) to Heather FREEMAN; 639 (14.0%) to Andrew LETHLEAN and 1 more.
On count 6, Heather FREEMAN (Pauline Hanson's One Nation) was excluded; their 7,890 votes were distributed: 4,035 (51.1%) to Andrew LETHLEAN; 1,690 (21.4%) to Matt EVANS; 1,092 (13.8%) to Avery BARNETT-DACEY; 1,073 (13.6%) to Lisa CHESTERS.
On count 7, Matt EVANS (Liberal) was excluded; their 14,038 votes were distributed: 11,453 (81.6%) to Andrew LETHLEAN; 1,456 (10.4%) to Lisa CHESTERS; 1,129 (8.0%) to Avery BARNETT-DACEY.
On count 8, Avery BARNETT-DACEY (The Greens) was excluded; their 17,845 votes were distributed: 14,718 (82.5%) to Lisa CHESTERS; 3,127 (17.5%) to Andrew LETHLEAN.
Finally, Lisa CHESTERS (Australian Labor Party) won with 54,800 votes to 51,817 for Andrew LETHLEAN (The Nationals).
Where the preferences went
Bendigo 2025: where each excluded candidate’s votes went
Count
Excluded
Votes distributed
Passed to
1
Matt BANSEMERLibertarian
974
Heather FREEMAN (ON): 375 (38.5%)
Evelyn KEETELAAR (FFPA): 163 (16.7%)
Andrew LETHLEAN (NP): 122 (12.5%)
Matt EVANS (LP): 65 (6.7%)
Lisa CHESTERS (ALP): 63 (6.5%)
Wayne TAYLOR (HMP): 58 (6.0%)
David VINCENT (IND): 57 (5.9%)
Avery BARNETT-DACEY (GVIC): 36 (3.7%)
Rohan TYLER (VNS): 35 (3.6%)
2
David VINCENTIndependent
1,178
Wayne TAYLOR (HMP): 271 (23.0%)
Lisa CHESTERS (ALP): 174 (14.8%)
Avery BARNETT-DACEY (GVIC): 160 (13.6%)
Evelyn KEETELAAR (FFPA): 152 (12.9%)
Heather FREEMAN (ON): 135 (11.5%)
Andrew LETHLEAN (NP): 112 (9.5%)
Rohan TYLER (VNS): 109 (9.3%)
Matt EVANS (LP): 65 (5.5%)
3
Rohan TYLERVictorian Socialists
1,852
Avery BARNETT-DACEY (GVIC): 1,150 (62.1%)
Wayne TAYLOR (HMP): 310 (16.7%)
Lisa CHESTERS (ALP): 202 (10.9%)
Evelyn KEETELAAR (FFPA): 74 (4.0%)
Andrew LETHLEAN (NP): 60 (3.2%)
Heather FREEMAN (ON): 34 (1.8%)
Matt EVANS (LP): 22 (1.2%)
4
Evelyn KEETELAARFamily First
3,542
Heather FREEMAN (ON): 1,238 (35.0%)
Avery BARNETT-DACEY (GVIC): 686 (19.4%)
Andrew LETHLEAN (NP): 562 (15.9%)
Matt EVANS (LP): 467 (13.2%)
Lisa CHESTERS (ALP): 316 (8.9%)
Wayne TAYLOR (HMP): 273 (7.7%)
5
Wayne TAYLORLegalise Cannabis Party
4,578
Avery BARNETT-DACEY (GVIC): 1,513 (33.0%)
Lisa CHESTERS (ALP): 1,027 (22.4%)
Heather FREEMAN (ON): 846 (18.5%)
Andrew LETHLEAN (NP): 639 (14.0%)
Matt EVANS (LP): 553 (12.1%)
6
Heather FREEMANPauline Hanson's One Nation
7,890
Andrew LETHLEAN (NP): 4,035 (51.1%)
Matt EVANS (LP): 1,690 (21.4%)
Avery BARNETT-DACEY (GVIC): 1,092 (13.8%)
Lisa CHESTERS (ALP): 1,073 (13.6%)
7
Matt EVANSLiberal
14,038
Andrew LETHLEAN (NP): 11,453 (81.6%)
Lisa CHESTERS (ALP): 1,456 (10.4%)
Avery BARNETT-DACEY (GVIC): 1,129 (8.0%)
8
Avery BARNETT-DACEYThe Greens
17,845
Lisa CHESTERS (ALP): 14,718 (82.5%)
Andrew LETHLEAN (NP): 3,127 (17.5%)
Votes after every count
Bendigo 2025: votes held by each candidate after every count (– = excluded)
Candidate
First prefs
Count 1
Count 2
Count 3
Count 4
Count 5
Count 6
Count 7
Count 8
Lisa CHESTERSAustralian Labor Party · elected
35,771
35,834
36,008
36,210
36,526
37,553
38,626
40,082
54,800
Andrew LETHLEANThe Nationals
31,707
31,829
31,941
32,001
32,563
33,202
37,237
48,690
51,817
Avery BARNETT-DACEYThe Greens
12,079
12,115
12,275
13,425
14,111
15,624
16,716
17,845
–
Matt EVANSLiberal
11,176
11,241
11,306
11,328
11,795
12,348
14,038
–
–
Heather FREEMANPauline Hanson's One Nation
5,262
5,637
5,772
5,806
7,044
7,890
–
–
–
Wayne TAYLORLegalise Cannabis Party
3,666
3,724
3,995
4,305
4,578
–
–
–
–
Evelyn KEETELAARFamily First
3,153
3,316
3,468
3,542
–
–
–
–
–
Rohan TYLERVictorian Socialists
1,708
1,743
1,852
–
–
–
–
–
–
David VINCENTIndependent
1,121
1,178
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
Matt BANSEMERLibertarian
974
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
2022 Federal election
Lisa CHESTERS (Australian Labor Party) won Bendigo in 2022 with 61,968 of the 99,779 votes in the final count, beating Darin SCHADE (Liberal) by 24,157 votes (62.1% to 37.9%). Chesters led on first preferences with 43.0% of 99,779 formal votes and passed the 49,890-vote majority at count 5.
99,779 formal votes7 candidates5 counts24,157-vote final margin
Each column is a count. Bar height = votes held; the candidate with the fewest votes is excluded and their votes flow to the others. Hover or tap a candidate to highlight their flows.
What happened, count by count
Initially 99,779 first-preference votes were counted. The candidate with the fewest votes is excluded and their votes pass to the voters' next preference, and so on until two remain.
On count 1, Matt BANSEMER (Liberal Democrats) was excluded; their 2,888 votes were distributed: 1,152 (39.9%) to Elijah SUARES; 600 (20.8%) to Darin SCHADE; 544 (18.8%) to Ben MIHAIL; 272 (9.4%) to James LAURIE and 2 more.
On count 2, James LAURIE (Independent) was excluded; their 4,591 votes were distributed: 1,407 (30.6%) to Ben MIHAIL; 1,302 (28.4%) to Lisa CHESTERS; 663 (14.4%) to Darin SCHADE; 626 (13.6%) to Cate SINCLAIR and 1 more.
On count 3, Elijah SUARES (United Australia Party) was excluded; their 5,324 votes were distributed: 3,997 (75.1%) to Ben MIHAIL; 491 (9.2%) to Darin SCHADE; 480 (9.0%) to Lisa CHESTERS; 356 (6.7%) to Cate SINCLAIR.
On count 4, Ben MIHAIL (Pauline Hanson's One Nation) was excluded; their 11,456 votes were distributed: 6,527 (57.0%) to Darin SCHADE; 2,778 (24.2%) to Lisa CHESTERS; 2,151 (18.8%) to Cate SINCLAIR.
On count 5, Cate SINCLAIR (The Greens) was excluded; their 17,305 votes were distributed: 14,351 (82.9%) to Lisa CHESTERS; 2,954 (17.1%) to Darin SCHADE.
Finally, Lisa CHESTERS (Australian Labor Party) won with 61,968 votes to 37,811 for Darin SCHADE (Liberal).
Where the preferences went
Bendigo 2022: where each excluded candidate’s votes went
Count
Excluded
Votes distributed
Passed to
1
Matt BANSEMERLiberal Democrats
2,888
Elijah SUARES (UAPP): 1,152 (39.9%)
Darin SCHADE (LP): 600 (20.8%)
Ben MIHAIL (ON): 544 (18.8%)
James LAURIE (IND): 272 (9.4%)
Lisa CHESTERS (ALP): 174 (6.0%)
Cate SINCLAIR (GVIC): 146 (5.1%)
2
James LAURIEIndependent
4,591
Ben MIHAIL (ON): 1,407 (30.6%)
Lisa CHESTERS (ALP): 1,302 (28.4%)
Darin SCHADE (LP): 663 (14.4%)
Cate SINCLAIR (GVIC): 626 (13.6%)
Elijah SUARES (UAPP): 593 (12.9%)
3
Elijah SUARESUnited Australia Party
5,324
Ben MIHAIL (ON): 3,997 (75.1%)
Darin SCHADE (LP): 491 (9.2%)
Lisa CHESTERS (ALP): 480 (9.0%)
Cate SINCLAIR (GVIC): 356 (6.7%)
4
Ben MIHAILPauline Hanson's One Nation
11,456
Darin SCHADE (LP): 6,527 (57.0%)
Lisa CHESTERS (ALP): 2,778 (24.2%)
Cate SINCLAIR (GVIC): 2,151 (18.8%)
5
Cate SINCLAIRThe Greens
17,305
Lisa CHESTERS (ALP): 14,351 (82.9%)
Darin SCHADE (LP): 2,954 (17.1%)
Votes after every count
Bendigo 2022: votes held by each candidate after every count (– = excluded)
Candidate
First prefs
Count 1
Count 2
Count 3
Count 4
Count 5
Lisa CHESTERSAustralian Labor Party · elected
42,883
43,057
44,359
44,839
47,617
61,968
Darin SCHADELiberal
26,576
27,176
27,839
28,330
34,857
37,811
Cate SINCLAIRThe Greens
14,026
14,172
14,798
15,154
17,305
–
Ben MIHAILPauline Hanson's One Nation
5,508
6,052
7,459
11,456
–
–
James LAURIEIndependent
4,319
4,591
–
–
–
–
Elijah SUARESUnited Australia Party
3,579
4,731
5,324
–
–
–
Matt BANSEMERLiberal Democrats
2,888
–
–
–
–
–
2019 Federal election
Lisa CHESTERS (Australian Labor Party) won Bendigo in 2019 with 60,016 of the 101,661 votes in the final count, beating Sam GAYED (Liberal) by 18,371 votes (59.0% to 41.0%). Chesters led on first preferences with 43.6% of 101,661 formal votes and passed the 50,831-vote majority at count 5.
101,661 formal votes7 candidates5 counts18,371-vote final margin
Each column is a count. Bar height = votes held; the candidate with the fewest votes is excluded and their votes flow to the others. Hover or tap a candidate to highlight their flows.
What happened, count by count
Initially 101,661 first-preference votes were counted. The candidate with the fewest votes is excluded and their votes pass to the voters' next preference, and so on until two remain.
On count 1, Sharon BUDDE (Rise Up Australia Party) was excluded; their 1,464 votes were distributed: 432 (29.5%) to Robert HOLIAN; 249 (17.0%) to Lisa CHESTERS; 246 (16.8%) to Sam GAYED; 193 (13.2%) to Adam VEITCH and 2 more.
On count 2, Julie HOSKIN (FRASER ANNING'S CONSERVATIVE NATIONAL PARTY) was excluded; their 1,836 votes were distributed: 1,050 (57.2%) to Vaughan WILLIAMS; 283 (15.4%) to Sam GAYED; 230 (12.5%) to Adam VEITCH; 158 (8.6%) to Lisa CHESTERS and 1 more.
On count 3, Adam VEITCH (United Australia Party) was excluded; their 4,744 votes were distributed: 1,743 (36.7%) to Sam GAYED; 1,683 (35.5%) to Vaughan WILLIAMS; 894 (18.8%) to Lisa CHESTERS; 424 (8.9%) to Robert HOLIAN.
On count 4, Vaughan WILLIAMS (Pauline Hanson's One Nation) was excluded; their 9,186 votes were distributed: 5,167 (56.2%) to Sam GAYED; 2,594 (28.2%) to Lisa CHESTERS; 1,425 (15.5%) to Robert HOLIAN.
On count 5, Robert HOLIAN (The Greens (VIC)) was excluded; their 13,777 votes were distributed: 11,781 (85.5%) to Lisa CHESTERS; 1,996 (14.5%) to Sam GAYED.
Finally, Lisa CHESTERS (Australian Labor Party) won with 60,016 votes to 41,645 for Sam GAYED (Liberal).
Where the preferences went
Bendigo 2019: where each excluded candidate’s votes went
Count
Excluded
Votes distributed
Passed to
1
Sharon BUDDERise Up Australia Party
1,464
Robert HOLIAN (GVIC): 432 (29.5%)
Lisa CHESTERS (ALP): 249 (17.0%)
Sam GAYED (LP): 246 (16.8%)
Adam VEITCH (UAPP): 193 (13.2%)
Vaughan WILLIAMS (ON): 175 (12.0%)
Julie HOSKIN (FACN): 169 (11.5%)
2
Julie HOSKINFRASER ANNING'S CONSERVATIVE NATIONAL PARTY
1,836
Vaughan WILLIAMS (ON): 1,050 (57.2%)
Sam GAYED (LP): 283 (15.4%)
Adam VEITCH (UAPP): 230 (12.5%)
Lisa CHESTERS (ALP): 158 (8.6%)
Robert HOLIAN (GVIC): 115 (6.3%)
3
Adam VEITCHUnited Australia Party
4,744
Sam GAYED (LP): 1,743 (36.7%)
Vaughan WILLIAMS (ON): 1,683 (35.5%)
Lisa CHESTERS (ALP): 894 (18.8%)
Robert HOLIAN (GVIC): 424 (8.9%)
4
Vaughan WILLIAMSPauline Hanson's One Nation
9,186
Sam GAYED (LP): 5,167 (56.2%)
Lisa CHESTERS (ALP): 2,594 (28.2%)
Robert HOLIAN (GVIC): 1,425 (15.5%)
5
Robert HOLIANThe Greens (VIC)
13,777
Lisa CHESTERS (ALP): 11,781 (85.5%)
Sam GAYED (LP): 1,996 (14.5%)
Votes after every count
Bendigo 2019: votes held by each candidate after every count (– = excluded)
Candidate
First prefs
Count 1
Count 2
Count 3
Count 4
Count 5
Lisa CHESTERSAustralian Labor Party · elected
44,340
44,589
44,747
45,641
48,235
60,016
Sam GAYEDLiberal
32,210
32,456
32,739
34,482
39,649
41,645
Robert HOLIANThe Greens (VIC)
11,381
11,813
11,928
12,352
13,777
–
Vaughan WILLIAMSPauline Hanson's One Nation
6,278
6,453
7,503
9,186
–
–
Adam VEITCHUnited Australia Party
4,321
4,514
4,744
–
–
–
Julie HOSKINFRASER ANNING'S CONSERVATIVE NATIONAL PARTY
1,667
1,836
–
–
–
–
Sharon BUDDERise Up Australia Party
1,464
–
–
–
–
–
About this page
Australian House of Representatives elections use full-preferential voting: voters number every box. If no candidate has more than half the first-preference votes, the candidate with the fewest is excluded and their ballots pass to each voter’s next preference, repeating until someone has more than half. Practical lesson: rank the candidate you most want to win first and the one you most want to lose last.
