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.
Pat CONAGHAN (The Nationals) won Cowper in 2025 with 56,609 of the 107,735 votes in the final count, beating Caz HEISE (Independent) by 5,483 votes (52.5% to 47.5%). Conaghan led on first preferences with 37.9% of 107,735 formal votes and passed the 53,868-vote majority at count 9.
107,735 formal votes11 candidates9 counts5,483-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 107,735 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, Geoffrey MARLOW (FUSION | Planet Rescue | Whistleblower Protection | Innovation) was excluded; their 255 votes were distributed: 52 (20.4%) to Caz HEISE; 46 (18.0%) to Wendy FIREFLY; 42 (16.5%) to Megan MATHEW; 38 (14.9%) to Chris WALSH and 6 more.
On count 2, Zeke DALEY (Independent) was excluded; their 909 votes were distributed: 246 (27.1%) to Caz HEISE; 156 (17.2%) to Greg VIGORS; 144 (15.8%) to Megan MATHEW; 133 (14.6%) to Pat CONAGHAN and 5 more.
On count 3, Paul TEMPLETON (Libertarian) was excluded; their 1,442 votes were distributed: 348 (24.1%) to Chris WALSH; 301 (20.9%) to Pat CONAGHAN; 270 (18.7%) to Peter JACKEL; 142 (9.8%) to Geoffrey SHANNON and 4 more.
On count 4, Geoffrey SHANNON (Trumpet of Patriots) was excluded; their 1,757 votes were distributed: 571 (32.5%) to Chris WALSH; 419 (23.8%) to Pat CONAGHAN; 260 (14.8%) to Megan MATHEW; 180 (10.2%) to Peter JACKEL and 3 more.
On count 5, Peter JACKEL (Family First) was excluded; their 2,358 votes were distributed: 1,362 (57.8%) to Chris WALSH; 370 (15.7%) to Pat CONAGHAN; 227 (9.6%) to Caz HEISE; 163 (6.9%) to Megan MATHEW and 2 more.
On count 6, Wendy FIREFLY (The Greens) was excluded; their 4,901 votes were distributed: 2,577 (52.6%) to Caz HEISE; 1,124 (22.9%) to Greg VIGORS; 790 (16.1%) to Megan MATHEW; 258 (5.3%) to Pat CONAGHAN and 1 more.
On count 7, Megan MATHEW (Legalise Cannabis Party) was excluded; their 6,717 votes were distributed: 2,156 (32.1%) to Caz HEISE; 1,814 (27.0%) to Greg VIGORS; 1,473 (21.9%) to Pat CONAGHAN; 1,274 (19.0%) to Chris WALSH.
On count 8, Chris WALSH (Pauline Hanson's One Nation) was excluded; their 10,646 votes were distributed: 6,714 (63.1%) to Pat CONAGHAN; 2,838 (26.7%) to Caz HEISE; 1,094 (10.3%) to Greg VIGORS.
On count 9, Greg VIGORS (Labor) was excluded; their 17,206 votes were distributed: 11,109 (64.6%) to Caz HEISE; 6,097 (35.4%) to Pat CONAGHAN.
Finally, Pat CONAGHAN (The Nationals) won with 56,609 votes to 51,126 for Caz HEISE (Independent).
Where the preferences went
Cowper 2025: where each excluded candidate’s votes went
Pat CONAGHAN (The Nationals) won Cowper in 2022 with 58,204 of the 111,236 votes in the final count, beating Caz HEISE (Independent) by 5,172 votes (52.3% to 47.7%). Conaghan led on first preferences with 39.5% of 111,236 formal votes and passed the 55,619-vote majority at count 5.
111,236 formal votes7 candidates5 counts5,172-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 111,236 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, Joshua Stephen FAIRHALL (United Australia Party) was excluded; their 2,674 votes were distributed: 1,169 (43.7%) to Faye ASPIOTIS; 462 (17.3%) to Simon CHASELING; 353 (13.2%) to Caz HEISE; 283 (10.6%) to Pat CONAGHAN and 2 more.
On count 2, Simon CHASELING (Liberal Democrats) was excluded; their 4,778 votes were distributed: 1,764 (36.9%) to Pat CONAGHAN; 1,461 (30.6%) to Faye ASPIOTIS; 799 (16.7%) to Caz HEISE; 400 (8.4%) to Keith McMULLEN and 1 more.
On count 3, Timothy NOTT (The Greens) was excluded; their 7,123 votes were distributed: 3,729 (52.4%) to Caz HEISE; 2,268 (31.8%) to Keith McMULLEN; 631 (8.9%) to Pat CONAGHAN; 495 (6.9%) to Faye ASPIOTIS.
On count 4, Faye ASPIOTIS (Pauline Hanson's One Nation) was excluded; their 12,172 votes were distributed: 5,482 (45.0%) to Pat CONAGHAN; 4,221 (34.7%) to Caz HEISE; 2,469 (20.3%) to Keith McMULLEN.
On count 5, Keith McMULLEN (Labor) was excluded; their 20,859 votes were distributed: 14,724 (70.6%) to Caz HEISE; 6,135 (29.4%) to Pat CONAGHAN.
Finally, Pat CONAGHAN (The Nationals) won with 58,204 votes to 53,032 for Caz HEISE (Independent).
Where the preferences went
Cowper 2022: where each excluded candidate’s votes went
Count
Excluded
Votes distributed
Passed to
1
Joshua Stephen FAIRHALLUnited Australia Party
2,674
Faye ASPIOTIS (ON): 1,169 (43.7%)
Simon CHASELING (LDP): 462 (17.3%)
Caz HEISE (IND): 353 (13.2%)
Pat CONAGHAN (NP): 283 (10.6%)
Timothy NOTT (GRN): 251 (9.4%)
Keith McMULLEN (ALP): 156 (5.8%)
2
Simon CHASELINGLiberal Democrats
4,778
Pat CONAGHAN (NP): 1,764 (36.9%)
Faye ASPIOTIS (ON): 1,461 (30.6%)
Caz HEISE (IND): 799 (16.7%)
Keith McMULLEN (ALP): 400 (8.4%)
Timothy NOTT (GRN): 354 (7.4%)
3
Timothy NOTTThe Greens
7,123
Caz HEISE (IND): 3,729 (52.4%)
Keith McMULLEN (ALP): 2,268 (31.8%)
Pat CONAGHAN (NP): 631 (8.9%)
Faye ASPIOTIS (ON): 495 (6.9%)
4
Faye ASPIOTISPauline Hanson's One Nation
12,172
Pat CONAGHAN (NP): 5,482 (45.0%)
Caz HEISE (IND): 4,221 (34.7%)
Keith McMULLEN (ALP): 2,469 (20.3%)
5
Keith McMULLENLabor
20,859
Caz HEISE (IND): 14,724 (70.6%)
Pat CONAGHAN (NP): 6,135 (29.4%)
Votes after every count
Cowper 2022: votes held by each candidate after every count (– = excluded)
Candidate
First prefs
Count 1
Count 2
Count 3
Count 4
Count 5
Pat CONAGHANThe Nationals · elected
43,909
44,192
45,956
46,587
52,069
58,204
Caz HEISEIndependent
29,206
29,559
30,358
34,087
38,308
53,032
Keith McMULLENLabor
15,566
15,722
16,122
18,390
20,859
–
Faye ASPIOTISPauline Hanson's One Nation
9,047
10,216
11,677
12,172
–
–
Timothy NOTTThe Greens
6,518
6,769
7,123
–
–
–
Simon CHASELINGLiberal Democrats
4,316
4,778
–
–
–
–
Joshua Stephen FAIRHALLUnited Australia Party
2,674
–
–
–
–
–
2019 Federal election
Pat CONAGHAN (The Nationals) won Cowper in 2019 with 59,932 of the 105,528 votes in the final count, beating Robert OAKESHOTT (Independent) by 14,336 votes (56.8% to 43.2%). Conaghan led on first preferences with 47.1% of 105,528 formal votes and passed the 52,765-vote majority at count 4.
105,528 formal votes8 candidates6 counts14,336-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 105,528 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, Allan GREEN (Independent) was excluded; their 1,451 votes were distributed: 360 (24.8%) to Robert OAKESHOTT; 360 (24.8%) to Kellie PEARCE; 215 (14.8%) to Lauren EDWARDS; 203 (14.0%) to Pat CONAGHAN and 3 more.
On count 2, Ruth MEADS (Christian Democratic Party (Fred Nile Group)) was excluded; their 2,467 votes were distributed: 1,467 (59.5%) to Pat CONAGHAN; 332 (13.5%) to Alexander STEWART; 287 (11.6%) to Robert OAKESHOTT; 166 (6.7%) to Kellie PEARCE and 2 more.
On count 3, Kellie PEARCE (Animal Justice Party) was excluded; their 2,702 votes were distributed: 1,125 (41.6%) to Lauren EDWARDS; 588 (21.8%) to Robert OAKESHOTT; 411 (15.2%) to Pat CONAGHAN; 292 (10.8%) to Alexander STEWART and 1 more.
On count 4, Alexander STEWART (United Australia Party) was excluded; their 3,911 votes were distributed: 2,016 (51.5%) to Pat CONAGHAN; 989 (25.3%) to Robert OAKESHOTT; 468 (12.0%) to Andrew WOODWARD; 438 (11.2%) to Lauren EDWARDS.
On count 5, Lauren EDWARDS (The Greens) was excluded; their 8,104 votes were distributed: 4,056 (50.0%) to Robert OAKESHOTT; 2,766 (34.1%) to Andrew WOODWARD; 1,282 (15.8%) to Pat CONAGHAN.
On count 6, Andrew WOODWARD (Labor) was excluded; their 18,354 votes were distributed: 13,469 (73.4%) to Robert OAKESHOTT; 4,885 (26.6%) to Pat CONAGHAN.
Finally, Pat CONAGHAN (The Nationals) won with 59,932 votes to 45,596 for Robert OAKESHOTT (Independent).
Where the preferences went
Cowper 2019: where each excluded candidate’s votes went
Count
Excluded
Votes distributed
Passed to
1
Allan GREENIndependent
1,451
Robert OAKESHOTT (IND): 360 (24.8%)
Kellie PEARCE (AJP): 360 (24.8%)
Lauren EDWARDS (GRN): 215 (14.8%)
Pat CONAGHAN (NP): 203 (14.0%)
Andrew WOODWARD (ALP): 130 (9.0%)
Alexander STEWART (UAPP): 99 (6.8%)
Ruth MEADS (CDP): 84 (5.8%)
2
Ruth MEADSChristian Democratic Party (Fred Nile Group)
2,467
Pat CONAGHAN (NP): 1,467 (59.5%)
Alexander STEWART (UAPP): 332 (13.5%)
Robert OAKESHOTT (IND): 287 (11.6%)
Kellie PEARCE (AJP): 166 (6.7%)
Andrew WOODWARD (ALP): 153 (6.2%)
Lauren EDWARDS (GRN): 62 (2.5%)
3
Kellie PEARCEAnimal Justice Party
2,702
Lauren EDWARDS (GRN): 1,125 (41.6%)
Robert OAKESHOTT (IND): 588 (21.8%)
Pat CONAGHAN (NP): 411 (15.2%)
Alexander STEWART (UAPP): 292 (10.8%)
Andrew WOODWARD (ALP): 286 (10.6%)
4
Alexander STEWARTUnited Australia Party
3,911
Pat CONAGHAN (NP): 2,016 (51.5%)
Robert OAKESHOTT (IND): 989 (25.3%)
Andrew WOODWARD (ALP): 468 (12.0%)
Lauren EDWARDS (GRN): 438 (11.2%)
5
Lauren EDWARDSThe Greens
8,104
Robert OAKESHOTT (IND): 4,056 (50.0%)
Andrew WOODWARD (ALP): 2,766 (34.1%)
Pat CONAGHAN (NP): 1,282 (15.8%)
6
Andrew WOODWARDLabor
18,354
Robert OAKESHOTT (IND): 13,469 (73.4%)
Pat CONAGHAN (NP): 4,885 (26.6%)
Votes after every count
Cowper 2019: votes held by each candidate after every count (– = excluded)
Candidate
First prefs
Count 1
Count 2
Count 3
Count 4
Count 5
Count 6
Pat CONAGHANThe Nationals · elected
49,668
49,871
51,338
51,749
53,765
55,047
59,932
Robert OAKESHOTTIndependent
25,847
26,207
26,494
27,082
28,071
32,127
45,596
Andrew WOODWARDLabor
14,551
14,681
14,834
15,120
15,588
18,354
–
Lauren EDWARDSThe Greens
6,264
6,479
6,541
7,666
8,104
–
–
Alexander STEWARTUnited Australia Party
3,188
3,287
3,619
3,911
–
–
–
Ruth MEADSChristian Democratic Party (Fred Nile Group)
2,383
2,467
–
–
–
–
–
Kellie PEARCEAnimal Justice Party
2,176
2,536
2,702
–
–
–
–
Allan GREENIndependent
1,451
–
–
–
–
–
–
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.
