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.
Josh BURNS (Australian Labor Party) won Macnamara in 2025 with 62,004 of the 100,338 votes in the final count, beating Benson SAULO (Liberal) by 23,670 votes (61.8% to 38.2%). Burns led on first preferences with 36.1% of 100,338 formal votes and passed the 50,170-vote majority at count 4.
100,338 formal votes6 candidates4 counts23,670-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 100,338 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, Michael ABELMAN (Libertarian) was excluded; their 1,299 votes were distributed: 518 (39.9%) to Sean RUBIN; 307 (23.6%) to Benson SAULO; 287 (22.1%) to JB MYERS; 100 (7.7%) to Josh BURNS and 1 more.
On count 2, JB MYERS (Independent) was excluded; their 2,128 votes were distributed: 582 (27.3%) to Sonya SEMMENS; 532 (25.0%) to Sean RUBIN; 511 (24.0%) to Benson SAULO; 503 (23.6%) to Josh BURNS.
On count 3, Sean RUBIN (Pauline Hanson's One Nation) was excluded; their 3,853 votes were distributed: 2,739 (71.1%) to Benson SAULO; 594 (15.4%) to Josh BURNS; 520 (13.5%) to Sonya SEMMENS.
On count 4, Sonya SEMMENS (The Greens) was excluded; their 26,750 votes were distributed: 24,579 (91.9%) to Josh BURNS; 2,171 (8.1%) to Benson SAULO.
Finally, Josh BURNS (Australian Labor Party) won with 62,004 votes to 38,334 for Benson SAULO (Liberal).
Where the preferences went
Macnamara 2025: where each excluded candidate’s votes went
Count
Excluded
Votes distributed
Passed to
1
Michael ABELMANLibertarian
1,299
Sean RUBIN (ON): 518 (39.9%)
Benson SAULO (LP): 307 (23.6%)
JB MYERS (IND): 287 (22.1%)
Josh BURNS (ALP): 100 (7.7%)
Sonya SEMMENS (GVIC): 87 (6.7%)
2
JB MYERSIndependent
2,128
Sonya SEMMENS (GVIC): 582 (27.3%)
Sean RUBIN (ON): 532 (25.0%)
Benson SAULO (LP): 511 (24.0%)
Josh BURNS (ALP): 503 (23.6%)
3
Sean RUBINPauline Hanson's One Nation
3,853
Benson SAULO (LP): 2,739 (71.1%)
Josh BURNS (ALP): 594 (15.4%)
Sonya SEMMENS (GVIC): 520 (13.5%)
4
Sonya SEMMENSThe Greens
26,750
Josh BURNS (ALP): 24,579 (91.9%)
Benson SAULO (LP): 2,171 (8.1%)
Votes after every count
Macnamara 2025: votes held by each candidate after every count (– = excluded)
Candidate
First prefs
Count 1
Count 2
Count 3
Count 4
Josh BURNSAustralian Labor Party · elected
36,228
36,328
36,831
37,425
62,004
Benson SAULOLiberal
32,606
32,913
33,424
36,163
38,334
Sonya SEMMENSThe Greens
25,561
25,648
26,230
26,750
–
Sean RUBINPauline Hanson's One Nation
2,803
3,321
3,853
–
–
JB MYERSIndependent
1,841
2,128
–
–
–
Michael ABELMANLibertarian
1,299
–
–
–
–
2022 Federal election
Josh BURNS (Australian Labor Party) won Macnamara in 2022 with 57,911 of the 93,031 votes in the final count, beating Colleen HARKIN (Liberal) by 22,791 votes (62.2% to 37.8%). Burns led on first preferences with 31.8% of 93,031 formal votes and passed the 46,516-vote majority at count 6.
93,031 formal votes8 candidates6 counts22,791-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 93,031 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, Debera ANNE (Pauline Hanson's One Nation) was excluded; their 1,349 votes were distributed: 530 (39.3%) to Jane Elizabeth HICKEY; 302 (22.4%) to Rob McCATHIE; 188 (13.9%) to John B MYERS; 142 (10.5%) to Colleen HARKIN and 3 more.
On count 2, Ben SCHULTZ (Animal Justice Party) was excluded; their 1,793 votes were distributed: 882 (49.2%) to Steph HODGINS-MAY; 361 (20.1%) to Josh BURNS; 197 (11.0%) to John B MYERS; 138 (7.7%) to Colleen HARKIN and 2 more.
On count 3, John B MYERS (Independent) was excluded; their 2,220 votes were distributed: 602 (27.1%) to Colleen HARKIN; 519 (23.4%) to Steph HODGINS-MAY; 432 (19.5%) to Josh BURNS; 370 (16.7%) to Jane Elizabeth HICKEY and 1 more.
On count 4, Rob McCATHIE (Liberal Democrats) was excluded; their 2,629 votes were distributed: 1,443 (54.9%) to Jane Elizabeth HICKEY; 691 (26.3%) to Colleen HARKIN; 263 (10.0%) to Steph HODGINS-MAY; 232 (8.8%) to Josh BURNS.
On count 5, Jane Elizabeth HICKEY (United Australia Party) was excluded; their 4,536 votes were distributed: 2,778 (61.2%) to Colleen HARKIN; 1,250 (27.6%) to Steph HODGINS-MAY; 508 (11.2%) to Josh BURNS.
On count 6, Steph HODGINS-MAY (The Greens) was excluded; their 30,555 votes were distributed: 26,762 (87.6%) to Josh BURNS; 3,793 (12.4%) to Colleen HARKIN.
Finally, Josh BURNS (Australian Labor Party) won with 57,911 votes to 35,120 for Colleen HARKIN (Liberal).
Where the preferences went
Macnamara 2022: where each excluded candidate’s votes went
Count
Excluded
Votes distributed
Passed to
1
Debera ANNEPauline Hanson's One Nation
1,349
Jane Elizabeth HICKEY (UAPP): 530 (39.3%)
Rob McCATHIE (LDP): 302 (22.4%)
John B MYERS (IND): 188 (13.9%)
Colleen HARKIN (LP): 142 (10.5%)
Ben SCHULTZ (AJP): 69 (5.1%)
Josh BURNS (ALP): 64 (4.7%)
Steph HODGINS-MAY (GVIC): 54 (4.0%)
2
Ben SCHULTZAnimal Justice Party
1,793
Steph HODGINS-MAY (GVIC): 882 (49.2%)
Josh BURNS (ALP): 361 (20.1%)
John B MYERS (IND): 197 (11.0%)
Colleen HARKIN (LP): 138 (7.7%)
Jane Elizabeth HICKEY (UAPP): 131 (7.3%)
Rob McCATHIE (LDP): 84 (4.7%)
3
John B MYERSIndependent
2,220
Colleen HARKIN (LP): 602 (27.1%)
Steph HODGINS-MAY (GVIC): 519 (23.4%)
Josh BURNS (ALP): 432 (19.5%)
Jane Elizabeth HICKEY (UAPP): 370 (16.7%)
Rob McCATHIE (LDP): 297 (13.4%)
4
Rob McCATHIELiberal Democrats
2,629
Jane Elizabeth HICKEY (UAPP): 1,443 (54.9%)
Colleen HARKIN (LP): 691 (26.3%)
Steph HODGINS-MAY (GVIC): 263 (10.0%)
Josh BURNS (ALP): 232 (8.8%)
5
Jane Elizabeth HICKEYUnited Australia Party
4,536
Colleen HARKIN (LP): 2,778 (61.2%)
Steph HODGINS-MAY (GVIC): 1,250 (27.6%)
Josh BURNS (ALP): 508 (11.2%)
6
Steph HODGINS-MAYThe Greens
30,555
Josh BURNS (ALP): 26,762 (87.6%)
Colleen HARKIN (LP): 3,793 (12.4%)
Votes after every count
Macnamara 2022: votes held by each candidate after every count (– = excluded)
Candidate
First prefs
Count 1
Count 2
Count 3
Count 4
Count 5
Count 6
Josh BURNSAustralian Labor Party · elected
29,552
29,616
29,977
30,409
30,641
31,149
57,911
Steph HODGINS-MAYThe Greens
27,587
27,641
28,523
29,042
29,305
30,555
–
Colleen HARKINLiberal
26,976
27,118
27,256
27,858
28,549
31,327
35,120
Jane Elizabeth HICKEYUnited Australia Party
2,062
2,592
2,723
3,093
4,536
–
–
Rob McCATHIELiberal Democrats
1,946
2,248
2,332
2,629
–
–
–
John B MYERSIndependent
1,835
2,023
2,220
–
–
–
–
Ben SCHULTZAnimal Justice Party
1,724
1,793
–
–
–
–
–
Debera ANNEPauline Hanson's One Nation
1,349
–
–
–
–
–
–
2019 Federal election
Josh BURNS (Australian Labor Party) won Macnamara in 2019 with 54,613 of the 97,092 votes in the final count, beating Kate ASHMOR (Liberal) by 12,134 votes (56.2% to 43.8%). Burns came from behind: Ashmor led on first preferences (37.4% to 31.8%) but preferences from excluded candidates put Burns ahead at count 7.
97,092 formal votes9 candidates7 counts12,134-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 97,092 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, Christine KAY (Rise Up Australia Party) was excluded; their 365 votes were distributed: 114 (31.2%) to Kate ASHMOR; 106 (29.0%) to Helen Lucy PATON; 39 (10.7%) to Steven ARMSTRONG; 32 (8.8%) to Craig McPHERSON and 4 more.
On count 2, Chris WALLIS (Independent) was excluded; their 940 votes were distributed: 315 (33.5%) to Ruby O'ROURKE; 181 (19.3%) to Steph HODGINS-MAY; 154 (16.4%) to Kate ASHMOR; 123 (13.1%) to Josh BURNS and 3 more.
On count 3, Steven ARMSTRONG (Sustainable Australia) was excluded; their 1,091 votes were distributed: 326 (29.9%) to Steph HODGINS-MAY; 209 (19.2%) to Craig McPHERSON; 177 (16.2%) to Ruby O'ROURKE; 155 (14.2%) to Kate ASHMOR and 2 more.
On count 4, Helen Lucy PATON (United Australia Party) was excluded; their 1,365 votes were distributed: 653 (47.8%) to Kate ASHMOR; 229 (16.8%) to Ruby O'ROURKE; 182 (13.3%) to Josh BURNS; 175 (12.8%) to Craig McPHERSON and 1 more.
On count 5, Ruby O'ROURKE (Independent) was excluded; their 1,847 votes were distributed: 754 (40.8%) to Steph HODGINS-MAY; 406 (22.0%) to Craig McPHERSON; 394 (21.3%) to Kate ASHMOR; 293 (15.9%) to Josh BURNS.
On count 6, Craig McPHERSON (Animal Justice Party) was excluded; their 2,798 votes were distributed: 1,605 (57.4%) to Steph HODGINS-MAY; 611 (21.8%) to Kate ASHMOR; 582 (20.8%) to Josh BURNS.
On count 7, Steph HODGINS-MAY (The Greens (VIC)) was excluded; their 26,537 votes were distributed: 22,422 (84.5%) to Josh BURNS; 4,115 (15.5%) to Kate ASHMOR.
Finally, Josh BURNS (Australian Labor Party) won with 54,613 votes to 42,479 for Kate ASHMOR (Liberal).
Where the preferences went
Macnamara 2019: where each excluded candidate’s votes went
Count
Excluded
Votes distributed
Passed to
1
Christine KAYRise Up Australia Party
365
Kate ASHMOR (LP): 114 (31.2%)
Helen Lucy PATON (UAPP): 106 (29.0%)
Steven ARMSTRONG (SPP): 39 (10.7%)
Craig McPHERSON (AJP): 32 (8.8%)
Josh BURNS (ALP): 23 (6.3%)
Chris WALLIS (IND): 22 (6.0%)
Ruby O'ROURKE (IND): 18 (4.9%)
Steph HODGINS-MAY (GVIC): 11 (3.0%)
2
Chris WALLISIndependent
940
Ruby O'ROURKE (IND): 315 (33.5%)
Steph HODGINS-MAY (GVIC): 181 (19.3%)
Kate ASHMOR (LP): 154 (16.4%)
Josh BURNS (ALP): 123 (13.1%)
Steven ARMSTRONG (SPP): 78 (8.3%)
Craig McPHERSON (AJP): 57 (6.1%)
Helen Lucy PATON (UAPP): 32 (3.4%)
3
Steven ARMSTRONGSustainable Australia
1,091
Steph HODGINS-MAY (GVIC): 326 (29.9%)
Craig McPHERSON (AJP): 209 (19.2%)
Ruby O'ROURKE (IND): 177 (16.2%)
Kate ASHMOR (LP): 155 (14.2%)
Josh BURNS (ALP): 133 (12.2%)
Helen Lucy PATON (UAPP): 91 (8.3%)
4
Helen Lucy PATONUnited Australia Party
1,365
Kate ASHMOR (LP): 653 (47.8%)
Ruby O'ROURKE (IND): 229 (16.8%)
Josh BURNS (ALP): 182 (13.3%)
Craig McPHERSON (AJP): 175 (12.8%)
Steph HODGINS-MAY (GVIC): 126 (9.2%)
5
Ruby O'ROURKEIndependent
1,847
Steph HODGINS-MAY (GVIC): 754 (40.8%)
Craig McPHERSON (AJP): 406 (22.0%)
Kate ASHMOR (LP): 394 (21.3%)
Josh BURNS (ALP): 293 (15.9%)
6
Craig McPHERSONAnimal Justice Party
2,798
Steph HODGINS-MAY (GVIC): 1,605 (57.4%)
Kate ASHMOR (LP): 611 (21.8%)
Josh BURNS (ALP): 582 (20.8%)
7
Steph HODGINS-MAYThe Greens (VIC)
26,537
Josh BURNS (ALP): 22,422 (84.5%)
Kate ASHMOR (LP): 4,115 (15.5%)
Votes after every count
Macnamara 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
Count 7
Kate ASHMORLiberal
36,283
36,397
36,551
36,706
37,359
37,753
38,364
42,479
Josh BURNSAustralian Labor Party · elected
30,855
30,878
31,001
31,134
31,316
31,609
32,191
54,613
Steph HODGINS-MAYThe Greens (VIC)
23,534
23,545
23,726
24,052
24,178
24,932
26,537
–
Craig McPHERSONAnimal Justice Party
1,919
1,951
2,008
2,217
2,392
2,798
–
–
Helen Lucy PATONUnited Australia Party
1,136
1,242
1,274
1,365
–
–
–
–
Ruby O'ROURKEIndependent
1,108
1,126
1,441
1,618
1,847
–
–
–
Steven ARMSTRONGSustainable Australia
974
1,013
1,091
–
–
–
–
–
Chris WALLISIndependent
918
940
–
–
–
–
–
–
Christine KAYRise Up Australia Party
365
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
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.
