Overview

• The NSW Liberal Party filed a petition in the Court of Disputed Returns on July 14, seeking a targeted review of ‘line-ball’ ballots in Bradfield.
• The challenge follows an automatic recount that reversed an initial eight-vote Liberal lead into a 26-vote margin winning the seat for independent Nicolette Boele.
• Boele, declared the provisional victor on June 4 and backed by Simon Holmes à Court’s Climate 200, has pledged to defend her narrow win.
• Under electoral law, challenges to federal results must be lodged within 40 days of the election writ, triggering a prompt judicial review.
• The judge’s decision will test voter intent in a seat held by the Liberals since 1949 and could shape procedures for future close races.