Liberal candidate Tim Wilson has successfully reclaimed the Goldstein seat in Melbourne's bayside area, defeating independent candidate Zoe Daniel by a mere 175 votes.

The Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) announced the outcome following a partial recount of ballots, which confirmed Wilson's victory after initial counts showed him leading by 260 votes.

Wilson expressed gratitude to voters on social media, acknowledging both local constituents and those who voted from overseas.

In a statement, he confirmed the final margin and highlighted that he received 50,288 primary votes, which was 14,695 more than Daniel.

He emphasized the need to focus on representing the values and interests of Goldstein in shaping Australia's future.

Daniel, who previously held the seat and was elected in 2022, conceded the election after the recount results were verified.

In her post-election remarks, she congratulated Wilson but noted the significant transformation of the Goldstein electorate, emphasizing its new status as a marginal seat.

She characterized the current political environment as a challenge of resilience, suggesting the path to changing entrenched systems of power remains difficult.

Daniel praised her campaign's commitment to integrity, asserting that her team avoided divisive tactics such as attack advertising and misinformation.

She concluded her remarks with a playful suggestion of a potential rematch in 2028.

The recount process, initiated at Daniel's request after the initial count, involved candidates' scrutineers overseeing the proceedings to ensure transparency.

The AEC reported that the minor shift in vote margin resulted from challenges to the validity of certain ballots and a data entry error identified during the recount.

Wilson's victory in Goldstein marks a rare success for the Liberal Party, which faced one of its most significant electoral setbacks in recent history, winning approximately 43 seats in the House of Representatives amidst severe electoral challenges.