Key events
Australia’s “for ever government” has lived up to its name, with Labor retaining power to extend its record reign in the ACT beyond a quarter of a century.
The ACT Labor leader, Andrew Barr, already the longest-serving political leader in the country, fended off a negative swing and an independent surge to win his third election as chief minister.
While there was still more counting to be done, he told supporters he was confident he could once again form a progressive government with the support of a five-member crossbench.
“We will take the progressive, practical and proven policies we have taken to this election and enact them in government with the support, I hope, of a progressive crossbench that sees value in investing in public housing, public health and public education,” he said after triumphing in Saturday’s election.
With more than three-quarters of votes tallied, the ABC election guru Antony Green predicted Labor would cling on to their 10 seats while the Greens would hold three, amounting to the 13 needed to form government in the 25-member legislative assembly.
The Liberals were on track to pick up one seat under their leader Elizabeth Lee, matching Labor on 10, but still saw their share of the vote decline by 0.7%.
For more on this story, read the fully report on Guardian Australia:
Royals visit Sydney church as Australian tour begins
King Charles and Queen Camilla have made their first public appearance in Australia.
The royals briefly met with children outside St Thomas Anglican Church in North Sydney, before attending a church service.
The couple flew into Australia on Friday but spent two days recovering from the flight, making Sunday morning their first appearance.
Crowds turned out for a chance to meet the king and queen ahead of an official meet-and-greet at 11.30am.
The couple was also met by a small group of protesters, with one holding a sign that read “decolonise”.
The trip marks King Charles’s first trip to Australia since becoming King. The itinerary has been heavily pared back due to the king’s cancer diagnosis – the treatment for which has been stopped to enable the trip.
Good morning
And welcome to another Sunday Guardian live blog.
King Charles and Queen Camilla are kicking of their first visit to Australia since the coronation in 2022. The itinerary, which was tightened after the king’s cancer diagnosis, began on Sunday with a church service at St Thomas’ Anglican Church in North Sydney.
Labor has declared victory in the ACT election, extending the party’s two-decade hold over the nation’s capital despite a swing against it. The ACT chief minister, Andrew Barr, retains the position he has held since 2014 and his party will secure power with the Greens, who have held on to three seats, with another two going to independents.
I’m Royce Kurmelovs and I’ll be taking the blog through the day.
With that, let’s get started …
