Australia's conservative coalition government has regained its razor-thin parliamentary majority after a by-election in Sydney.
Supporters of Liberal MP John Alexander pack away banners outside a polling station at the close of votin. Photo: AFP
Inner city voters have re-elected The Liberal Party's John Alexander in a special poll triggered by the constitutional crisis caused by citizenship issues among MPs.
Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull's coalition was forced to govern in minority since October, when several cabinet members and his own deputy were found to not to meet the citizen criteria required by parliament.
Mr Alexander - a former professional tennis player - had to renounce his New Zealand citizenship before he could stand for re-election.
If the Liberals lost the by-election, the Federal Government would have lost its one-seat majority in the Lower House.
Mr Turnbull joined Mr Alexander onstage last night to claim victory in front of Liberal Party supporters in Bennelong.
Mr Turnbull was ecstatic - and relieved - as they claimed the win.
"John Alexander is an honest man, he's a hardworking man he has served us for many years. He is a good man, he is my choice today and that's what thousands of people have said," Mr Turnbull said.
"John, you are Bennelong's champion just as you have been Australia's champion."
Mr Alexander said he was grateful and "humbled" by the win.
"This is an extraordinary moment for us. The last four or five weeks have been a tumultuous time and it's been a real battle," Mr Alexander said.
"I think there's many positives to take from this but firstly I think I have to say to the people of Bennelong that it has been regrettable that we had to go through this experience, that we had to have a by-election."
- RNZ / ABC
