UPDATE: Independent MP Nicolette Boele has officially secured her position as the member for Australia’s most marginal seat, Bradfield, after her Liberal challenger, Gisele Kapterian, conceded defeat. This dramatic turn of events comes as Kapterian announced she would abandon a last-ditch legal challenge against the election results, confirming that she now accepts the outcome.
Kapterian stated on Thursday that after a thorough review of the ballot papers, she is satisfied the election result is correct. Boele won the seat by a razor-thin margin of just 26 votes following a recount, which flipped the initial declaration in favor of the Liberals. “Serving this community is the privilege of my lifetime,” Boele expressed in a statement, emphasizing her commitment to serve with integrity and dedication.
The 2025 federal election was pivotal for Boele, who previously cut the Liberal margin down to 4 percent in the 2022 election against then-minister Paul Fletcher. After his retirement, she claimed victory in a seat once considered a Liberal stronghold.
Kapterian remarked on the complexities of ballot paper interpretation, saying, “After asking the on-field decision to go to the video umpire, we had the opportunity to review the play and can now be satisfied the right call was made overall.” She concluded her statement by wishing Boele all the best in her new role and thanked the residents of Bradfield for their support.
In a formal update, the Australian Electoral Commission confirmed it had received notification of Kapterian’s withdrawal of her petition to the Court of Disputed Returns. Consequently, Boele was officially sworn into parliament on July 23, 2025. Electoral Commissioner Jeff Pope praised the integrity of Australia’s democratic processes, commending the commission’s staff for their diligent work during the recounts.
As Boele takes on her new responsibilities, she reflects on the importance of every single vote and the electoral safeguards in place. “While we watch checks and balances erode in other countries, our electoral and judicial processes are something we can genuinely celebrate here at home,” she stated.
Moving forward, political analysts will be watching closely to see how Boele navigates her role in parliament and what impact her victory will have on the Liberal Party’s strategies moving forward. With calls for a “modern Liberal Party” that addresses the concerns of Australians, Kapterian’s concession marks a significant moment in Australian politics.
Stay tuned for more updates as this story develops. The implications of this election outcome resonate beyond the borders of Bradfield, reflecting broader trends in political engagement and electoral integrity across Australia.
