Australian election 2016: Turnbull claims victory; Shorten concedes but vows to continue fighting for Medicare

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and the Liberal Party claimed victory on Sunday. Eight days after the Australian federal election, some winners have been declared, with Opposition Leader Bill Shorten offering to seek common ground.

According to the latest tally by the Australian Electoral Commission, the Coalition is expected to win 76 seats, allowing the party to form a government, while Labor will be taking 69 seats. Confident that he won the election, Turnbull addressed the reporters in Sydney on Sunday to claim victory.

“This is a great day today, it’s a great day to thank the Australian people for the decision they have taken in this election and to commit to them, anew our absolutely unrelenting determination to ensure that this Parliament delivers good government, wise legislation and builds on strengths of our economy to ensure that truly our greatest days are yet ahead of us,” the PM said.

He said Shorten called him to admit defeat and congratulate him on being re-elected. He added that Shorten was seeking to reach common ground, and Turnbull welcomed the initiative.

“Because it is vital that this Parliament works. It is vital that we work together and as far as we can, find ways upon which we can all agree, consistent with our policies that we have taken to the election, consistent with our political principles, that we meet the great challenges Australia faces,” he told reporters in Sydney.

Shorten might have conceded, but he vowed the Labor would never stop fighting for Medicare, one of the most contentious points between the ALP and the Liberal-National Coalition.

“As I have said, I wish Malcolm Turnbull well with what the future holds, but we also have a mandate to stand up for Medicare, to make sure schools are properly funded and to make sure that we prioritise Australian jobs amongst platform of the fair go all round, putting people first. We will try and find the common ground that exists,” he told a press conference in Melbourne on Sunday.

He added, “I don’t envy the job Mr Turnbull has got ahead of him trying to corral all of the various diverse forces in his party.”