THOUGH the count is ongoing, Labor has claimed victory in the new federal seat of Bullwinkel with the contesting candidates conceding defeat by Saturday, May 10.

By Thursday, May 15, Bullwinkel’s count was 87.38 per cent complete with 106,100 votes counted from the 121,429 eligible electors in the area, according to data from the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC).

This now boosts the lead for Labor candidate for Bullwinkel Trish Cook to 1171, widening the gap between the leading candidates who only had 100 votes difference between them last week.

The new electorate was at the centre of a tense three-pronged contest between leading candidates from Labor, Liberal and the Nationals.

On Wednesday afternoon, May 7 the ABC reported Ms Cook was in the lead by 95 votes which left the possibility of a recount looming as per the AEC’s standards.

But by Thursday morning last week, the lead had extended to 175 votes ahead of Liberal candidate Matt Moran.

Later that day, Nationals candidate Mia Davies who was in third place dropped out of the Bullwinkel race, releasing a statement on her page.

“To Matt Moran and Trish Cook, with the result still undecided in Bullwinkel, I wish you both the very best,” she said.

“On this occasion we did not succeed but that does not equate to a lack of effort or conviction.”

Ms Davies indicated her plans to leave politics following the end of her Bullwinkel campaign.

“The end of this campaign draws a line under a chapter of my life that has been dominated by politics,” she said.

“I hope there is something out there that will give me the same satisfaction I have gained from serving the Central Wheatbelt, state parliament and The Nationals for 17 years.”

Despite the final result pending from the AEC, Ms Cook took to Facebook to thank her supporters on Friday and expressed her appreciation as the inaugural member for Bullwinkel.

“I’m so grateful to be the first ever member for Bullwinkel, I’ve advocated for my patients and my community my whole life and I will continue to advocate for Bullwinkel as your local member,” she said.

“Thank you to my volunteers for an incredible campaign, I’d like to thank everyone who played a role in this campaign.”

In response to questions from Echo News about her immediate priorities following the victory, Ms Cook said she was eager to realise her commitments toward health, childcare and bushfire preparedness outcomes in the hills.

“I’m looking forward to delivering my election commitments which include a Medicare Urgent Care Clinic in Mundaring, a Medicare Mental Health Centre in Kalamunda, a childcare centre in Mundaring, $2.9 million for Hartfield Park, and $3.9m for six volunteer bush fire brigades across Perth Hills,” she said.

“I’ve worked as a health professional for most of my working life and I have unique lived experience in hospitals, GP clinics, on offshore rigs, and as a small business owner offering remote nursing services.

“I look forward to sharing these insights with my caucus, in committees and in the House of Representatives.”

Mr Moran released a statement the day after to his followers conceding his defeat at the 2025 election.

“The result in Bullwinkel is now clear, and while it’s not the outcome we had hoped for, I called Trish Cook today to congratulate her,” he said.

“I want to sincerely thank everyone who supported me throughout this campaign - those who voted for me, volunteered, or sent kind words of encouragement.

“I am very grateful, your support means so much to me and my team.”

Mr Moran indicated that though he had lost the seat, he planned to contest when the opportunity to represent Bullwinkel appeared again.

“The true test of character is how you react when things don’t go your way,” he said.

“I will remain active in the community, and I hope to seek elected office again in the future.”