After weeks of counting, double-checking, and a whole lot of waiting, Nicolette Boele – an independent – has officially taken the federal seat of Bradfield. And get this… she won by just 26 votes. That’s it. Twenty-six. Can you imagine how close that is?
This is a pretty huge deal because the Liberal Party had held onto Bradfield since, like, forever – 76 years to be exact. That’s a long time for one party to hang onto a seat, and now, just like that, it’s in the hands of someone completely new. Honestly, it kind of shows that voters are starting to look for something different. Maybe more local, more personal, and maybe just more real.
People were already calling it a “teal wave” kind of moment, where independent and climate-focused candidates like Boele are shaking things up in areas that used to be solidly Liberal. It doesn’t happen overnight, but this result? It definitely sent a message.
Recount Drama: How It All Changed
At first, everyone thought the Liberal candidate Gisele Kapterian had it in the bag. She was ahead by just 8 votes, which isn’t much, but it was still a lead. Because of how tight that margin was, the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) kicked off a full recount.
Now, the recount wasn’t just about running the numbers again. They went through the ballot papers with a fine-tooth comb. Some votes were challenged, others were ruled out or added back in. It’s a pretty normal part of super-close elections, but it shows how every single vote seriously counts.
By the time the AEC was done, Boele had taken the lead – and by 26 votes no less. It may not sound like much, but in a contest this tight, that’s all it takes. What’s wild is that at one point, people were even talking about a possible tie. Imagine that? But no – Boele pulled ahead, and that’s how the seat flipped.
How Boele Took the News – And What’s Next
When it all became official, Nicolette Boele was, understandably, pretty emotional. I mean, wouldn’t you be? She thanked the people of Bradfield, gave credit to her opponent for keeping things respectful, and said she’s “really looking forward to getting started on the job.”
And you could tell she meant it. This wasn’t some overnight success. Boele had already tried to win Bradfield back in 2022 and came close then too. This time, though, she pulled it off.
She’s all about climate action, honest politics, and actually listening to people – which clearly hit home with a lot of voters. From the start, her campaign was all about community. She had over 1,400 volunteers helping her out. That kind of support doesn’t just happen – it’s built up over time.
Boele says she’s ready to bring the voices of Bradfield to Parliament, not just party lines. So yeah, she’s going in with a purpose.
Is This Really Over? Legal Challenge Could Still Happen
Okay, so even though the AEC called it for Boele, this might not be the end of the story. The Liberal Party is reportedly thinking about taking this to court. Why? Well, during the recount, some votes got flipped or ruled differently than in the original count. In a race this close, that’s enough for them to consider a legal challenge.
If they do go for it, it would go to the Court of Disputed Returns. That could lead to – yep – a by-election. Basically, the whole thing would start over again. But as of now, they haven’t made a move. They’ve got up to 40 days after the writs are returned to decide. So we wait and see.
For now, though, Boele is the winner. And unless that challenge happens and goes through, she’s going to Canberra.
Who Is Nicolette Boele, Anyway?
You might be wondering – who is Nicolette Boele and how did she manage to pull this off?
Well, she’s got a strong background in finance and clean energy. She’s worked in roles that deal with sustainable investing and making climate-conscious decisions in business. Basically, she knows her stuff when it comes to money and the environment – which is kind of the combo a lot of people are looking for right now.
She ran in 2022, didn’t win, but made a dent. Then in 2025, she came back stronger – backed by Climate 200, a group that supports independents focused on climate and political reform. Her campaign was all about connection: real conversations, town halls, and showing up in person.
So even though Bradfield was seen as a safe Liberal seat for decades, Boele proved that no seat is really “safe” if people want change bad enough.
Congratulations Independent Nicolette Boele for winning Bradfield 🩵👏That’s one more strong independent woman in our parliament, and one less Lazy Liberal who was planning to just say No to everything.#ausvotes25 pic.twitter.com/G8UTje4YCF
— stranger (@strangerous10) June 4, 2025
