Ludlam fighting off competition from the Nationals and WikiLeaks party in Western Australia

This article is more than 7 years old

This article is more than 7 years old

Western Australia Greens senator Scott Ludlam seems likely to hold on to his seat, fighting off competition from the Nationals and smaller parties such as the WikiLeaks party.

Ludlam is aiming for the sixth senate spot in Western Australia.

Earlier in the night his party colleague Adam Bandt won the lower house seat of Melbourne with a more than 9% swing to the Greens, defying pre-election predictions of a loss.

The Greens leader, Christine Milne, said her party’s senators could work with the incoming prime minister, Tony Abbott, but they would oppose any attempts to repeal the carbon tax.

"I just cannot understand how people have found it so easy to believe Tony Abbott when he hasn't come out with properly costed policies," she said.

"After the election I think Australia's going to be in for a shock."