Liberal insider describes 'grim' result during massive swing against Dutton in early vote count: 'Houston, we have a problem!'
Early results showed the Coalition's party vote beginning to trail behind Labor's, Daily Mail Australia political editor Peter van Onselen said.
'If that trend continues Peter Dutton is in trouble and I don't just mean his bid to become PM,' PVO said.
'That includes holding onto the Opposition Leadership, perhaps even his own seat.
'And to be self deprecating my predictions of a minority government would also go out the window.
'Pre-poll is starting to look like the only thing that can save the Coalition from a disaster.'
PVO added that a Liberal insider had told him: 'It's grim, Houston we have a problem'.
'A reference to Apollo 13. He says their scrutineers are as glum as the early figures look.
'There is no way the Coalition can win this election even with just these early numbers.
'Certainly not with a majority of their own, but even in minority. While it is too early to rule in or out the Coalition taking away Labor's majority, one way or the other Anthony Albanese has won this election.
'Even if pre-poll votes see sizeable swings back to the Coalition it won't be enough to overturn an informed prediction that Labor has won this election.'
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