Australian PM welcomes election victory

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison has won the election and during his speech, he called it a miracle. Morrison only led the government since last August, when Liberal Party colleagues lost confidence in his predecessor, Malcolm Turnbull.

Sydney: Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison has welcomed his surprising election victory by calling it a miracle.

Addressing a jubilant crowd of supporters of his conservative coalition in Sydney, Morrison said, "I have always believed in miracles."

Centre-left Labor Party leader Bill Shorten had been favored to win Saturday's election and had campaigned heavily on reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Morrison has only led the government since last August, when Liberal Party colleagues lost confidence in his predecessor, Malcolm Turnbull.'

Newly re-elected Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison on Sunday thanked the public, his staff and volunteers in the southern Sydney area and the electoral division of Cook, which he serves as a member of Parliament.

He was speaking before attending church in Sydney.

Australia's ruling conservative coalition won a surprise victory in the country's general election on Saturday, defying opinion polls that had tipped the centre-left opposition party to oust it from power and promising an end to the revolving door of national leaders.

Opposition leader Bill Shorten had earlier conceded defeat as the coalition came close to a majority in the 151-seat House of Representatives, where parties need a majority to form a government.

Vote counting was to continue on Sunday.