A win is a win: Pyne reaffirms victory as Turnbull considers frontbench
A win is a win is a win, no matter its size.
And senior minister Christopher Pyne says no matter how you look at it - primary vote, two-party preferred, number of seats - the coalition has beaten Labor.
"Whether you win a grand final by one goal or six goals, a win is a win is a win," he told ABC radio on Monday.
"We've actually lost less seats in this election than John Howard lost in 1998."
Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull claimed victory on Sunday after Bill Shorten rang him to concede Labor had lost.
The coalition is on track to win at least 76 seats as counting continues in five seats that are separated by less than 500 votes.
Labor could win 68 seats and the Liberal-held Queensland electorate Herbert is going down to the wire.
Mr Turnbull has arrived in Canberra to determine his new ministry.
He'll have to replace at least three junior ministers who have lost their seats.
There is pressure on him to promote rising stars from the coalition's conservative wing, as well as give the Nationals another cabinet spot on the back of the party's strengthened vote.
An unnamed coalition MP told The Australian: "His theory was to win and win comfortably so the conservatives would all have to kneel at the altar of Malcolm Turnbull; well, I think someone else will be kneeling at the conservative altar now."
Mr Pyne said it was cowardly to make such flowery statements in the press without putting a name to it.
"It sounds very brave and chest-beating when you say it anonymously," he said.
Labor has offered to be co-operative in parliament but shadow treasurer Chris Bowen insists the opposition won't be selling out its values.
"We'll deal with these matters as they arrive but we will not be engaging in the sort of wrecking ball approach that Tony Abbott took (in 2010)," he told ABC radio.
"The Australian people are a bit beyond that sort of tit for tat."
Mr Turnbull's thoughts now turn to replacements for up to three ministers who have lost their seats, with suggestions that he should promote rising conservative stars to placate the coalition's right wing.
The prime minister also needs to sign a new coalition agreement with the Nationals before his re-elected government can be sworn in.
Fortunately, he has time on his side since Governor-General Peter Cosgrove is on an official visit to France over the next week.
Mr Turnbull expected Liberal and Nationals MPs would meet in Canberra on July 18.
Counting continues across the country with five seats still too close to call.
News break – July 11
