The Electoral Commission has ordered a recount in the Queensland seat of Fairfax after counting showed billionaire Clive Palmer ahead by seven votes.
The resort owner was once the biggest donor and member of the state Liberal-National Party until he quit in late 2012 to set up his own party.
The count gave Mr Palmer 42,337 votes compared to 42,330 votes for the Liberal-National Party candidate. Almost 5000 votes were ruled invalid.
The commission automatically orders a recount any time the margin is fewer than 100 votes and a recount of votes will begin on Thursday.
The ABC reports that will be the only recount held, subject to possible court appeals.
