The Albanese government has managed to hang on to the Victorian seat of Dunkley in a by-election, but it’s not all good news for the prime minister, according to the defeated Liberal Party.

Anthony Albanese got his 61st birthday wish on Saturday when community leader Jodie Belyea retained the seat in Melbourne’s southeast in the poll, which was triggered by the death of MP Peta Murphy in December.

With more than 70 per cent counted on Saturday night, Ms Belyea led the Liberal Party’s Nathan Conroy 52.5 per cent to 47.5 per cent two party-preferred, according to the ABC. 

“Jodie ran a strong and positive campaign and she’ll work hard every day as a champion for Dunkley in Canberra,” Mr Albanese said on social media site X, formerly Twitter, on Saturday night.

He said Ms Murphy had recruited Ms Belyea to the party in recognition of her integrity and passion.

“I know Jodie will build on Peta’s legacy,” he said.

Mr Albanese joined Ms Belyea at a polling station on Saturday, his 61st birthday.

“What I want for my birthday is obvious today, which is a win for Jodie Belyea,” Mr Albanese told reporters.

The prime minister got his wish as Frankston Mayor Nathan Conroy was unsuccessful in securing the seat for the Liberals.

He managed a 3.8 per cent swing but it was not enough to overcome the 6.3 per cent margin Ms Murphy held.

Ms Beylea introduced herself to cheering supporters as “a mum from Frankston with two dogs and a mortgage, and I’m going to be your member for Dunkley”.

“I am not a career politician, I’m someone who wants to make a difference for this great community and further afield, and I’m now going to be your strong local voice in Canberra,” she said.

Ms Beylea also paid tribute to Ms Murphy as “a fierce advocate for our community”, while Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles said “I know that the person with the biggest smile on her face tonight is Peta Murphy”.

Despite not securing the seat, Opposition Leader Peter Dutton is expected to be buoyed by the result after earlier saying any swing more than three per cent against the government would be a “terrible outcome” for the prime minister.

Liberal senator Jane Hume praised Mr Conroy for his efforts on Saturday night.

“Dunkley was never a marginal seat … but by hell it’s a marginal seat now,” Ms Hume told the party faithful.

Deputy Opposition Leader Sussan Ley said the result sent a message to the prime minister.

“It’s not happy birthday. It’s ‘do something about the cost of living crisis’. That’s the message the people of Dunkley have sent to this prime minister,” she said.

This post was originally published on Michael West.