The Greens' Alex Bhathal failed in her sixth attempt to win the inner-Melbourne federal seat of Batman.
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She conceded defeat on Saturday night and congratulated new Labor MP Ged Kearney.
"Obviously, it's not the result that any of us would have wanted," Ms Bhathal told the party faithful gathered at a Preston bar.
"We knew that Labor would throw everything they had at this seat to hold it after 84 years.
"I know that many of you will be hurting tonight ... but I hope we'll be kind to ourselves and each other over coming weeks."
Ms Bhathal's campaign was dogged by internal party leaks against her over bullying and intimidation claims, which she denies.
Federal Greens leader Richard Di Natale blamed the party's loss on preferences.
"It looks like because of the preferences from all the hard-right parties ... that we're just going to fall short tonight," he said.
Ms Bhathal said wished Ms Kearney the best in Canberra, and said Batman would be represented by a strong, progressive woman.
Australian Associated Press