Palmer's lead shrinks in Fairfax CLIVE Palmer's election lead over his nearest opponent has shrunk as the vote count in Fairfax continues. The billionaire was leading Liberal National Party (LNP) candidate Ted O'Brien by 718 votes on a two-candidate-preferred basis on Friday afternoon. Australian Electoral Commission staff are expected be continue tallying votes on Saturday until 1pm (AEST). On Friday afternoon there were still more than 8000 to be counted, including absentee, pre-poll and postal ballots. Even more postal votes are expected to keep trickling in and those received by the Friday deadline will count towards the total. Fairfax is in Queensland's Sunshine Coast and has been held by the Liberal Party's Alex Somlyay since 1990. Mr Somlyay retired at the election.