Early birds cast ballots with millions more to follow

May 3, 2025 10:14 | News

The traditional democracy sausage has been upstaged by Jacqui Lambingtons at a Tasmanian primary school, as voters across the country cast their ballots.

Polling booths have opened in Western Australia, with the mining state two hours behind those on the east coast and long queues already forming at voting centres in Sydney.

Some 10 million people are expected to vote on Saturday, after more than seven million voted early at pre-poll centres.

Voters queue at Brunswick East Primary School
Long queues are already forming at voting centres in Melbourne and elsewhere in the eastern states. (Joel Carrett/AAP PHOTOS)

At the Mount Nelson Primary School in Hobart, a twist had been added to the treats on offer for voters.

Jacqui Lambingtons, eClair Chandler, and Brown’s Brownies are all part of the fun.

Christine Palmer, a school parent managing the cake stall, said the kids had come up with the names.

“They’re all pretty creative,” she said.

“The year sixes have done a great job and had some fun with it. We sell out by midday.”

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Opposition Leader Peter Dutton crisscrossed the country to win support in crucial marginal seats during the five-week campaign.

Mr Albanese aims to become the first prime minister since 2004 to win back-to-back elections, while Mr Dutton fights to overcome history to be the first leader since 1931 to unseat a government after one term.

YouGov polling
YouGov polling during the week gives the latest break down on voting intentions. (Aap Image/AAP PHOTOS)

Speaking at the MCG in Melbourne, Mr Albanese said Labor aims for the “holy grail” of winning back-to-back elections.

The final YouGov poll before election day shows Labor in the box seat to form majority government.

The poll, provided to AAP, has Labor ahead 52.2 per cent to 47.8 per cent on a two-party preferred basis.

Based on the survey of more than 3000 people, Labor would slightly increases its vote from the 2022 election by 0.07 per cent.

The coalition would receive 31.4 per cent of the primary vote, followed by Labor on 31.1 per cent, with the Greens on 14.6 per cent.

YouGov polling.
Peter Dutton’s satisfaction rating continues to plunge in YouGov polling. (Aap Image/AAP PHOTOS)

One Nation would get 8.5 per cent of the primary vote, with 6.7 per cent voting for an independent, while 2.5 per cent would go for Clive Palmer’s Trumpet of Patriots party.

The opposition leader’s satisfaction level among voters has also plummeted to its lowest level at minus 24, compared with minus six for the prime minister.

Mr Albanese also leads Mr Dutton 51 per cent to 34 per cent as preferred prime minister.

YouGov’s director of public data Paul Smith said Mr Dutton’s standing among voters had been the contributing factor to Labor’s success in the polls.

YouGov polling.
Anthony Albanese enjoys a strong lead over Peter Dutton in the preferred prime minister stakes. (Aap Image/AAP PHOTOS)

“The decisive fall for the coalition among outer-suburban and provincial votes in key seats will mean Labor will be placed to improve slightly their total over (the last election),” he told AAP.

“The driving force this election campaign is the unpopularity of Peter Dutton.”

The YouGov poll also revealed 38 per cent of those surveyed had already cast their ballot during the pre-poll period.

The Australian Electoral Commission said on Friday more than 7.3 million people had already cast their ballot, while more than 10 million are expected to vote on Saturday.

YouGov polling.
YouGov polling shows a steady slide for the coalition in voting intentions before a slight rise. (Aap Image/AAP PHOTOS)

Labor goes into election day with 78 seats, while the coalition have 57 in the 150-seat House of Representatives.

A majority of 76 seats is needed for a party to form government.

The YouGov poll of 3003 people was carried out between April 24 and May 1, with a margin of error of 2.3 per cent.

AAP News

Australian Associated Press is the beating heart of Australian news. AAP is Australia’s only independent national newswire and has been delivering accurate, reliable and fast news content to the media industry, government and corporate sector for 85 years. We keep Australia informed.

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