Polls closing in cliffhanger Australian election
SYDNEY July 2 (AFP)- Polls closed in Australia's most populous states where today's national elections are expected to be won or lost with the outcome between conservative leader Malcolm Turnbull and Labor challenger Bill Shorten too close to call.
Voting stations in the crucial states of Queensland and New South Wales shut at 6:00 pm (0800 GMT), along with Victoria, Tasmania and the Australian Capital Territory, with those on the west coast to close two hours later.
Early exit polls showed Turnbull and Shorten in a dead heat.
A poll by Channel Nine of 25 marginal seats taken before voting ended showed the two major parties at 50-50, reinforcing the closeness of the eight-week campaign where neither man has been able to decisively take the lead.
But it forecast a national swing of 3.4 percent against Turnbull's Liberal/National coalition, which could see Labor picking up at least eight or nine seats.
That would still not be enough for Labor to clinch the 76 seats needed to form a majority government in the 150- seat House of Representatives.
The broadcaster said that depending on how many crossbenchers -- politicians who are independent or from minor parties -- win seats, it also means there is a chance the coalition will fall short of the 76 seats it needs.
This could create a hung parliament where no side commands a lower house majority.
Another poll by Sky News tipped Turnbull to win, with 62 percent of voters believing he will prevail and just 19 percent expecting a Labor victory and 19 percent uncommitted.
That poll showed health was their top priority followed by education, the budget and the economy.
Some 15.6 million people are casting votes across the huge country in a mandatory ballot.