100,000 take the chance to vote early

THERE has been a strong turnout to the first day of prepolling on Monday, as the leaders gave their pitch to early voters.

There were long lines of people at the Lilley early voting centres with voters keen to beat the rush, unable to cast a ballot on the day or seeking to avoid Covid crowds.

By 1pm on Monday about 100,000 people had already voted nationally, which was on par with the 2019 election, according to the Australian Electoral Commission.

Opposition Leader Anthony Albanese hit the prepolling centre in Adelaide, handing out how to vote cards, while Prime Minister Scott Morrison stressed many Australians had yet to make up their minds as the Coalition slips further behind in the polls.

“If you looked at this election campaign as if it were a job interview, let’s look at what Anthony Albanese has done through this campaign,” Mr Morrison said.

“If you are having a job interview and you ask them – there’s something you need to know about the economy if you want to run it? What is the unemployment rate?”

Mr Albanese brushed off the idea of forming a minority government, saying he was focused on winning at least 76 seats out of 151.

“I want a majority Labor government. That is my position and I will be working every day for 76 (seats in the House of Representatives),” he said. “I put forward ideas about cheaper child care. Our ideas about cheaper energy bills and dealing with climate change, our ideas about making more things here.”