liveFederal Election 2025 live: Albanese and Dutton make final pitches to voters on election dayBy Ahmed Yussuf, Veronica Apap, Lewis Wiseman, and Luke CooperTopic:Elections4h ago4 hours agoFri 2 May 2025 at 8:16pmSkip to timelineabc.net.au/news/federal-election-2025-live-anthony-albanese-peter-dutton/105245936Link copiedShareShare articleIt's election day — at last!Both Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Opposition Leader Peter Dutton hope to make history today: Mr Albanese as the first PM since 2004 to win consecutive elections; and Mr Dutton as the first opposition leader to unseat a first-term government since the Great Depression.About 8.5 million Australians have already voted but if you're still figuring out who to vote for, you can use our online tool, Vote Compass, to see which party best represents your views.Or, take a look at the policies each major party has promised.Find out where and how to vote with our handy guide.Stay with us for the latest election news today and tonight as we bring you election results live.Key EventsPolling now open in all Australian states and territories26m ago26 minutes agoSat 3 May 2025 at 12:00amAlbanese says 'it's time on in the fourth quarter'1h ago1 hours agoFri 2 May 2025 at 11:26pmDutton joins young family in Goldstein for a cup of tea1h ago1 hours agoFri 2 May 2025 at 11:20pmShow all key eventsSubmit a comment or question Log in to commentLive updatesLatestOldest1m agoSat 3 May 2025 at 12:26amPups are at the polling boothsLBy Luke CooperIt wouldn't be an election day without voters' furry friends joining them at the polling booths as they lodge their ballots.My ABC colleague Lucy Sweeney has sent us a note from a polling centre at the Grovely Scout Hall in Brisbane's northern suburbs and the electorate of Ryan, where at least one pooch has been spotted.(ABC News: Lucy Sweeney)If you see any pet polling partners where you're voting this morning — let us know.ReactReactCopy link9m agoSat 3 May 2025 at 12:17amIN PICS: Albanese arrives in Melbourne's outer suburbsLBy Luke CooperThere has been plenty of fanfare in the electorate of Menzies for the arrival of Anthony Albanese, hand-in-hand with his partner Jodie Haydon.The prime minister met voters, Labor supporters and was seen speaking alongside Labor candidate Gabriel Ng.(ABC News: Brendan Esposito)(ABC News: Brendan Esposito)(ABC News: Brendan Esposito)ReactReactCopy link14m agoSat 3 May 2025 at 12:13amHow to vote: Do I have to follow the how-to-vote card?VBy Veronica ApapLoading...When you get to your local polling place, it’s highly likely you’ll have to run the gauntlet of volunteers thrusting pieces of paper at you as you attempt to enter.Those pieces of paper are (usually) how-to-vote cards.These cards are created by political parties and other interest groups and they instruct voters on how to direct their preferences – or how to order the candidates on the ballot. But you don’t have to follow their advice, you can list the candidates on the ballot in any order you choose.Remember, the only person who controls your preference is you.ReactReactCopy link19m agoSat 3 May 2025 at 12:07amIN PICS: Dutton continues his petrol pump pushLBy Luke CooperA key focus of Opposition Leader Peter Dutton's election campaign has been the Coalition's plan to halve the nation's petrol price excise and allow Australians to save 25 cents per litre of fuel.Today has been no different.Earlier, Dutton visited a service station in the Melbourne suburb of Sydenham, on the electorate of Gorton — and he got his hands on another bowser pump.For the record, this was the opposition leaders' 17th service station visit of the campaign.(ABC: Matt Roberts)(ABC: Matt Roberts)(ABC: Matt Roberts)ReactReactCopy link25m agoSat 3 May 2025 at 12:02amDemocracy sausages sizzling in New York CitySBy Samantha DickThey're a long way from home, but that's no barrier for tens of thousands of Australians seeking a democracy sausage overseas.This year, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and Austrade are managing 111 overseas voting locations across 83 countries.The smell of an Aussie BBQ has attracted hundreds of voters to sausage sizzles hosted by the New York Consulate in the United States.The New York Consulate is hosting a sausage sizzle for Australian voters. (Supplied: DFAT/Chris Munro)Australians eating snags in New York City. (Supplied: DFAT/Chris Munro)ReactReactCopy linkKey Event26m agoSat 3 May 2025 at 12:00amPolling now open in all Australian states and territoriesRBy Rex SiuPolling places in NSW, VIC, QLD, TAS, ACT, NT, SA and now WA are now open from 8am until 6pm local time today.It has just ticked over to 8am in Western Australia.Everyone in Australia can now cast their vote.If you are in the queue at 6pm local time this evening, you will be able to cast your ballot.Voting in the 2025 federal election is compulsory for the 18.1 million people on the electoral roll.Any eligible voter who doesn’t cast a vote will receive a non-voter notice and may have to pay a fine, not to mention missing out on having their say in the election, the AEC warns.ReactReactCopy link34m agoFri 2 May 2025 at 11:52pmTeal Zoe Daniel arrives to voteMBy Melissa BrownZoe Daniel arrived at the Hampton Primary School polling booth, voting with her 18-year-old son.Goldstein became a teal seat at the last election after Ms Daniel out-polled Liberal member Tim Wilson.(ABC News: Stephanie Ferrier)She said it had been a gruelling campaign.“But we’ve been out on the booths, fantastic vibes, particularly the last couple of days as more people have flooded in to vote. “Those last conversations need to be had today so I’ll be hitting, I think, 24 booths today.”Tim Wilson is running again today.(ABC News: Stephanie Ferrier)ReactReactCopy link45m agoFri 2 May 2025 at 11:41pmVIDEO: Treasurer Jim Chalmers says election day is always nervyABy Ahmed YussufABC Reporter Arianna Levy caught up with Jim Chalmers as he went to cast his ballot in today’s federal election in his seat of Rankine.The seat is held on a margin of 9.1 per cent, and is considered fairly safe.Ahead of today’s vote, the treasurer said Labor were not taking any votes for granted.“Always nervous on Election Day, but it is great to be in our local hood with all these people who are getting their vote done nice and early,” Treasurer Jim Chalmers said.Loading...ReactReactCopy link49m agoFri 2 May 2025 at 11:37pmWhere can I vote near me?VBy Veronica ApapWe’re here to help you find your most convenient polling place. You can use the Australian Electoral Commission has a tool, just enter your suburb or postcode to get a list or a map of all the polling places nearest you.And if you’re interested in laying your hands on a democracy sausage – or cupcake or bacon and egg roll for that matter! – you can check out Democracy Sausage which maps out which polling places have sausage sizzles and other food-based fundraisers.ReactReactCopy link51m agoFri 2 May 2025 at 11:35pmWe’re underway in South AustraliaLBy Lewis WisemanCraig was the first out of the blocks in Port Lincoln, on South Australia’s Eyre Peninsula. He’d intended to vote prior to election day but was thwarted by the unprecedented early vote – the AEC confirmed this morning around 8.5 million people voted early this year, including by pre-poll and postal vote. Craig was first to vote in Port Lincoln. (ABC Eyre Peninsula: Tim McGlone)“I came down yesterday but the queue was ridiculous, everyone had the same idea apparently, so I didn’t worry about it,” Craig said. “I was up early today dropping my wife off somewhere, so I thought I’d go and get it out of the way.“I was actually there to witness the ballot box being opened … I didn’t realise I was so organised.”ReactReactCopy linkKey Event1h agoFri 2 May 2025 at 11:26pmAlbanese says 'it's time on in the fourth quarter'LBy Lewis WisemanSpeaking to News Breakfast live from the MCG, PM Anthony Albanese gave plenty of sport puns.He started off by saying "it's time-on in the fourth quarter."Loading..."I'm feeling pretty good. I've left nothing on the field."And that's why we thought it was appropriate to do crosses from here (MCG)."I'll leave nothing on the field if I have the great honour of being re-elected as Australia's prime minister."He added that his political "holy grail" is "back to back wins."ReactReactCopy linkKey Event1h agoFri 2 May 2025 at 11:20pmDutton joins young family in Goldstein for a cup of teaMBy Melissa BrownPeter Dutton has moved onto another café, this time in Brighton in the seat of Goldstein where former MP Tim Wilson is hoping to win his seat back off teal independent Zoe Daniel.This time Mr Dutton has joined a young family and opted for what looks like a cup of tea.He was asked whether he’d help reduce the family’s $200-a-day childcare cost for their two-year-old boy.(ABC News)“It makes it prohibitive … for some people,” Mr Dutton agreed.They also discussed small business struggles, fuel costs and local youth and bikie crime.He later told the media the election gave Australians the chance to get the country back on track.“There is a lot of pain out in the community. A lot of people are really hurting and Australians can’t afford three more years of Labor.”(ABC News)ReactReactCopy link1h agoFri 2 May 2025 at 11:20pmBandt mixing with voters early in MelbourneMBy Melissa BrownGreens leader Adam Bandt is handing out how to vote cards at a polling booth in the inner city seat of Wills on a chilly morning in Melbourne.The seat is being contested by Greens candidate Samantha Ratnam, who used to be the party’s Victorian leader in state parliament. Mr Bandt says the Greens are up in all the latest polls.(ABC News) “More people realise that we can’t keep voting for the same two parties and expect a different result.” He spruiked the Greens’ policies for first home buyers, on the cost of living crisis and climate and getting dental into Medicare. “With more Greens in Parliament, including here in Wills, we have a real chance of getting the government to take the action that is needed.”(ABC News)ReactReactCopy linkKey Event1h agoFri 2 May 2025 at 10:59pmVIDEO: Albanese responds to reports of Russian propaganda on Australian electionABy Ahmed YussufYou can watch Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's interview with ABC's Weekend Breakfast.The prime minister said it was "not surprising" that the Kremlin targeted him during the election campaign.Loading...ReactReactCopy link1h agoFri 2 May 2025 at 10:33pmWho do I vote for? What the major political parties are promisingVBy Veronica ApapStill not sure who to vote for? It’s worth thinking about what the major parties are promising to do if they win.Labor and the Coalition have announced policies about a whole range of different issues including the cost of living, housing, childcare, migration and climate.ABC News politics reporter Jake Evans has laid out the key commitments from the two major parties so you can find out where they stand on the issues most important to you.ReactReactCopy link2h agoFri 2 May 2025 at 10:12pmHow to vote: What time does voting start?ABy Ahmed YussufPolling places are open from 8am local time today.Technically, voting has been taking place since April 22 when early voting opened at many polling places around Australia.Around 8.5 million people have already voted, either by pre-poll or postal votes, before polling day.ReactReactCopy linkKey Event2h agoFri 2 May 2025 at 10:07pmPrime minister 'not surprised' he was targeted by Russian criminalsABy Ahmed YussufAnthony Albanese joined ABC's Weekend Breakfast to discuss the allegations that a pro-Russian website was attempting to influence the federal election.The ABC’s national technology reporter Ange Lavoipierre has revealed a largely automated pro-Russian news website has been used to "launder" propaganda on Australian topics in the lead-up to the federal election."[Russia] engage in all sorts of activity. They harbour criminal organisations that engage in that," the prime minister told ABC Weekend Breakfast."It's not surprising that they would reach out and attack myself personally, given the strength that we've shown in standing up to them," he said.ReactReactCopy linkKey Event2h agoFri 2 May 2025 at 10:02pmCan Opposition Leader Peter Dutton defy history?ABy Ahmed YussufPeter Dutton is hoping to defy history today and become the first opposition leader to unseat a first-term government since the Great Depression.After a gruelling five-week campaign, that included policy backflips and some missteps, Dutton insists the Coalition can still convince voters for change.He spent yesterday campaigning across the country, starting in Adelaide, then in Perth's outer-suburbs.In the last days on the trail, the opposition leader framed the contest as a referendum not on the campaign but on the Albanese government.Around 8.5 million people have already voted, either by pre-poll or postal votes, and today Australians will make their judgment.Dutton is expected to vote in his own electorate of Dickson, which is the most marginal seat in Queensland.ReactReactCopy link2h agoFri 2 May 2025 at 9:35pmThe history of the democracy sausageABy Ahmed YussufVoting is only part of the election day experience — for many it's not complete without a sausage sizzle.So, how did Australia's love affair with a sausage sizzle on election day start?7.30's Emily Jane Smith explored the history of the democracy sausage.Loading...ReactReactCopy linkKey Event3h agoFri 2 May 2025 at 9:17pmAfter a 35-day campaign, the prime minister's date with destiny has arrivedBBy By Jane Norman, on the trail with AlbaneseAnthony Albanese is seeking to make history tonight by becoming the first prime minister since 2004 to win consecutive elections.The latest Newspoll published in The Australian will give Albanese reason to be optimistic, putting Labor ahead of the Coalition 52.5 - 47.5 per cent, after preferences.Every major published opinion poll is now pointing to a Labor victory, but they vary as to whether the party will pick up enough seats to form a majority."Obviously I want a majority government, I want people to vote number one for the Labor Party," he told the ABC. "That gives the country the stability the country needs in these uncertain times.'Albanese will begin his day in Melbourne before returning to his Sydney to vote in seat of Grayndler alongside his fiancé Jodie and dog Toto in tow.He's spent the past 72 hours crisscrossing the country, visiting a slew of seats in five states and meeting as many voters as possible in his campaign to convince Australians to give him three more years in power.If they do, he would become the first prime minister since John Howard to lead his party to consecutive election victories.ReactReactCopy linkShow more postsPosted 4h ago4 hours agoFri 2 May 2025 at 8:16pm, updated 12m ago12 minutes agoSat 3 May 2025 at 12:14amShare optionsCopy linkFacebookX (formerly Twitter)TimelineRead nextCommentsTimelineKey EventsLatestPolling now open in all Australian states and territories26m ago26 minutes agoSat 3 May 2025 at 12:00amAlbanese says 'it's time on in the fourth quarter'1h ago1 hours agoFri 2 May 2025 at 11:26pmDutton joins young family in Goldstein for a cup of tea1h ago1 hours agoFri 2 May 2025 at 11:20pmVIDEO: Albanese responds to reports of Russian propaganda on Australian election1h ago1 hours agoFri 2 May 2025 at 10:59pmPrime minister 'not surprised' he was targeted by Russian criminals2h ago2 hours agoFri 2 May 2025 at 10:07pmCan Opposition Leader Peter Dutton defy history?2h ago2 hours agoFri 2 May 2025 at 10:02pmAfter a 35-day campaign, the prime minister's date with destiny has arrived3h ago3 hours agoFri 2 May 2025 at 9:17pmHow to vote: Filling out a ballot3h ago3 hours agoFri 2 May 2025 at 8:50pmTop StoriesDutton finishes campaign with lurch towards Trumpian politicsLAnalysis by Laura TinglePhoto shows Peter Dutton in hi-vis, surrounded by other people.Pro-Russian influence operation targeting Australia in lead-up to electionTopic:Disinformation and MisinformationA single moment early in this election campaign came to define itTopic:ElectionsWhat time will a winner be called tonight?Topic:ExplainerI get to see the Antony Green that election coverage viewers don'tTopic:ElectionsJust InWhat you need to know before you vote today in WATopic:Elections7m ago7 minutes agoSat 3 May 2025 at 12:20amMemorial to women who allegedly died by violence vandalised in Hosier LaneTopic:Vandalism7m ago7 minutes agoSat 3 May 2025 at 12:19amFeral goats damage Aboriginal artwork on tropical Queensland island Topic:Indigenous Culture23m ago23 minutes agoSat 3 May 2025 at 12:03amBlind athletes show 'courage and resilience' in Ironman triathalonTopic:Human Interest43m ago43 minutes agoFri 2 May 2025 at 11:43pmMore Just InBack to top