However, a strong result from climate-focused independents could result in a hung parliament.
The majority of Australia’s population lives on its east coast, where voting booths at suburban churches, seaside lodges and outback halls closed at 6 p.m. (0800 GMT). The states of New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland and Tasmania, as well as the Australian Capital Territory, represent 124 of the 151 parliamentary seats in the lower house.
Voting continued in the state of South Australia and the Northern Territory until 0830 GMT and in the state of Western Australia until 1000 GMT, at which time details of some early vote counts of Eastern states should be known.
The centre-left Labor had a good lead after nine years in opposition, but recent polls show Mr Morrison’s Liberal-National government narrowing the gap in the home stretch of a six-week campaign .
A Newspoll poll by The Australian newspaper published on election day showed that Labor’s lead over the ruling coalition fell by one point to 53-47 based on two-party preferences, where the votes unsuccessful candidates are redistributed to the first two contenders.
Mr Morrison and Opposition Leader Anthony Albanese cast their ballots in Sydney after touring the fringe seats in the final two days of a campaign dominated by the rising cost of living, the climate change and integrity.
“Today Australians are making an important choice about their future,” Mr Morrison told reporters outside a polling station. “Australia needs someone who knows how to manage money, who knows how to manage national security interests, who knows how to move forward and deliver this strong economy.”
Mr Albanese said Australians want a change of government, which he says has nothing to be proud of.
“I put us in a position where, at worst, we are competitive today. We are in the running,” Albanese said of his chances at the polls.
“In the fourth quarter I want to kick with the wind at my back, and I think we have the wind at our back,” he said in reference to Australian Rules football, one of the world’s most popular sports. most popular in the country.
As Labor focused on runaway inflation and weak wage growth, Mr Morrison made the country’s lowest unemployment rate in nearly half a century the centerpiece of his campaign’s final hours .
THE INFLUENCE OF THE INDEPENDENTS
With the economy a key issue, several “teal independents” are challenging a number of wealthy Liberal-held seats, campaigning for action on climate change after some of the worst floods and fires to hit Australia.
Three volunteers working for independent Teal Monique Ryan, who is running against Treasurer Josh Frydenberg in the long-Liberal-held Kooyong Melbourne seat, said they joined Ryan’s campaign because they are concerned about the climate for the sake of their children or grandchildren.
“For me, it feels like this election brings hope,” Charlotte Forwood, a working mother of three adult children, told Reuters.
In the outgoing parliament, the Liberal-National coalition held 76 of the 151 seats in the lower house, while Labor held 68, with seven members from minor and independent parties.
Voting is compulsory and the first results should be known on Saturday evening, although Australia’s Electoral Commission has warned that a clear winner may not emerge immediately if the competition is tight, due to the time needed to count around 3 million votes. by mail.
More than half of the votes had already been cast by Friday evening, with a record 8 million early votes in person and by mail, the commission said.