Federal election 2025 live: Australia polls open, voting begins; Anthony Albanese and Peter Dutton on election day campaign for Labor and Coalition – latest news​on May 3, 2025 at 2:37 am

“It’s starting to get busy now,” the AEC official overseeing the voting at Bondi Public School says, casting an eye across the queue of parents, juggling cups of organic chai and pushing democracy sausages into ravenous kids who’d just finished Saturday morning sport.

Around the ebullient kids – for whom the Bondi v Coogee netball scores matter far more than Labor v Liberal ballot numbers – voters and volunteers of all stripes are chatting politely, a community going out of its way to demonstrate democracy can be civil.

‘There’s been such a lot of pre-polling in this area, so the vibe is a lot more subdued than last election, when it was a lot more reactionary.’ says Kirk McDonald, a local Allegra Spender volunteer.

“I think it’s probably in the bag for Allegra,” one voter opines to the concurrence of others.

Such is her name recognition around here, the independent MP is afforded the mononym.

“I’m very impressed with Allegra’s campaign. She’s got my support. Her supporters are out in force which is great to see,” Umesh Chauhan, the man behind the organic chai, says.

Others were less enthusiastic, more cautious. Labor supporter Mark Gerada says the “Bill Shorten election” (of 2019) lurks still at the back of his mind. And another politician, also not running in this election, looms over it still: he currently sits behind the Resolute Desk at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.

“I want Labor to win federally, and Allegra locally, and I feel quietly confident, but I just don’t trust anything anymore, especially after the American election. It cast a big shadow. At least for us, this time, I hope something good will come of it,” Gerada says.

The loss of the Voice makes me so sad. There’s been no talk at all about indigenous Australia during the election campaign, which makes me so sad.

‘Albacheesy’, ‘hard snag of the opposition’ and Teal roll with ‘a dash of inner-city guilt’: democracy sausages get innovative

Some polling stations are getting creative with democracy sausages.

At Crown Street primary school in Surry Hills (in the Labor electorate of Sydney), the Dutton Dog Classic offers: “Sausage in bread. No cheese. No onions. No smiles. Just the hard snag of the opposition.” The Teal Gourmet Roll is bougie with halloumi and rocket toppings, and comes with “a free slice of climate concern and a dash of inner-city guilt”. And the One Nation Hot Wings claim to be “so spicy they will have you screaming, ‘send them back to the kitchen’”.

At Double Bay public school in Wentworth, an “Albacheesy” snag boasts onion and cheese toppings.

And the bake stall at Marrickville public school is rather colourful indeed:

But the price of a snag in some electorates is “a far cry from the days of my youth, where the same sausage would cost only a gold coin donation,” says voter Chloe Taylor. At Kensignton public school, in the electorate of Wentworth, a simple sausage costs $7.

“When I posted this on my Instagram story, the replies from my friends were shocked reacts and comments like ‘criminal!’ and ‘democracy is dead’,” Taylor says.

Hume’s ‘Chinese spies’ accusation made potential volunteers ‘afraid’ to work on polling booths, says Li

Li also called out unsubstantiated comments made by Coalition frontbencher Jane Hume that “Chinese spies” could be working on Labor pre-poll booths. He said Australians with Chinese heritage had contacted him and offered to volunteer, but they no longer felt comfortable.

They were afraid they would be accused of being spies … it’s totally disenfranchising for the Australian Chinese community … we’ve been here for over 200 years. We have just as much right to participate in Australian democracy as anyone else.

Labor confident but ‘chasing every single vote’, says state MP Jason Yat-Sen Li

The state member for Strathfield, Jason Yat-Sen Li, is handing out flyers for Labor at the front of Burwood primary school in Sydney’s inner west. He’s been here since 8am and feels confident the party will win, but “chasing every single vote”.

The feeling’s good … In this area, cost of living and schools – the fact we’re fully funding public schools – is really resonating. There’s also a lot of Chinese heritage residents around here – for them what’s resonating is they don’t like nuclear power because they’ve experienced Fukushima, and the hangover from the Morrison years is still in their minds.

Li doesn’t think the Liberal party’s choice to run a candidate with Chinese heritage will make a difference. According to census data, 32.8% of the Burwood population has Chinese ancestry, compared with 5.5% nationally.

It’s great that there are more Chinese Aussies putting their hand up – it’s also great for the electorate to have a diverse candidate from both major parties. But … I don’t think just because someone’s Chinese people would vote for them.

Coalition hoping to take seat of Reid from Labor’s Sally Sitou

In the inner west suburb of Burwood, Liberal party posters reading “Let’s Get Australia Back on Track” have been wrapped around Burwood Public school’s fence.

The Coalition is hoping to take the seat of Reid from Labor’s Sally Sitou, who took it from the Liberals on a margin of 5.2% in 2022.

Gavin, 24, is volunteering for the first time backing the Liberal candidate, Grange Chung. Gavin says Chung’s background – both are Chinese Australians – is what inspired him to get involved.

It’s not about the party, I just want to support a great candidate like him. Many people like him, I’ve had a lot of support.

Christopher Xie, 18, cast his first ballot at Burwood Public on Saturday morning. He’s lived in the area for 13 years, and voted for the Greens with Hecs/Help debt front of centre as a new university student, as well as the housing crisis and transport costs.

I think it’s important to vote because a lot of people now are recognising that they have a stronger voice, especially in their local area. Sally [Sitou] has been to a lot of events and done a lot of advocating, with every party and every politician they can always do better, but she’s done very well.

Angela Yao, 26, voted for Sitou with tax and energy bill relief in mind.

Growing up, my parents have always voted Labor, because I think they benefit the immigrants more. I’ve always leaned towards Labor and did this time too.

Upstanding Australian, Max (a dog), is the face of the Cute and Honest Cavalier Party appearing on a (not so) official federal election corflute in the Gold Coast, Queensland.

“Unfortunately I had already voted before I saw this poster on the Gold Coast,” Guardian’s Warren Murray lamented.

Dutton makes 17th campaign visit to a petrol station

Opposition leader Peter Dutton has dropped into a petrol station with senator James Patterson as he visits Melbourne swing seats this election morning.

(Looks like the 17th petrol station he has made an appearance at during his election campaign.)

Here he is, pictured holding a “25 cents off petrol” sign:

Dickson candidates Ellie Smith and Ali France are both cautiously hopeful of a historic victory over Liberal leader Peter Dutton.

No federal opposition leader has ever lost their seat at an election.

Both voted early on Saturday morning. France, from Labor, voted at Bray Park, with Smith voting at Albany Creek.

It’s the first campaign for Smith, a teal candidate, but the third for the Labor candidate, who has gradually worn away Dutton’s majority. Dickson is now among the most marginal seats in Queensland.

“I feel positive, really positive. I think that, you know, it’s been seven years of work for me and the team, and the positive thing this time is that I’ve really gotten to know a lot of people in the electorate. I’ve knocked on so many doors, I’ve had so many conversations. I feel like people really know who I am and what I stand for now,” France said.

Queensland premier David Crisafulli – who represents a seat on the Gold Coast – joined the party faithful handing out how to vote cards in the west Brisbane seat on Saturday morning but left shortly after the Guardian arrived.

Smith said it showed the party was worried about the seat.

“I feel really confident that we’ve run a very professional campaign and we’ve done absolutely everything that we can. There’s just been so many volunteers and a lot of gratitude from voters as well to have somebody different to vote for,” she said.

At least 8.5 million people (that’s nearly half the total electoral roll) cast their ballot before election day today, the Australian Electoral Commission has said.

More than 6.77 million people cast a prepoll vote, 1.64 million postal votes were returned as of last night, and 155,000 people voted with a mobile team.

“With more completed postal votes to come back, there is no doubt that more than half of everyone who will cast a vote in this federal election has done so before the day,” AEC said.

So we might see prepoll centre counts finishing late tonight.

Read more here:

Speaking of another kind of democracy dog … here is a little album of pups making the election campaign rounds.

The democracy sausage, our national symbol of election day. Where can you find one – and what about other treats like cakes, coffee and bacon and eggs? Check the crowdsourced map!

The Greens leader Adam Bandt is at a polling station in East Brunswick, a Melbourne suburb in the electorate of Wills that the Greens are hoping to win from Labor. He’s handing out how to vote cards alongside the Greens candidate, Samantha Ratnam.

The Greens leader is also a fan of the pre-9am democracy sausage. When asked if this is his first sausage of the day by a volunteer, Bandt said “the real question is how many will I eat today?”

Wills is one of two target seats for the Greens in Victoria. The other is Macnamara, in Melbourne’s south eastern suburbs.

Greens candidate in hotly contested Wills puts case to Labor voters

The Greens candidate in Wills, Samantha Ratnam, was at a polling booth in East Brunswick as soon as it opened this morning. She’ll place her vote here alongside the Greens leader, Adam Bandt, shortly.

Wills is a hotly contested seat, with the Greens hopeful they can pick it up from Labor MP, Peter Khalil. In recent days the finance minister, Katy Gallagher, has been at polling booths helping to secure the seat.

The conflict in Gaza has been an issue in this seat – along with the cost of living. On my way into the polling both, I walked past a small dog that had a Palestinian flag attached to its collar.

Ratnam is trying to convince Labor voters to make the jump to the Greens:

A vote for the Greens is a vote to keep Dutton out and to get Labor to act – there is no risk that you’ll help Dutton get elected by voting for the Greens.

The clock has struck 8am in Perth – meaning polling stations are all officially open across Australia. Happy voting!

Voters popped by the polling station at Bondi beach after a morning swim to cast their votes. A colourful sight!

We want to see your pictures of anything interesting or memorable at the booths today – so send me your things! Reach me here: rafqa.touma@theguardian.com

Dutton gave his final pitch to undecided voters on Nine’s Weekend Today:

I have the experience as the defence minister and home affairs minister and as the health minister and immigration minister, I’ve worked for four prime ministers, and I was the assistant treasurer to Peter Costello. I want to help get our economy back on track.

I want to reduce inflation so we can bring the interest rates down and bring cost of living down, cut petrol by $0.25 a litre, $1,200 tax rebate back. Restore the dream of home ownership and get this great country back on track.

Opposition leader Peter Dutton was on Nine’s Weekend Today earlier this morning. Asked if he will stay in politics and as opposition leader if he loses the election, Dutton said he is still young with a “burning passion”:

You can’t go to the grand final talking like that. You can only talk about winning.

I’m 54. I’m still very young, and I’ve just got a burning passion … for this country. And I just think we live in the best country in the world. Whatever we can do to make it even better is what we contribute ourselves to.

And I’ve worked really hard over the last three years. We’ve got a united team, and I think there are a lot of quiet Australians out there who may not be telling their neighbours how they’re voting, but I think they’re going to go into the polling booth and say, you know what, I’m not going to reward Anthony Albanese for the last three years. And I think the other mob can manage the economy more effectively, can keep us safe in a really uncertain time. And can try to bring the crime rates down in our local suburbs as well. I think they’re all, you know, the thoughts that are going through people’s minds at the moment.