Australia federal election 2022 live: court orders misleading signs can be removed as Morrison and Albanese cast their votes | Australian election 2022
roughie pick: SA seat of Grey
PM Morrison posted a personal endorsement on his Facebook page for Lib MP Rowan Ramsey (+ $3500 in ad boost). He’s mostly been doing that only for marginal/target seat candidates. Grey is a 13.3% margin – not saying it’ll go, just may be interesting pic.twitter.com/ZXAijx5c4X
— Josh Butler (@JoshButler) May 21, 2022
And, just for the record, our reporter Paul Karp has confirmed with the NSW Liberals that they are responsible for pushing out those text messages about asylum seekers.
The AEC has also confirmed the messages are properly authorised and breach no rules.
Hi, we’re aware of these messages. These types of messages are not prohibited by the Electoral Act and parties are exempt from privacy and spam laws. pic.twitter.com/l35H9oOciI
— AEC ✏️ (@AusElectoralCom) May 21, 2022
Just back on the 11th-hour asylum seeker scare campaign being run by the Liberals, it seems the party’s text messages have been received in Gilmore, Corangamite, Bennelong and Banks, though it is likely more widespread.
Ok so the boat texts Gilmore, Corangamite, Bennelong – where else? #auspol
— Katharine Murphy (@murpharoo) May 21, 2022
The liberal party is mass texting Australians a breaking “news alert” telling them ABF has intercepted an illegal boat trying to reach australia. It links to voting instructions for the liberal party. @abcnews AEC says it appears properly authorised pic.twitter.com/kQneq38JZK
— Elise Worthington (@elisereports) May 21, 2022
For the last two weeks, researchers from the Mawson Station in Antarctica have been casting their ballots for the 2022 federal election.
Station leader, Rebecca Jeffcoat, said it was important for her crew of researchers – who live and work in one of the most remote and isolated locations on the planet – to “feel part of their country”.
Across Australia today, voters will line up at community centres, schools and RSL halls to cast their ballots.
While some consider it a chore that cuts into their weekend, for people living on outer fringes of civilisation their right to participate in the democratic process is their chance to be heard.
The Antarctic crew has set up a phone booth, complete with a stunning view of the tundra, for the 15 “wintering” personnel to cast their votes.
The team’s doctor has taken on the electoral officer role and the station even plans to hold a traditional election day sausage sizzle. Jeffcoat:
Everyone has differing allegiances to the political parties because we’re all from such different backgrounds. It has certainly made for some interesting dinner conversations … but no arguments yet!.
The Australian Electoral Commission has been working to ensure that every voter is able to cast their vote.
This challenge has been further complicated by the continued spread of Covid-19 and the subsequent staff shortages and logistical challenges that brings.
In Antarctica, where postal votes have been used in the past, phone voting will be used this year.
Each expeditioner has registered for a special login and password, making a declaration that we are ‘workers in Antarctica’.
When phoning in our vote we use our registration details; allowing for a secret vote as the call centre operator doesn’t know our name or address.
A bit of colour from the festival of democracy today. Only a few hours now until polls close.
In this educational video, Solange the greyhound demonstrates the correct procedure for eating a democracy sausage.
Multiple people are reporting receiving election day messages from the Liberals, running a scare campaign on the back of asylum seekers.
We’ve sought comment from the New South Wales Liberals.
National Covid-19 update
Nino Bucci
Here are the latest coronavirus case numbers from around Australia on Saturday, as the country records 46 deaths from Covid-19
ACT
Deaths: 1
Cases: 859
In hospital: 89 (with 3 people in ICU)
NSW
Deaths: 14
Cases: 9,632
In hospital: 1,187 (with 41 people in ICU)
Northern Territory
Deaths: 0
Cases: 224
In hospital: 19 (with 2 people in ICU)
Queensland
Deaths: 4
Cases: 6,221
In hospital: 420 (with 12 people in ICU)
South Australia
Deaths: 5
Cases: 3,171
In hospital: 211 (with 11 people in ICU)
Tasmania
Deaths: 0
Cases: 962
In hospital: 50 (with 1 person in ICU)
Victoria
Deaths: 21
Cases: 11,925
In hospital: 552 (with 25 people in ICU)
Western Australia
Deaths: 1
Cases: 14,245
In hospital: 301 (with 12 people in ICU)
Well, this is lovely.
We asked Guardian readers yesterday who they thought would win today’s election. In this (very unscientific) poll of 813 readers, 66% thought Labor would win a majority, 26.1% pointed to a hung parliament and just 5.6% believed it would end in a Coalition majority.
Respondents thought Labor would end up with 76 seats (just enough to form government), while the Coalition would end up with 66 seats, leaving the crossbench with nine.
We also polled readers on a number of key seats. They overwhelming believed Labor would win in Brisbane, Braddon, Boothby, Reid, Swan, Chisholm and Gilmore, and independents would triumph in Goldstein, Wentworth and Kooyong.
It’s only a few hours now until we find out how accurate their predictions are.
