#BREAKING: Labor is set to win government, an EXCLUSIVE Nine YouGov Galaxy Exit Poll shows. #AusVotes #9News https://t.co/n1DcIHh5eJ
— Nine News Sydney (@9NewsSyd) May 18, 2019
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Former PM John Howard says this could be Labor's unloseable election
Former PM John Howard says this could be Labor's unloseable election
Former prime minister John Howard has raised the possibility of an "unloseable election" for Bill Shorten, remembering back to when the coalition lost in 1993.
“Everyone thought we were going to win and then Labor won," Mr Howard said.
“Everyone thinks Labor are going to win but we might win.”
Mr Howard was at Manly Vale to give Tony Abbott a final boost with just a couple of hours left to vote.
“Well I think he has had everything but the kitchen sink throw at him and I hope he wins,” he said of Mr Abbott’s chances.
"I think it will be very close,” Mr Howard said of the national picture.
He said many people would be thinking of former PM Bob Hawke today after his death earlier this week.
“He was a successful Labor prime minister. Bill Shorten is a mile away from Bob Hawke. No comparison.”
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A Channel Nine exit poll is predicting that Bill Shorten will be prime minister by the time we go to bed
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GOING DOWN FIGHTING
He says he’s more than happy to support her as he only put his hand up last time because no-one else did.
"She’s much better qualified than me," he said.
"As soon as I met her I knew she was the real deal.
"Everyone has said they needed change, there’s this feeling in the air today. People are excited."
The 41-year-old Mathieson took 11.4 per cent of the primary vote when standing against Abbott in 2016.
Former Warringah independent candidate James Mathieson with Zali Steggall
He says he’s more than happy to support her as he only put his hand up last time because no-one else did.
"She’s much better qualified than me," he said.
"As soon as I met her I knew she was the real deal.
"Everyone has said they needed change, there’s this feeling in the air today. People are excited."
The 41-year-old Mathieson took 11.4 per cent of the primary vote when standing against Abbott in 2016.
Clive Palmer is paying people to hand out how-to-vote cards for his United Australia Party, digging into his deep pockets to staff polling booths
UAP representatives clad in Mr Palmer’s distinctive yellow livery have confirmed that they are receiving an average of $100 each to do a job that is typically performed by volunteers.
At the booth at Rainworth State School in the west Brisbane electorate of Ryan, a couple from Brazil said a friend had arranged for them to be paid $100 each to work from 9am-4pm handing out voting guides for the UAP.
The woman did not speak English.
At St Columba’s School in Wilston, in the LNP-held seat of Brisbane, another UAP booth worker admitted he was being paid but would not say how much.
Read more in The Australian here
If you are from interstate and trying to vote in Sydney's CBD here is some useful info for you
There are reports that the queue for interstate people voting at the Sun Tower on George Street is two hours long and people are being told to get in cabs and go to Paddington or Leichhardt to vote.
Blaxland MP Jason Clare says Bob Hawke's death won't sway people's votes
“Bob Hawke was a very good friend of mine and launched my campaign in 2016, even though he had a fall and had hurt his back,” Mr Clare said.
Mr Clare is expected to retain his seat tonight.
“I knew him very well and I am very sad when he died," he said.
“He was the greatest prime minister Australia has had for many years.
“I miss him very much and he was my hero.”
Read more in the Canterbury Bankstown Express here
THE BUTTLER DIDN'T DO IT. AGAIN
“Nice to meet you,” the former prime minister said before chatting away to Ms Ferguson as if they were old pals.
“It was a wet and windy day,” he said as he launched into a tale of his first election.
Speaking afterwards Mr Howard said: “We are all Australians and we are friendly people.”
Wily veteran John Howard showed us all how to treat and speak to your political foe when he came across GetUp volunteer Bobbie Ferguson outside the Manly Vale polling booth in Warringah this afternoon
“Nice to meet you,” the former prime minister said before chatting away to Ms Ferguson as if they were old pals.
“It was a wet and windy day,” he said as he launched into a tale of his first election.
Speaking afterwards Mr Howard said: “We are all Australians and we are friendly people.”
Nationals leader Michael McCormack presses the flesh ahead of what is set to be a rough night for the party
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