Australians vote in climate-dominated general election

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02:07

Polls opened Saturday in Australia's nail-biter election, a race that may be the first anywhere decided on climate policy. Just under 17 million people are expected to cast their ballots across the vast island-continent, as final surveys predicted a center-left Labor victory.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison's conservative Liberals had closed a yawning gap on the opposition, but differences over climate may prove the difference.

In one Sydney suburb, early rising voters trickled into a beachside surf club to cast their ballots, as volunteers wearing bright orange "I'm a climate voter" T-shirts handed out pamphlets.

"I'm worried about the climate and that Australia is not doing enough," volunteer Catherine Willis told AFP.

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison (L) casts his vote alongside wife Jenny at Lilli Pilli Public School, in Sydney, May 18, 2019. /Reuters Photo

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A season of record floods, wildfires and droughts has brought the issue front and center in the campaign. In rural areas, climate-hit farmers are demanding action. And in several rich suburbs, eco-minded center-right independents are running Liberal party luminaries close.

Labor has pledged ambitious targets for renewable energy, while the Liberals said they would not risk the coal-fueled economy's health to make the air cleaner.

Morrison has made economic management the centerpiece of the campaign for his conservative Liberal-National coalition, which has held power since 2013. The Liberal message has been pitched at older and wealthier voters who may see higher taxes under Labor.

People queue in the early morning light in Melbourne to vote as polling booths open in Australia's general election, May 18, 2019. /VCG Photo

Final polls show the vote is going down to the wire, with Labor ahead roughly 51-49. But compulsory voting and a complex system of ranking candidates mean an upset is possible.

"This will be the closest election we've seen in many, many years," Morrison predicted while making a final pitch to voters in north Queensland.

Weeks ago, the contest looked like it might be a rout for Labor. But a final survey by Ipsos Friday showed Morrison's coalition trailing Labor leader Bill Shorten's Labor 49 to 51 percent, from 48 to 52 percent two weeks ago. In some battleground seats, the race is even tighter, with the electorate split 50-50.

"I am nervous because it's a big day, it's a very big deal," Shorten said on Saturday. "But I'm confident that we have done the homework."

While polls show most Australians support stronger action to tackle climate change, Morrison's coalition strongly supports the coal industry.

A police car is seen partially submerged in flood water in Townsville, Australia, February 5, 2019. /VCG Photo

Morrison has said Australia would meet its commitment under the Paris Accord to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by between 26 percent and 28 percent on 2005 levels, but says more ambitious targets would damage the economy.

Shorten said that, if elected, his government would aim to cut carbon emissions by 45 percent from 2005 levels by 2030, with net zero emissions by 2050.

With about 17 million eligible voters, the Electoral Commission is operating more than 7,000 polling stations in venues such as surf clubs, schools and public halls. There will also be about 90 voting centers overseas.

Poll opened at 8 a.m. (2200 GMT on Friday) and will close at 6 p.m. (0800 GMT). The results should be known on Saturday evening.

(Cover: A voter drops her ballot paper into the ballot box at the Lilly Pilly polling booth during Australia's general election in Sydney, May 18, 2019. /VCG Photo)

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Source(s): AFP ,Reuters