- Polls have opened in the Bennelong by-election being held in New South Wales
- The final week of the campaign has been filled with stunts and dirty tricks
- A loss would mean the government wouldn’t have a majority in the House
Polling booths have opened in the Bennelong by-election, with Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull’s one-seat majority in the lower house hanging in the balance.
The final week of the campaign has been filled with stunts and dirty tricks from both sides as polls indicate the major parties are neck and neck.
Labor candidate Kristina Keneally told reporters she was feeling ‘energised’ by the campaign as she prepared to greet voters at Ryde East Public School on Saturday morning.
Labor candidate Kristina Keneally told reporters she was feeling ‘energised’ by the campaign
A Galaxy poll published in The Daily Telegraph has forecast a close result, with John Alexander holding a narrow 51-49 two-party lead over his Labor rival
‘There has never been a more important vote in Bennelong,’ she said.
‘Indeed the people of Australia are looking around at Bennelong, looking at this seat and wishing they were having their chance to have a say on this government.’
The ALP has sought to redefine the poll as a referendum on Mr Turnbull’s leadership.
Meanwhile, the Liberals have continually reminded voters of Ms Keneally’s time as NSW premier, when she led Labor to the biggest election defeat in the state’s history.
A loss in Bennelong on Saturday would leave the government with 75 seats, meaning Mr Turnbull would no longer have a one-seat majority in the House of Representatives.
A Galaxy poll published in The Daily Telegraph has forecast a close result, with John Alexander holding a narrow 51-49 two-party lead over his Labor rival.
The Liberals and Mr Alexander (right) have continually reminded voters of Ms Keneally’s (left) time as NSW premier, when she led Labor to the biggest election defeat in the state’s history