Bill Shorten is so confident of winning the election that he is already planning what he would do on his first day in power.
After casting his vote in Moonee Ponds, Victoria and awkwardly eating a democracy sausage, the Labor leader gave a short speech outlining his priorities for government.
Standing alongside his popular wife Chloe, he declared that his first move will be to make a law raising pay for shift-workers at nights and weekends.
After casting his vote in Moonee Ponds, Victoria and awkwardly eating a democracy sausage, the Labor leader gave a short speech outlining his priorities for government
Opposition Labor leader Bill Shorten and his wife Chloe arrive at a polling station in the Melbourne suburb of Moonee Ponds to cast their vote in
Bill Shorten kisses a voter’s baby in Melbourne before hugging an elderly voter in the line to vote
The 52-year-old said: ‘In the event that the people of Australia voted for action on climate change, we will be ready to hit the ground from tomorrow. We’ll be ready to start straight away and we will start straight away.
‘My first cabinet meeting, the first order of business, we will put a submission to the independent umpire to get the wages moving again for millions of our fellow Australians.
‘My first legislation will be to reverse the cuts to penalty rates.’
Mr Shorten also explained that tackling climate change is another priority, saying: ‘We will convene the parliament as soon as possible to start action on climate change.
A reporter asked Mr Shorten if he would quit politics if he lost the election.
‘Let’s hold the horses here,’ the leader replied. ‘I’m confident that Labor can win. Is Mr Morrison staying around? Have you asked him?’
Australian Opposition Leader Bill Shorten and his wife Chloe share a moment after casting their votes at Moonee Ponds West Primary school in Melbourne
Bill Shorten speaks to voters at a polling station after casting his vote in the Melbourne suburb of Moonee Ponds
Bill Shorten enjoys a sausage at a polling station after casting his vote in the Melbourne suburb of Moonee Ponds
Opposition Leader Bill Shorten waves goodbye after casting his vote at Moonee Ponds West Primary school
Polls suggest the opposition leader is on track to become prime minister and lead Labor to government for the first time since 2013.
Mr Shorten and his wife Chloe met voters in long queues before casting their ballots on Saturday.
He chomped a sausage sandwich afterwards, partaking in one Australia’s great election day traditions.
‘Tastes like a mood for change,’ he said.
Mr Shorten kicked off his day in trademark fashion, with a morning run around Melbourne wearing a red t-shirt with ‘Vote 1 Chloe Shorten’s husband’.
He then switched outfits, donning a suit as he made a final pitch to voters on breakfast television.
The Labor leader is expected to spend the day on polling stations around the Victorian capital, considered a key battleground in the election.
People queue to cast their votes at Moonee Ponds West Primary school during Election Day in Melbourne
Opposition Labor leader Bill Shorten speaks to voters at a polling station after casting his vote in the Melbourne suburb of Moonee Ponds during Australia’s general election
Voters at the Bondi Surf Life Saving Club, in the seat of Wentworth, with a tight battle between incumbent Prime Minister Scott Morrison of the Coalition party and Labor Leader, Bill Shorten
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Scott Morrison is keeping the faith as he stares down a likely election defeat.
All signs suggest the coalition will be sent packing after a narrow Labor win on Saturday night.
‘I think it will be a long night. I’ve always said this election will be close,’ Mr Morrison told Sunrise on Network Seven.
‘Five weeks ago people weren’t saying that, but I’ve always known it to be the case.’
The final Newspoll of the campaign shows Labor edging ahead of the coalition by 51.5 to 48.5 per cent on a two-party preferred basis.
But both sides believe battles in 20 key marginal seats across the country will decide the result.
Mr Morrison is spending his election morning in Tasmania where the coalition is soaking up every vote possible to take the marginal seats of Bass and Braddon from Labor.
He will then fly to Sydney to cast his own vote in the Sutherland Shire, before campaigning with other MPs in marginal electorates across the city.
Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison was at the Ulverstone Secondary College during Election Day in Ulverstone, Tasmania
Prime Minister Scott Morrison talks to locals at Ulverstone Secondary College, 20 km west of Devonport
The prime minister has presented this election as a presidential-style race between himself and Mr Shorten.
Voters will now deliver their verdict on whether his frenetic five-week campaign has been enough to secure the coalition a third term in power.
Mr Morrison spent the final full day of his campaign targeting a clutch of key seats throughout Queensland and NSW.
The Liberals are expecting reasonable results in both of the states, with Victoria and Western Australia firming up as the crucial battlegrounds.
Scott Morrison with the Liberal candidate for Braddon, Gavin Pearce (left) at Ulverstone Secondary College
Scott Morrison with Tasmania Premier Will Hodgman (left) at Ulverstone Secondary College before he flew to Sydney