Election 2022 as it happened: Anthony Albanese's emotional victory speech, Scott Morrison steps down as party leader

Reid is an interesting electorate in that it had historically been a Labor-held seat, but has been in Liberal hands since the 2013 federal election and is currently held by Fiona Martin on a 3.2 per cent margin.

Demographically it is also interesting as there are the wealthy harbourside suburbs but also younger gentrified areas and working-class families.

Snapshot of the Reid electorate Credit: SBS News

It is also very multicultural with a high number of Asian Australians which is why a recent controversy could really sway results here.

The local Labor candidate, Sally Sitou demanded an apology from the sitting liberal member, Fiona Martin for seemingly confusing her with another Asian Australian Labor woman.

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'I made a legitimate comment': Liberal MP Fiona Martin refuses to apologise to Labor’s Sally Sitou

Fiona Martin denied making that mistake and has refused to apologise, but this is one seat of many across the state which really could decide the election, so plenty at stake in New South Wales and in this seat in particular.

- Catalina Florez

Treasurer Josh Frydenberg's fight to retain his Melbourne seat of Kooyong was always going to be closely watched tonight.

Independent candidate Monique Ryan has currently pulled ahead of her opponent with 52 per cent to 47 per cent on a two-candidate-preferred basis.

Snapshot of the Kooyong electorate. Credit: SBS News

The neighbouring seat of Higgins is also a tight race between the current Liberal MP Katie Allen and Labor's candidate Michelle Ananda-Rajah.

Dr Ananda-Rajah is leading voting at this stage with 52 per cent to Dr Allen's 47 per cent.

Bass covers Tasmania's northeast coast and is currently held by the Liberals' Bridget Archer, at a margin of just 0.4 per cent, making it one of the Liberals' most marginal seats.

The sausage sizzle stall at West Launceston Primary School was already sold out by about 2:30pm.

"It was brilliant, we actually sold out of all our sausages and onions, people loved to stop by and have a chat and a sausage," sausage sizzle volunteer Vicki Dodson said.

Snapshot of the Bass electorate Credit: SBS News

Local Rohan Moore cast his vote at West Launceston Primary and said the climate was his biggest issue this election.

"Hands down climate change, effective, tangible action on climate change, fair, real policy that makes a difference and takes people with it, rather than leaving them behind."

People voting today at Lansdowne Crescent Primary School in the electorate of Clark. Credit: Sarah Maunder

Earlier this morning, at the Lansdowne Crescent Primary School polling place in Hobart, partners Julie and Robert Morris-Nunn had similar thoughts while heading to the ballot box.

"It's definitely climate change, for both of us," they said.

They live in the electorate of Clark, currently held by Independent Andrew Wilkie. In 2019, Mr Wilkie retained his seat with a margin of 22.19 per cent. He's expected a similarly strong result tonight.

And while democracy sausages were the choice of food for many voters, young Lachlan Weeding who volunteered at the Lansdowne Primary School cake stall today, offered Clark voters a range of sweet treats.

Lachlan Weeding volunteering at the Election Day cake stall fundraiser today. Source: SBS / Sarah Maunder

He told SBS News earlier today he's had a very busy morning selling cakes, biscuits, and slices.

"I've tried a few cupcakes. Everything went, but then people came in with donations (of cakes and slices)."

- Sarah Maunder & Monique Pueblos

Early projections from the AEC for the seat of North Sydney puts Independent candidate Kylea Jane Tink ahead of Trent Zimmerman, the incumbent Liberal member.

Currently, the two candidate preferred vote has Ms Tink at 56.63 per cent, compared to 43.37 for Mr Zimmerman.

Mr Zimmerman's challenger is the former CEO of two high-profile charities who promises to push for more action on climate and one of the so-called 'teal independents'.

The division of North Sydney was previously considered a safe seat which has been held by the Liberal party since 1996.

- Michelle Elias

Independent Zali Steggall is pulling ahead in the Sydney seat of Warringah against controversial Liberal candidate Katherine Deves.

Early results show Ms Steggall, who currently holds the seat, is projected to take in up to 60.99 of the two-candidate-preferred vote compared to Ms Deves' 39.01 per cent.

Ms Deves, who is Prime Minister Scott Morrison's handpicked candidate for the seat, has attracted controversy for her comments on transgender Australians. Speaking to the ABC, Finance Minister Simon Birmingham said seeing the Liberal vote appear to be going backwards "sends a very clear message".

"In the case of Warringah, we have all seen the issues that have played out there, and I think it sends a message about what Australians believe when it comes to issues of respect, of inclusion, of diversity - and that message is, Australians want people to respect their lives but they also have a strong and profound respect for the lives of others and the circumstances of others," he said.

"What we are seeing there is a very strong message, and I fear that the impact in Warringah may have had something of a contagion effect on candidates in adjacent Liberal seats that actually do hold the right values but may be paying a very dear price for that seat."

When asked whether he was sending a clear message to members of his party, Mr Birmingham said: "I think these are issues that we will have to clearly address.

"There were process breakdowns right across the board when it came to what happened with New South Wales division preselections, and clear mistakes were made in relation to that. I think both major parties, where processes of local preselections and proper processes weren't followed perhaps have during this campaign paid a price."

- Emma Brancatisano

Confidence is building among supporters of high-profile independent Allegra Spender as early vote counting in the NSW seat of Wentworth shows her leading Liberal incumbent Dave Sharma.

Cheers erupted at the Bondi Bowling Club, where about 100 of Spender's team and supporters have gathered, when television coverage showed the teal independent holding a commanding lead over Mr Sharma, with 14 per cent of the vote counted.

Wentworth - in Sydney's east - is held by Mr Sharma on margin of 1.3 per cent and is under threat from Ms Spender, a well-known local business leader and renewable energy advocate.

- AAP

In the New South Wales electorate of Bennelong - the seat formerly held by John Howard - is emerging as a close race. Liberal Simon Kennedy leads slightly with almost 8,000 votes, followed by Labor's Jerome Laxale with over 7,600 votes.

The Australian Electoral Commission's projected two candidate preferred vote shows Labor and Liberal neck to neck with Jerome Laxale just over 50 per cent, and Simon Kennedy having almost 50 per cent after the votes of 9 of 51 polling places returned so far.

This is Simon Kennedy's first tilt at the seat, after Liberal John Alexander announced his retirement from politics. Before trying his hand at federal politics, Jerome Laxale served as the mayor of Ryde for five years.

Voting has now concluded across Australia and counting is underway.

He's been described as a "menace" by the Labor Party, has been dressed down by Prime Minister Scott Morrison, and was last month egged by a member of the public.

Now, Craig Kelly — the controversial member of Hughes — is leading the United Australia Party.

Here's a look back at how Mr Kelly landed the party's top job, and what he has been campaigning for:

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Craig Kelly is out: From the fringes of the Liberal Party to the UAP captain's pick

- Michelle Elias

The Liberals Peter Dutton is in a close contest with Labor to retain his Queensland seat of Dickson.

Early voting shows he is facing a swing of almost 5 per cent towards Labor, according to the Australian Electoral Commission.

Defence Minister Peter Dutton Source: AAP / RUSSELL FREEMAN/AAPIMAGE

Labor's candidate Ali France is a former journalist and communications manager who has worked for private, public and not-for-profit sectors.

Projections show right now she would take up to 50 per cent of the vote on a two candidate preferred basis compared to Mr Dutton's total of 49 per cent.

- Tom Stayner

With just 13.54 per cent of the ballot papers counted thus far in the electorate of Hughes, the Australian Electoral Commission is projecting incumbent Craig Kelly will lose his seat.

Mr Kelly, who last year quit the Liberal Party and later joined the United Australia Party, is not among the front runners in the southwestern seat which he has held since 2010.

READ MORE

Craig Kelly is out: From the fringes of the Liberal Party to the UAP captain's pick

The AEC is projecting a two candidate preferred vote of 56.3 per cent for Jenny Ware, the Liberal Candidate who replaced Mr Kelly. This is followed by Labor candidate Riley Campbell with a 43.7 per cent projection.

Figures in 2019 figures saw a then-Liberal Mr Kelly secure 53.2 per cent of votes, winning by a safe 9.9 per cent margin. These projections would see a 3.48 per cent swing going to the Labor Party.

- Michelle Elias

In the Victorian seat of Chisholm, the AEC is projecting a 52 per cent two candidate preferred vote for Labor's Carina Garland over incumbent Liberal Gladys Liu, who is on about 48 per cent.

Liberal MP Tim Wilson is also facing a challenge from independent Zoe Daniel in the Victorian seat of Goldstein.

Early polling shows he's projected to take in about 46.77 per cent on a two candidate preferred basis, versus Ms Daniel's 53.23 per cent.

- Emma Brancatisano

It is just starting to kick-off. It is kind of a subdued buzz at this RSL in Anthony Albanese's electorate of Grayndler.

It has been fascinating to watch Anthony Albanese over the last few weeks. Today we got a sense of cautious optimism but really got the sense that he could pull this off.

By his own admission, they have made mistakes and have had some stumbles at the start of the campaign.

Labor has really tried to focus on key issues like the cost of living, spreading its childcare policy that would make it cheaper for thousands of families around the nation, the issue of integrity, promising to establish an anti-corruption commission by the end of the year and being more active on climate change - Labor has a more ambitious 2030 target than the Coalition.

Earlier this week Anthony Albanese was asked what he wanted his legacy to be - win or lose and he said acting on climate. While there is a quiet confidence, the party is still very wary of their 2019 loss.

- Pablo Vinales

Labor frontbencher Kristina Keneally - who was parachuted in to contest the Western Sydney seat of Fowler at this election - has found herself behind in early polling.

Independent candidate and local Dai Le is right now projected to take in up to 57 per cent of the two-candidate-preferred vote compared to Ms Keneally's total of around 42 per cent.

In the neighbouring seat of Reid, Labor's candidate Sally Sitou has carved out a projected early lead against incumbent Liberal MP Fiona Martin.

READ MORE

Liberal MP Fiona Martin denies confusing Labor's Sally Sitou with another Asian-Australian

So far polling shows Ms Sitou taking in up to 51 per cent of the two-candidate-preferred vote, compared to Ms Reid at around 48 per cent.

But it's still close and too early to call.

Snapshot of the Reid electorate Credit: SBS News

The seat of Mackellar, north of Sydney, is among those where a Liberal MP is facing a credible challenge from an independent candidate.

Early voting shows independent Sophie Scamps is taking up to 53 per cent of the two candidate preferred vote compared to current Liberal MP Jason Falinski's total of 48.52 per cent.

A number of seats where Liberal MPs are facing challenges will be closely watched tonight.

- Tom Stayner

We see this every election, there is a razor eye from the parties about what is happening at the polling booth. Today this came to a head in the Melbourne seat of Higgins where Katie Allen is the member.

There was an urgent injunction application made for the signage to be removed as it was green and white and said: 'Put Labor Last'; it looked like it may have come from the Greens party but Labor says it in fact came from the Government.

That was contested in court today and it has implications because these kinds of contests can lead to issues after the election, particularly if it is a tight race.

- Anna Henderson, Chief Political Correspondent

Let's diverge from the happenings of today for a moment and flashback to the maiden speeches of our two leaders.

Labor leader Anthony Albanese delivered his 20-minute maiden speech to parliament in 1996, where he spoke about his upbringing, infrastructure, superannuation, and multiculturalism.

"I grew up in public housing in inner city Sydney as the son of a pensioner. I remember all too well how Liberal governments failed to keep pensions at pace with inflation," he said.

He praised the previous Paul Keating-led Labor government for its superannuation policy, but said he feared for its legacy under Liberal leadership.

"I might add, however, that it would a catastrophe if the successes of the Labor government's super policy were used to undermine the age pension in the long run by a conservative government," he said.

Looking forward, Mr Albanese said this: "For myself, I will be satisfied if I can be remembered as someone who will stand up for the interests of my electorate, for working-class people, for the Labor movement, and for our progressive advancement as a nation into the next century."

Prime Minister Scott Morrison delivered his maiden speech to parliament in 2008, where he spoke about his faith and family, James Cook's legacy, and economic reforms.

"In this parliament, let us make laws that encourage businesses and their employees to excel," he said.

"Let us ensure that business is not unreasonably burdened by our efforts, but rather, empowered to grow and create more jobs, especially locally."

Mr Morrison then spoke about his wife and his faith, which he described as "the most significant influences on my life".

On the future, Mr Morrison said: "Let us have in this place a vision of young men and women that realises the dreams of generations past: the dreaming of Dhrawal Elders of ancient time, the dreams of Cook and his era of discovery and the enlightenment, and the dreams of my grandparents' generation who fought wars, survived the Great Depression and gave birth to our great Liberal Party with the dream of a brighter day for those who came after them. May God bless and guide us all."

- Michelle Elias

The Liberals are hoping candidate Andrew Constance can harness his personal popularity to steal the electorate of Gilmore on the south coast of NSW from Labor.

Mr Constance was a former state politician in area and high profile transport minister in the New South Wales government.

Early polling shows he’s projected to take in up to 53 per cent of the vote on a two candidate preferred basis, according to the Australian Electoral Commission.

Andrew Constance was the former NSW Minister for Transport and Infrastructure Source: AAP

This compares to the current holder of the seat, Labor's Fiona Phillips, taking in 47.17 per cent.

In the regional Queensland seat of Capricornia, Liberal National MP Michelle Landry is leading in her fight to retain the seat with 56.09 per cent of the early count.

But the result is showing an around 5 per cent swing towards Labor’s candidate Russell Robertson.

- Tom Stayner

Early vote counting shows swings away from the governing Liberal-National coalition and Labor, and towards independents and minor parties.

With 0.5 per cent of the vote counted nationally, there appeared to be a one per cent swing away from the coalition and 3.4 per cent from Labor.

However, the swing against the government was larger in metropolitan seats, with the Liberals down three per cent and Queensland's Liberal National Party down 4.4 per cent, while Labor was down two per cent.

The Greens, United Australia Party and independents were receiving swings to them in city seats.

- AAP