Tasmanian party leaders make their last minute pitches to voters, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese expresses support for the Princess of Wales, Two Australians to appear on the grid as Formula 1 returns in Melbourne.
Listen to Australian and world news, and follow trending topics with SBS News Podcasts.
TRANSCRIPT
- Tasmanian party leaders make their last minute pitches to voters
- Prime Minister Anthony Albanese expresses support for the Princess of Wales
- Two Australians to appear on the grid as Formula 1 returns in Melbourne.
Tasmania's major party leaders have made their last minute pitches to voters as the early state election gets underway.
All signs appear to be pointing to a hung parliament and a prolonged count, with Australia's only Liberal government chasing a record fourth term.
Meanwhile, Labor is aiming to return to power after 10 years in opposition.
The election is more than a year ahead of schedule after the Liberals were unable to resolve a minority government stand-off.
Labor's Rebecca White says she believes her party has been leading the campaign since the beginning.
"I think we have helped to set the agenda, and I think if you look at some of our commitments around making sure Tasmania paid Tasmanian prices for power, there was no doubt that energy policy featured very heavily at the start of this campaign, and that was because Labor put it on the agenda. We've also talked a lot about health and housing and of course cost of living. Cost of living is by far and away the biggest issue. This election campaign, it is the thing that is hurting Tasmanians the most, and it is the one area that we've been talking about consistently for more than a year now."
While Premier Jeremy Rockliff has congratulated his team on their efforts during the campaign.
"We've run a really solid campaign. I'm proud. I'm particularly proud of our candidates. Great bunch of people from all walks of life, as I've said before, and I've got to say that in 2024, it takes a lot of courage for people to put their hand up these days, and I just don't speak of my own team. I speak of candidates from all political persuasions. It's not an easy gig."
Meanwhile Senator Jacqui Lambie has also made her pitch to voters.
Final results may not be known until the week of April 8 because of the Easter public holidays, with a record 167 candidates and an expanded parliament.
Mr Rockliff and Ms White say they're prepared to govern in minority but have ruled out doing deals or trading policy positions.
But the two leaders may have to contend with a cross bench featuring members of the Greens, Jacqui Lambie Network candidates and independents.
Ms Lambie has told voters the major parties haven't done enough to prove themselves during their campaign.
"If you want to change in Tasmania, then vote for the Jacqui Lambie Network. You can either continue, we've had 10 years at the liberal government. We've only seen Tasmania get worse. Seriously, Tasmanians wake up. If they haven't been able to do stuff in 10 years, how can they possibly do stuff in another four? They promises they keep continually promising the same rubbish over and over again. Well, how about if it's that great, how about you implement it? That is the problem that they're having. Stop listening to the promises and watch how people implement things because what counts."
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says Australians are sending support and strength to Catherine, the Princess of Wales, following her announcement she is receiving chemotherapy to treat cancer.
Mr Albanese says the Princess showed extraordinary courage with her public statement, in which she expresses her concern for others.
Princess Catherine revealed the news in a video message, saying the diagnosis was a huge shock.
She says doctors initially thought her condition was not cancerous but tests after the surgery had detected cancer.
Six people have been arrested after more than $100,000 worth of meth was seized in Melbourne's north.
It comes after a major seven-month police drug trafficking investigation.
Authorities say they have seized more than 370 grams of meth which they allege was being sold to the community.
And in sport,
Formula 1 returns this weekend as Albert Park plays host to the Australian Grand Prix and the third race of the 2024 season.
Max Verstappen coasted to race victories in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia, followed by his team-mate Sergio Perez as Red Bull started this year completely dominating the sport on track.
Carlos Sainz returns in Melbourne after missing out in Saudi due to abdominal surgery while Lewis Hamilton and George Russell will be eyeing improvements in their Mercedes car following an underwhelming start to the season.
For the home fans, they have two Aussies on the grid to cheer on, for the first time since 2013 one of them, Oscar Piastri, growing up just a distance from the track.
"It's definitely a special race for me and I think I mean for any driver home race is always good, fun and a privilege, but like you said, for me it's about 10, 15 minutes away from where I grew up. Yeah. Well and truly a home race and excited to be back."
