Your guide to the Super Saturday by-elections
Tomorrow could be the most crucial day in the lead up to next year’s federal election, as five electorates head to the polls in a Super Saturday of by-elections.
The seats are up for grabs following the dual citizenship scandal that rocked Australian politics as well as a retirement.
The seats:
- Longman (Queensland) held by Labor
- Braddon (Tasmania) held by Labor
- Perth (Western Australia) held by Labor
- Mayo (South Australia) held by Centre Alliance
- Fremantle (Western Australia) held by Labor
The Coalition is hoping to become the first government to win a seat off the Opposition at a by-election in over 100 years, with Longman and Braddon set to go down to the wire.
Tony Abbott’s former Chief of Staff, Peta Credlin, joins Alan Jones with her Super Saturday analysis.
The political commentator contested several elections in opposition and in government and is an expert at the polls.
Ms Credlin says it’s going to be an extremely tight contest.
“Longman, on paper like Mayo, should absolutely be a Liberal seat. It’s always been Liberal.
“What’s fascinating in Longman is it’s a heavy pre-poll vote.
“That means, Saturday night, I don’t think we’ll get a result in Longman.”
As for the Tasmanian seat of Braddon?
“Interesting race down there, it’s tight, it’s 50-50.
“It’s an usual seat because there’s a whole lot of little villages. One village will be Labor and the next will be Liberal. True marginal seat.”
Ms Credlin also comments on whether Bill Shorten will lead Labor into the next election or whether Anthony Albanese will make a run for the leadership.
Click PLAY below for the full interview
Ray Hadley speaks with Australian Electoral Commissioner Tom Rogers for an update ahead of the by-elections.
He says a significant number of people have attended pre-polling or sent off postal votes.
“Almost 70,000 people have already voted across those five divisions.
“If I look specifically at Longman for a moment. As of close of business yesterday, 29,000 people have already voted.
“Then if I look at Mayo, 16,000 people have already voted there.”
Click PLAY below for the full interview