Saturday 21 May 2022 05:40 AM Election 2022: Scott Morrison warns of more people smugglers as PM and Anthony ... trends now
Scott Morrison has warned more people smugglers will come to Australia under a Labor government as the prime minister and Anthony Albanese cast their vote.
Mr Morrison was accompanied by wife Jenny and daughters Lily and Abbey as he visited his seat of Cook in Sydney, on Saturday.
He smiled ear to ear for the cameras and hugged his wife as he slipped his ballot into the box at Lilli Pilli Public School.
Mr Albanese cast his vote at Marrickville Town Hall in his home seat of Grayndler as he was watched on by his son Nathan, partner Jodie Haydon and cavoodle Toto.
Labor has emerged as the favourite among bookies with payout rates dropping from $1.55 on Friday to $1.32 on Saturday.
Mr Morrison made one last pitch to voters to re-elect him as prime minister, confirming a boat headed from Sri Lanka to Australia had been intercepted - and that only he could protect the country from more people smugglers.
Mr Morrison was accompanied by wife Jenny and daughters Lily and Abbey as he slipped his ballot into the box at Lilli Pilli Public School, Sydney's south, on Saturday
Mr Albanese's son Nathan, partner Jodie Haydon and cavoodle Toto watched from the sidelines as the Opposition leader cast his vote
'I can confirm that there's been an interception of a vessel en route to Australia,' he said.
'That vessel has been intercepted in accordance with the policies of government and they're following those normal protocols and I can simply say this.
'I've been here to stop this boat but in order for me to be there to stop those that may come from here, you need to vote Liberal and Nationals today.'
His comment came as Home Affairs Minister Karen Andrews warned people smugglers were hoping for a change in government and waiting for the outcome of the election.
A fishing boat and two dinghies headed for a 'foreign country' were intercepted off the Batticaloa coast by the Sri Lankan navy on Wednesday.
Some 40 people, including four people smugglers, were apprehended for trying to 'illegally migrate to a foreign country by sea'.
Mr Morrison thanked the residents in his electorate for showing their support.
'No one gets to serve in the positions that I've had the great privilege ... to have in positions as prime minister, or treasurer, or minister, unless you are first supported by your local community,' he said.
Mr Albanese addressed a crowd of excited supporters outside the polling booth promising he would remain 'one of the people'
Mr Morrison made one last pitch to voters to re-elect him as prime minister, confirming a boat headed from Sri Lanka to Australia had been intercepted - and that only he could protect the country from more people smugglers
