Early voting begins in Aus federal election

STORY: Amid a campaign dominated by cost of living pressure, national security and climate change, a widely watched survey conducted for The Australian newspaper showed Labor leading 54%-46% on a two-party preferred basis against the Morrison-led Liberal Party-National Party coalition government.

"I'm hoping for a change of government," early voter and communications professional Patrick Avenell told Reuters: "Albo (opposition leader Anthony Albanese) is a dud, don't get me wrong, he's hardly setting the world alight with his paragon of blandness but we have to change prime minister, it has to happen."

Voter Sharon Deane, said she was "quite happy to see him (Liberal party leader Morrison) and his government continue on."

Meanwhile Labour voter Robert Mcdonald said "I haven't voted Labor in my life, hardly ever, but I did last time and I did this time."

One voter, James Ward, said he was simply looking for a '"government that's accountable."

Millions of Australians are expected to cast their votes in person over the next two weeks at over 500 early-voting centers nationwide.