Anxiety, nerves for Labor faithful as count kicks off
Labor supporters of all ages filed into Canterbury-Hurlstone Park RSL in Sydney's inner-west with the hope of celebrating a triumphant win after a gruelling five-week campaign.
Though polling has shifted towards the red in recent weeks, for many - including 17-year-olds Oscar Thompson and Oliver Wild - a sense of anxiety pervades.
"I don't know how it's going to end up, I think everyone's just scared that it'll be a repeat of 2019," Mr Thompson told AAP on Saturday evening.
During that election, Labor appeared in pole position to win before results delivered a devastating loss for party and the then-10-year old and Oscar hopes his volunteer efforts in the south Sydney electorate of Barton will deliver a different result.
"It's very close," he said, donning his Albo 2025 sunglasses
As a growing number of Australians turn to independents and third parties, the prospect of a minority government has cast a shadow over the night of Labor supporters.
"I wouldn't be keen on it but I think it's a possibility," Oliver told AAP.
But not all at the Labor event were closed to the idea, with 53-year-old nurse Sabrina Sharp saying she would be "happy with that".
"I think it would be creative to work with everyone," she said.
"I feel really excited, I think the lead-up has been really promising.
"Australia is ready for a vote of decency today."
Beer cans emblazoned with a photo of young Mr Albanese began to fly off the shelves as the ABC flashed favourable results for Labor.
A swing towards the party in the ultra-marginal seat of Gilmore on the NSW south coast and the north Queensland electorate of Leichhardt lit up the room, as did significant independent votes in the seat of Bradfield on Sydney's north shore and Opposition Leader Peter Dutton's seat.
The prime minister earlier told reporters he would watch the results from Kirribilli House with his partner Jodie Haydon and son Nathan.
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