'Far from over': Former Coalition minister says Federal Election result 'not a done deal' despite polling favouring Labor
A former Coalition minister has declared the Federal Election "far from over" despite polling favouring Labor, with Opposition Leader Peter Dutton not one to "give up".
Peter McGauran told Sky News Australia on Saturday that the election outcome will hinge on "seat-by-seat trench warfare" in the final week of campaigning.
"Look, this election is far from over. It has not been won by the government," Mr McGauran, who was the Nationals' Gippsland MP for 25 years, said.
"We know from the polls that support for the government is lukewarm and soft. We also know that it's a seat-by-seat trench warfare.
"This is not a done deal by any stretch of the imagination and Dutton's not the kind of person who gives up."
Mr McGauran said all eyes will be on Mr Dutton and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's diaries over the next week to determine the areas seen as key to victory.
Mr Dutton on Saturday was in the seat of Leichhardt in Far North Queensland, which the LNP holds on a margin of just 3.4 per cent.
The LNP is hoping paramedic Jeremy Neal can retain the seat vacated by the retiring Warren Entsch by fending off the challenge posed by Labor's high-profile candidate, former Cairns Taipans NBL player Matt Smith.
"Look at the diary of the leaders... to see where they are particularly worried about, seats or states," Mr McGauran said.
"And I think going to Leichhardt is a sign… that that's on the radar of concern for the opposition."
Former Labor campaign strategist Bruce Hawker told Sky News Australia it was "interesting" Mr Dutton opted to campaign in Leichhardt a week out from election day.
"You do need to be careful about polling. We've seen some very poor outcomes from the pollsters," Mr Hawker said.
"And so this will be an election where we'll be seeing pockets of strong results for Labor and weak for the opposition, and vice versa.
"I mean it's interesting today for example that Peter Dutton's gone to Leichhardt... to campaign there.
"That looks to me like he's looking to try to shore up his support in Far North Queensland."
Mr Albanese, meanwhile, spent Saturday morning in the seat of Chisholm in Melbourne's south-east, which Labor holds on a margin of 3.3 per cent.
According to a Redbridge-Accent poll released Saturday, the two-party vote has stabilised for both parties with Labor on 54.5 per cent and the Coalition on 45.5 per cent.
The primary vote has also not budged for either major camp, with the Anthony Albanese's Labor on 35 per cent, closely followed by the Coalition on 34 per cent.
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