[9News Australia] Just hours before voters cast their ballots, the latest Fairfax-Ipsos poll has shown support for the coalition and Labor deadlocked at 50 percent each.
The poll, which questioned 1377 respondents between June 26 and June 29, showed an even split on a two-party preferred basis.
However, when asked specifically which party would receive their second preference, voters gave Labor a 51-49 percent lead.
Malcolm Turnbull remains the preferred choice for Prime Minister, leading Opposition Leader Bill Shorten 49 to 35 percent.
The poll also shows 27 percent of voters still intend to back the Greens or minor parties and independents.
Mr Turnbull today said the uncertainty of a hung parliament would be a disaster, as he appealed for voters not to go down that road.
“We have seen that film before. It’s not a pretty one,” he said, referring to the 2010 elections where a similar scenario occurred after Julia Gillard failed to win majority rule.
“Right now, Australia needs strong majority government, a clear national economic plan. That’s the economic leadership only the coalition can deliver.”
He added that the alternative was “chaos, uncertainty, dysfunction, higher deficits, higher debt, higher taxes, less investment, less jobs”.
“That’s what Labor and the Greens and independents are offering,” he said.
Economic management has been a key election battleground with last week’s shock decision by Britain stoking anxiety about pressures facing Australia’s economy.
Mr Shorten has campaigned on improving health and education while pledging more renewable energy and a fairer tax system, and remained upbeat that Labor could cause an upset.
“I am talking to millions of Australians who want to see Labor lunge with every inch of energy towards the finishing line,” he said.
“I say to these people, we do not give up and we are confident and we believe there’s a good chance we can win the election.”
© ninemsn 2016
