Where and how to watch and follow live Australian election coverage tonight

You've cast your vote, eaten your democracy sausage and now you want to watch the outcome unfold on Saturday night.
After you've loaded the Guardian Australia's election live blog on your phone or laptop, you might want to see what's happening on the TV.
Where can you see all the action and what time does it start? Which politician will be on which channel? Who will call the result first? Will there be another election night gimmick like the Worm, the Shredder or the Boot? Our guide to election night viewing gives you all the answers.
Sign up to get Guardian Australia's weekly media diary as a free newsletter
The public broadcaster's election night coverage kicks off with national political lead David Speers and 7.30 host Sarah Ferguson at 5.30pm.
On the panel at the ABC's election centre in Ultimo, Sydney will be Annabel Crabb, Laura Tingle and Bridget Brennan, who will interview candidates from across the country. The grand master of Australian elections, Antony Green will be crunching the numbers for the final time on Saturday after more than three decades. The broadcaster will have live crosses to reporters in key seats across the country.
Politicians
Federal treasurer Jim Chalmers and Coalition senator James McGrath.
Gimmick
Jeremy Fernandez will present results in real time on the 'Big Board'.
Number cruncher
The ABC has two: Green and Casey Briggs. Green's prediction on timing: 'I always say that by 7.30 you will know the result or you'll know you have to wait'.
Wild card
Emotions may get carried away as Green calls the election for the last time.
You can also follow all the action on ABC NewsRadio and ABC Local Radio from 6pm.
Michael Usher and Natalie Barr are co-hosting Seven's Australia Decides program, alongside veteran political editor, Mark Riley, who has covered 11 federal elections over three decades in Canberra.
Politicians
Former Labor leader Bill Shorten, Labor ministers Tanya Plibersek and Clare O'Neil and Coalition senators Jane Hume and Michaelia Cash.
Number crunchers
Seven's national news desk director, Hugh Whitfeld, will present the results alongside political scientists Simon Jackman and Luke Mansillo.
Gimmick
Seven News is promising to 'call the election first using its 'cutting-edge technology' including the 7NEWS Power Board and the 7News Election Needle.
The Election Needle resembles a car's speedometer and claims to predict whether Anthony Albanese or Peter Dutton is winning the election.
Wild card
Guests Warren Mundine and Clive Palmer.
Hosted by Ally Langdon and Peter Overton, Election 2025: Australia Decides starts at 5pm with insights from 9News's political editor, Charles Croucher, national affairs editor, Andrew Probyn, and politics reporter Liz Daniels. Sarah Abo will be at Labor headquarters and Karl Stefanovic will be at Liberal headquarters.
Politicians
Labor ministers Katy Gallagher and Chris Bowen, and Nationals senator Bridget McKenzie.
Gimmick
Nine is keeping this gem under wraps. 'And of course, in true Nine tradition, we'll be giving departing politicians the send-off they deserve – the only question is: what will it be this time?'
Wild card
Former Liberal minister Christopher Pyne.
Sign up to Weekly Beast
Amanda Meade's weekly diary on the latest in Australian media, free every Friday
after newsletter promotion
Kicking off at 6pm, Australia Decides: 10 News First Special Coverage with the Betoota Advocate will be anchored by Sandra Sully with Ten's national affairs editor, Hugh Riminton, and network political editor, Ashleigh Raper.
Politicians
Labor senator Jenny McAllister, independent MP Kylea Tink and Liberal senator Dave Sharma will be in the studio.
Gimmick
The Betoota Advocate's Errol Parker and Clancy Overell will join the broadcast live from Betoota HQ, ensuring 'no moment goes un-mocked, or unmissed'.
Wild card
Independent senator Jacqui Lambie.
Australia Decides: Election Night, anchored by Kieran Gilbert, will feature journalists Andrew Clennell and Chris Uhlmann and Sky After Dark host Peta Credlin, a former chief of staff to Tony Abbott. Sky News hosts Sharri Markson and Paul Murray will be live from Liberal headquarters and Chris Kenny and Laura Jayes live from Labor headquarters.
Politicians
Labor minister Murray Watt, Liberal senator Sarah Henderson, former Nationals leader Barnaby Joyce and former Labor MP Joel Fitzgibbon.
Number cruncher
Sky News's chief election analyst, Tom Connell, will have emerging trends, projections, and results across all 151 seats.
Gimmick
Sky News is always first off the starting blocks so is a good destination for political junkies. It's a 6am start with First Edition: Australia Decides with Peter Stefanovic and from 9am, AM Agenda: Australia Decides, with Laura Jayes tracking turnout and early trends.
Wild card
Commentator Andrew Bolt and former Labor cabinet minister Graham Richardson.
As well as the election live blog, helmed by Krishani Dhanji we'll have news, commentary and analysis, seat-by-seat results and a special election edition of the Full Story podcast. On Sunday there will be a post-election episode of Back to Back Barries .

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Learn with AIFact CheckingText to SpeechAI Summary

Related Articles

Scottish Sun

6 hours ago

• Scottish Sun

Humza Yousaf slammed after ‘inept & ill-informed' social media posts over Israel-Iran war

Former First Minister Yousaf has been condemned as "inept and ill-informed" Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Humza Yousaf has been condemned as "inept and ill-informed" after he dismissed mounting concerns about Iran's nuclear ambitions. The former First Minister cast doubt on Sir Keir Starmer's warning that Iran's nuclear programme poses "a grave threat to global security". Sign up for the Politics newsletter Sign up 5 Former First Minister of Scotland Humza Yousaf addresses the crowd at national demonstration for Palestine, in London, in June Credit: EPA 5 Yousaf retweeted former Swedish prime minister Carl Bildt 5 Writing on X, Yousaf criticised Mr Starmer 5 Scottish Conservative Deputy Leader Rachael Hamilton criticised Yusaf The Prime Minister said Iran "can never be allowed to develop a nuclear weapon" as he called on the country's leaders to return to negotiations after the US launched strikes on Iran's nuclear facilities. Writing on X, Yousaf said this was "an awful statement from the PM, which ignores our collective responsibility to uphold international law". Yousaf added: "Supporting illegal military action in Iran, and gas-lighting us about an imminent nuclear threat, is hauntingly reminiscent of the lies told in the run up to the Iraq war." Gas-lighting is a common shorthand for psychologically manipulating someone into doubting their own sanity or perception of reality. Yousaf also retweeted former Swedish prime minister Carl Bildt's claim that US intelligence assessments have been "politicised" and "are now evidently doctored on orders from the White House". The SNP MSP said: "I am old enough to remember what happened the last time we went to war on the basis of a "sexed up dossier" based on dodgy intelligence." Scottish Conservative Deputy Leader Rachael Hamilton said Yousaf "is doing no one any favours with his interventions on matters totally outwith the SNP government's remit". She said: "His own mercifully brief stint as First Minister was notable for a string of embarrassing self-inflicted disasters. 'Rather than producing inept and ill-informed opinions on international affairs, he should be working for his constituents who are struggling as a result of the failed policies he presided over.' Patrick Harvie, the Green MSP who is stepping down as party leader after 17 years in the role, also condemned the Prime Minister's remarks as "deplorable but all too predictable" on X. Trump's shock Iran strikes take us to bring of global conflict and will strengthen Axis of Evil alliance, experts warn He said: "Israel expanding its war, by attacking Iran when negotiations were imminent, was an outrage. The US is now escalating the conflict. Instead of being a voice for de-escalation, the UK is siding with the aggressors." The Prime Minister has also seen dissent from within his own party with Carol Mochan, the Scottish Labour MSP, also downplaying the Iranian nuclear threat on X. She said: "Once again the US President is dragging the world into a conflict it does not want with no backing from his Congress, no backing from the UN, and no clear evidence Iran was developing nuclear weapons. We have been here before, the UK must not blindly join America's wars."

Daily Record

10 hours ago

• Daily Record

'SNP will throw everything at beating me - including the campervan', says Fergus Ewing

Ewing announced on Friday that he will stand as an independent against the SNP in the Inverness and Nairn constituency next year. The SNP will "throw everything" including "the kitchen sink and the campervan" into beating Fergus Ewing, the veteran MSP has said. Ewing announced on Friday that he will stand as an independent against the SNP in the Inverness and Nairn constituency next year. ‌ A £100,000 campervan was seized by police from Nicola Sturgeon's former mother-in-law's house as part of the investigation into the SNP's finances. ‌ Ewing told BBC Scotland's The Sunday Show: "I'm sure the party will throw everything into it, every effort, the kitchen sink and perhaps even the campervan". The 67-year-old is standing against SNP candidate Emma Roddick, who is currently a Highlands and Islands list MSP. He denied that he could be helping other parties by splitting the vote. He said: "I don't think that will happen. I'm fighting to win. I have a large majority, a fairly large personal vote. I take nothing for granted. "I am doing this because I think it's the right thing to do for my constituents, for democracy in Scotland, in the sense that I want to... not to bring anybody down but to raise the standard for parliament and to speak out. "It was Edwin Morgan, the great national bard, who said about the Scottish Parliament, what people don't want is 'a nest of fearties'. ‌ "That doesn't serve anyone's interests, MSPs selected by party leaders on a list. Instead there should be an open list where people can pick whoever they wish from that list. So I believe it's the right decision." Ewing said he had not spoken to SNP leader and First Minister John Swinney about him standing. He said: "Well, no, I haven't. But I have given clear, fair warning. Not least in March when I said, 'I'm minded to stand as an independent. I cannot stand for the SNP and defend the indefensible'." ‌ Ewing has been the MSP for Inverness and Nairn since the Scottish Parliament returned in 1999 and was a minister for 14 years under Alex Salmond and Nicola Sturgeon. He has been a vocal critic of the Scottish Government and was particularly damning about the coalition agreement with the Greens. ‌ He spoke out against the deposit return scheme, gender reform, marine protected areas and what he said was a lack of support for the oil and gas industry. He defied the party whip to back a vote of no confidence in then-Green minister Lorna Slater in 2023. This resulted in him being temporarily suspended from the SNP Holyrood group. Ewing had confirmed in March that he would not stand for the SNP - blaming the Scottish Government's failure to dual the A9 and A96 roads. Party insiders told the Record on Saturday that Ewing would have won the Inverness and Nairn candidate selection if he had put himself forward.

The National

11 hours ago

• The National

Keir Starmer accused of 'gaslighting' statement on US bombing of Iran

The Prime Minister posted on social media following news of the attack, with his comments gathering 1.7 million views and thousands of furious comments. Starmer said the US bombing was taken to 'alleviate' the threat of Iran developing a nuclear weapon. 'The situation in the Middle East remains volatile and stability in the region is a priority,' he wrote. READ MORE: 'I spent 16 months in Gaza amid Israel's genocide. Here's what I saw' 'We call on Iran to return to the negotiating table and reach a diplomatic solution to end this crisis.' Starmer's comments prompted a furious response from politicians and social media users. Former first minister Humza Yousaf said: 'An awful statement from the PM, which ignores our collective responsibility to uphold international law. 'Supporting illegal military action in Iran, and gas-lighting us about an imminent nuclear threat, is hauntingly reminiscent of the lies told in the run up to the Iraq war.' (Image: PA) Scottish Greens co-leader Patrick Harvie said: 'This is a deplorable response, but all too predictable. 'Israel expanding its war, by attacking Iran when negotiations were imminent, was an outrage. The US is now escalating the conflict. 'Instead of being a voice for de-escalation, the UK is siding with the aggressors.' Green party deputy leader Zack Polanski said: 'I don't think anyone expected him to say anything better. 'But he'd probably have been better maintaining his usual silence. 'Iran were negotiating - when Israel launched a war on them. The US joined in - and now our Prime Minister basically says 'well they were asking for it'.' READ MORE: Laura Kuenssberg slammed live on air for platforming Israeli president SDLP MP Colum Eastwood said simply: 'Utterly pathetic.' Social media users also criticised the PM's comments. One wrote: 'I have never despised a prime minister more. You've drenched every British citizen in blood. The vast majority reject your support for Israel, its genocide, and its constant violations of international law. Shame on you.' Another added: 'Are you dumb? Iran was bombed whilst at the negotiating table. Stop gaslighting your electorate and start telling the truth.' Elsewhere, First Minister John Swinney called for a 'diplomatic solution'. It comes after Cabinet minister Jonathan Reynolds would not say the UK supported the military action nor whether he believed the US strikes were legal. Asked on the BBC's Sunday With Laura Kuenssberg if the US action was a good thing, he said: 'The outcome. It isn't the means by which anyone in the British Government would have wanted to see this occur.' Pushed on whether the US strike was legal, he said: 'It is where we are today.' The US attacked Fordo, Isfahan and Natanz which are linked to Iran's nuclear programme. The Tehran regime has insisted its nuclear programme is peaceful but its uranium enrichment process has gone far beyond what is required for power stations. In an address to the nation from the White House, Donald Trump warned there could be further strikes if Iran retaliates: 'There will either be peace or there will be tragedy for Iran.'