SYDNEY (AUSTRALIA) – The byelection is Australia closed on Saturday. Experts view it as a plebiscite on the popularity of Prime Minister Scott Morrison and his handling of the bushfires and the pandemic.
The prime minister’s ratings tanked over his handling of the bushfires. But they appear to have improved following the manner in which he tackled the coronavirus outbreak.
“It will be a close call,” Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack said at a polling station in Eden-Monaro electorate, New South Wales state. “I’m not quite sure whether the actual result will be known tonight.”
Centre-left Labour Party’s Kristy McBain and Fiona Kotvojs, who belongs to the PM’s Conservative Party, are contesting for the seat of an opposition lawmaker who retired citing ill-health.
Morrison’s popularity took a beating earlier this year, particularly in Eden-Monaro which was devastated by bushfires, when he vacationed in Hawaii with his family amid the blaze in his country.
However, his ratings climbed when his strict measures to combat the spread of the pandemic saw results. It is seen as the reason why Australia recorded about 8,300 infections and 104 deaths which are well below the tally of many countries.
The federal election is due by mid-2022.
(Photos syndicated via Reuters)
This story has been edited by BH staff and is published from a syndicated field