As the nation waits for substantial votes to come in, politicians are using the void to manage expectations for the night and days ahead.
Being on a television panel on election night can be torture if your party performs badly, but it is a platform savvy politicians can use to shape the narrative to their advantage.
Treasurer Jim Chalmers, universally regarded as one of the government’s best communicators, said Labor was “in all sorts of trouble” at the end of last year. It’s a reminder to viewers that an impressive Labor result, if one eventuates, was not always a given and should be regarded as a major turnaround for Anthony Albanese and his team.
Meanwhile, Liberal National Party Senator James McGrath has argued that the Coalition campaign has been strong – a claim many of his colleagues privately disagree with passionately.
McGrath says he does not expect a result tonight, while Nationals leader David Littleproud is forecasting a hung parliament.
As more results come in, and overall trends become clear, expect the pollies’ comments to become more pointed and the blame game to begin.