Some voters in regional Australia could face hours-long drives to cast their federal election vote

Labour shortages, exacerbated by Covid, still likely to affect some booths, despite calls to ADF and emergency service personnel

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Regional communities are concerned they will have to travel for hours to cast their vote on Saturday, as the Australian Electoral Commission makes a last-ditch effort to fill staffing gaps so polling places can open.

The administration of this year's election has been hampered by labour shortages, which have been compounded by further staffing shortages due to Covid, with 90 workers calling in sick with the virus within 24 hours in Hobart.