We're in for a belting, says Katter

Many locals in Mount Isa turned out to vote in similar attire to Akubra-wearing MP Bob Katter (L). Source: AAP

BOB Katter believes he can hold his seat but his fledgling party is in for a "terrible belting".

He says he believes he can retain his north Queensland seat of Kennedy, despite a swing against him in early counting.

But he conceded that could change as the count goes on.

He said his party was not faring well in early counting.

"We are expecting a very bad result. They said a vote for us is a vote for the ALP in an election where the ALP was on the nose," Mr Katter told the Seven Network.

"And we were totally unable to answer that. We had no money."

"We are expecting a terrible belting. We know we're in a lot of trouble here."

He said Clive Palmer's party, which is polling strongly, was visible all the time, but "we weren't".

He added: "It's no secret we had massive disorganisation" internally, and in relation to the party's finances.

He said he did not regret forming his own party.

"Absolutely not. The party's still there."

With Mr Katter behind in the count in Kennedy, coalition MP Christopher Pyne said things were looking uncertain for the veteran MP.

"Bob won't be able to rely on all of the preferences to come from Labor and Green voters. So that will be quite messy," Mr Pyne told the Seven Network.

"I don't think Bob will know for some time whether he's back in parliament or not."

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Bright poll day ends in chaos for Abbott

TONY Abbott started in God's country, but has passed through hell before a likely finish in election paradise.

The targeting of Labor's southern Sydney seat of Barton backfired spectacularly on the opposition leader, who had to be whisked away by security after being jostled by angry protesters.

As soon as he stepped out of his car at Athelstane Public School at Arncliffe, Mr Abbott was surrounded by Labor faithful, refugee supporters and backers of a local independent.

He could barely move in the crush, as protesters screamed "you're not welcome here Tony - f*** off!", "go away Tony" and "shame Tony shame".

The opposition leader tried to soldier on, as Liberal supporters countered the abuse with their own chants of "Tony, Tony".

But after five minutes, security staff were forced to put a stop to the increasingly rowdy polling booth visit, ushering a rattled Mr Abbott through the throng and back into his car.

The debacle at the school - in outgoing Labor MP Robert McClelland's seat - was a rare blemish in the coalition's five-week campaign.

The opposition leader voted just after 8am at Freshwater Surf Life Saving Club, flanked by an at times emotional wife Margie, and daughters Bridget, Frances and Louise.

"The rhythm of life is always better on the beach, isn't it?" Mr Abbott said as he mingled with well-wishers on the glorious spring morning.

Asked who he had voted for, an upbeat Mr Abbott couldn't resist a joke at his expense.

"It's a secret ballot," he said.

Not everyone on Sydney's northern beaches was welcoming of Australia's possible next PM.

"F*** Tony Abbott. F*** that s***," said one women as she walked from the Freshwater polling booth.

Another woman held up a sign "TONY ABBOTT SEXIST RACIST BIGOT".

"Don't go there Australia," she repeatedly yelled out.

"This is the 21st century, not the 1950s."

Later, Mr Abbott handed out how-to-vote cards at Maroubra Junction Public School, in a last-minute show of support for Kingsford Smith candidate Michael Feneley.

The coalition are hoping to snatch the once safe Labor seat in southeast Sydney, vacated by Peter Garrett.

"It's a beautiful day for a spring clean," one Liberal volunteer told him.

"Absolutely," the opposition leader agreed.

"For a clean out of our parliament."

Labor's candidate, former Senator Matt Thistlethwaite, handed out how-to-vote cards nearby.

The morning was "going well" he said, but added: "It's going to be tight".

"We're not taking it for granted, and we're campaigning as hard as we can," he told AAP.

Asked if he minded being targeted by Mr Abbott, he said: "No."

"Welcome to paradise mate."

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SA man arrested over Vic indecent assaults

A MAN who allegedly followed two women in the Melbourne CBD and indecently assaulted them will be charged on summons.

A 22-year-old South Australian man was arrested over the two incidents on Queen Street on July 26.

He will be charged on summons with two counts of indecent assault and will appear in a Melbourne court at a later date, police said on Thursday.

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Harbour Bridge robots are winners

ROBOTS that do most of the dirty work on the Sydney Harbour Bridge have been recognised in a prestigious science award.

The Roads and Maritime Services (RMS) and the Sydney University of Technology collaborated on the technology and are the finalist in the ANSTO Eureka Prize for innovative use of technology.

"It's a fantastic recognition for the two grit-blasting robots which help carry out two-thirds of the dirty work to maintain our iconic Sydney Harbour Bridge," an RMS spokesman said.

"The 25 kilogram robots use internal sensors and cameras to locate old paint and grit to then blast the material away as part of the $20 million annual maintenance program on the bridge."

The technology is a culmination of six years of development and can be applied to any steel infrastructure around the world.

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