Australia gears up for federal election

Move over Paul the octopus. Dirty Harry, a 'psychic' saltwater crocodile in Darwin, predicts that Australian prime minister Julia Gillard will win the general election tomorrow. Given the choice of two dead chickens, one with Gillard's picture stuck on the carcass and the other with opposition leader Tony Abbott's face, Harry picked Gillard to triumph Photograph: Reuters

Opposition leader Tony Abbott tours Sydney fish market during the final week of campaigning before this weekend's federal election Photograph: Ryan Pierse/Getty Images

Liberal party leader Tony Abbott scores a try during a game of touch football with the Manly Sea Eagles at Brookvale Oval in Sydney. Much has been made of Abbott's tough-guy image Photograph: Dean Lewins/EPA

Liberal party leader Tony Abbott (left) enjoys a lighter moment with store owners Hayden Tran (right) and Leang Chy (centre) and their son Jason as he visits their fruit and vegetable shop while campaigning in Melbourne. Australia's Speedos-loving, gaffe-prone arch conservative may be known as the "Mad Monk", but his earthy personality may see the one-time trainee priest win power Photograph: William West/AFP/Getty Images

Prime minister Julia Gillard, on the other hand, presents herself as your big sister rather than an Iron Lady. Here, she greets workers at the Confoil factory during the final week of campaigning Photograph: Getty Images

A supporter embraces Julia Gillard (left) at the opening of a new shopping mall as part of her election campaign Photograph: Daniel Munoz/Reuters

At the National Press Club in Canberra, Julia Gillard gets ready for some close-ups before making her final address to the nation prior to the federal election Photograph: Mark Graham/AP

Julia Gillard has a drink with patrons at the Raymond Lakeside Tavern in New South Wales during the final week of campaigning Photograph: Lisa Maree Williams/Getty Images

Julia Gillard keeps her eye on the ball as she plays pool with patrons at the Raymond Lakeside Tavern during the final week of campaigning Photograph: Lisa Maree Williams/Getty Images

Liberal party leader Tony Abbott gives a speech at a town hall meeting in Brisbane as part of his election campaign Photograph: Jason O'Brien/Reuters

Julia Gillard (left) greets a member of the public at a town hall meeting in Brisbane as part of her election campaign Photograph: Jason O'Brien/Reuters

Julia Gillard embraces former prime minister Bob Hawke at the Labor party's federal election campaign launch event in Brisbane Photograph: Reuters

Kim Naborlhborlh (left) and Daniel Nawirridj at a remote mobile polling booth in the Northern Territory community of Gunbalanya. From the dusty outback to beachside booths and frozen Antarctic polling stations, millions of Australians will vote on 21 August in an election costing some US$90m and employing 70,000 staff Photograph: Australian Electoral Commission/AFP/Getty Images

An Australian aborigine casts his vote at a remote mobile polling booth in Gunbalanya, a remote Northern Territory community Photograph: Reuters

Supporters of Julia Gillard hold placards outside a town hall meeting attended by Gillard and opposition leader Tony Abbott in Brisbane Photograph: Jason O'brien/Reuters

Catherine Moore, Australian Green party candidate for the electorate of Eden-Monaro, talks to a journalist at her home near Mongarlowe, about 210km (130 miles) south-west of Sydney Photograph: Tim Wimborne/Reuters

A lorry carrying timber passes a sign promoting a candidate in the electorate of Eden-Monaro on a highway near Braidwood, about 210km (130 miles) south-west of Sydney. Voters in the sleepy Australian village of Braidwood are increasingly turning to the Greens, a portent for the major parties ahead of tomorrow's knife-edged election Photograph: Tim Wimborne/Reuters