SYDNEY: Australians starting voting on Saturday in the first general election since political infighting ousted the nation’s fourth leader in a decade.

PM Scott Morrison says he has united his conservative government in the nine months since he replaced Malcolm Turnbull.

Labor opposition leader Bill Shorten has pressed his case with stark policy alternatives.

Australia has mandatory voting and a record 16.4 million enrolled voters.

Both leaders were out early at polling booths on Saturday, in a last-ditch pitch for votes.

The nation holds elections every three years, but no prime minister has succeeded in serving a full term since 2007.

(Agencies)