The Seven Network has today unveiled its plans for their upcoming Federal Election coverage, highlighted by the launch of their 7 News ‘Election Needle’.
Designed to provide real-time analysis of public sentiment, the Needle will track key moments throughout the campaign, from swings and gaffes to shifts in polling data.
Backed by a team of experts, including Political Editor Mark Riley and leading political scientists, 7 News promises comprehensive coverage across its platforms.
From Seven:
The Seven Network’s 7NEWS – Australia’s #1 news service – is setting the pace for election coverage with the launch today of the 7NEWS Election Needle, designed to give Australians a clear and immediate summary on the pulse of the upcoming Federal Election.
With every big moment in the lead up to and during the campaign – every swing, every gaffe, every shift in public mood and every poll accounted for – the 7NEWS Election Needle will provide Australians with the most up-to-date prediction on who will win. And on election night, the Needle will move in real-time to call victory between Anthony Albanese’s Labor Party and Peter Dutton’s Coalition as soon as possible.

The Needle will sway based on expert analysis and data from a team of more than a dozen journalists, statisticians, political scientists and researchers, led by veteran 7NEWS Political Editor Mark Riley, as well as weekly data of every poll across the country throughout the campaign collated by leading research company Painted Dog Research as commissioned by 7NEWS.
The 7NEWS Election Needle will be informed by more than just a “poll of polls”. Leading political scientists Simon Jackman and Luke Mansillo will also help guide the predictions.
Dr Jackman is an Honorary Professor at the University of Sydney and is one of Australia’s most accomplished social and political scientists, while Dr Mansillo holds a PhD in political science from the University of Sydney and specialises in public opinion, political behaviour, survey research methods and Australian elections.
7NEWS has assembled the biggest election team in Australia to deliver the most comprehensive and advanced coverage of the Federal Election and put viewers well ahead of the rest across Seven, 7plus, 7NEWS.com.au and socials platforms.
With reporters stationed in every corner of the country, the news network will be unstoppable whenever and wherever viewers need the truth and the pulse from key battlegrounds and booths in all states and territories.
Seven’s Director of News and Current Affairs and Seven West Media Editor-in-Chief, Anthony De Ceglie, said:
“This bodes to be an incredibly tight election that could come down to just a handful of seats across the country.”
“In an era of information and misinformation overload, the 7NEWS Election Needle will cut through the spin to give Australians a clear picture of which leader has the momentum.
“This is the biggest election team 7NEWS has ever compiled, with award-winning reporters in every state as well as Canberra and our National News Desk ready to bring viewers the facts on every twist, every promise, every gaffe and every swing across the nation,” he said.
Riley, who is covering his 12th federal election in his 32-years in Canberra, a major part of 45 years in journalism, said:
“It will be a fascinating, combative and important contest as a first-term government battles to hold power against a buoyant and uncompromising Opposition.”
“It will be an honour to lead the biggest-ever election team across the platforms of Seven to bring viewers and readers the best, most accurate and informed coverage in a highly competitive and diverse media landscape.”
Riley will be joined by 7NEWS Chief Reporter Chris Reason, 7NEWS Foreign Editor Hugh Whitfeld and 7NEWS Business Editor Amelia Brace, while each state will have local award-winning reporters on the campaign trail too.
Led by Labor’s own Mark Reilly!
He never knows what he is talking about on election nights.
PhD in needles and reading the room 🧐
Oh the irony !