An Australian Electoral Commission official insists the media leave the Brisbane polling booth where the Prime Minister was about to vote

The media is kicked out of Kevin Rudd's polling booth

LOOK, I know you're with the Prime Minister but ... YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE TO GET OUT.

A powerful young polling booth officer from the Australian Electoral Commission caused havoc this afternoon when he ordered the media to get out of the polling booth at St Paul's Anglican Church in Brisbane's east, where Kevin Rudd was to cast his vote.

"You don't have the relevant permission," the polling place liaison officer said, blocking the cameras and standing in front of Prime Minister Kevin Rudd.

He was perhaps unaware his demands were being live-streamed to a national audience.

The Prime Minister's office appeared to have not organised permission for the national media after choosing the booth.

LIVE ROLLING COVERAGE OF THE ELECTION

Mr Rudd then suggested the media leave the hall until the AEC gave authorisation for the media to enter.

The media re-entered the church ten minutes later.

A spokeswoman for the Australian Electoral Commission in Queensland said they had gone to "every length" to find out where Mr Rudd was planning to vote without success.

"We're actually diverting any media requests now to the Labor Party."

Media who film at polling places are required to obtain prior permission from the AEC.

There were very few supporters at the polling booth for Mr Rudd but the Prime Minister stopped and spoke to those who wanted to wish him well.

"Good luck Kevin," one woman said.

"The smartest mind in Australia."

Overwhelmingly, however the reception was not good for the Prime Minister.

It took him just several minutes to cast his vote.

Mr Rudd's wife Therese gave him a hug after he dropped his ballot paper off.

Mr Rudd avoided media questions both on the way in and out of casting his vote.

Asked by News Corp Australia how he felt about the next few hours potentially being his last as Prime Minister Mr Rudd was stoney faced.

Mr Rudd stopped to buy a sultana cake, date loaf and some jam at a local store after voting.

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