Election 2025 live updates: Labor campaign launch under way in Perth after Dutton tells Liberal event ‘Australia will become a nuclear powered nation’

Cook says Albanese ‘WA’s partner in Canberra’ Roger Cook has been pitching Anthony Albanese as “WA’s partner in Canberra” and said: We see eye to eye. I have known Anthony for a long time. He listens. He has empathy. He has energy and tact. He remembers his roots and is living proof that in Australia, a boy from public housing can realistically aspire to the highest office in the land. Most importantly, he has an actual vision for this country we all love and call home. Cook says WA jobs were at risk under former Liberal government as relationships ‘trashed’ Back at the Labor campaign launch in Perth, the state premier Roger Cook is now up speaking. Cook said Anthony Albanese is a friend of WA – “but importantly, he is not been a fair-weather friend.” No other minister in recent history has invested as much in building their relationship with Western Australia than Albanese, and that is not easy – especially when so much of politics takes place in the eastern states. Cook also spoke about the former Liberal government and said it wasn’t that long ago that “many of our international blessings were attacked.” Liberals shattered friends faster than Elon Musk. This affected more than our representation, [it] affected our economy. They did its own defence plans for nearly a decade and famously upset the French – the French of all people. [They made] insulting jokes about rising sea levels. They abandoned diplomacy without top trading partner China in favour of aggressive rhetoric. This culminated in a legacy of Chinese tariffs against beef, barley, wine, timber and crayfish. As an export state, it was an appalling experience. Relationships that took years to build trashed at the expense of local industries and local WA jobs. Dutton wraps up appearance at Liberal campaign launch Jumping back to the Liberal campaign launch momentarily: After Peter Dutton wrapped up his speech, his wife, Kirilly, and three adult children joined the stage. The family waved to the crowd before the opposition leader greeted former prime ministers Scott Morrison, John Howard and Tony Abbott, who had been sitting in the front row. There were plenty of cheers in the crowd. Morrison was asked by reporters what he thought of the campaign so far. The former prime minister said Dutton still had three “very strong weeks” to sell his plans to Australian voters. Marles says Australia ‘doesn’t need to borrow our slogans’ from the US Richard Marles has also taken aim at Peter Dutton for “trying to copy and paste policies” from the US, saying: Cuts and culture wars have no place here. He has been caught out this campaign trying to copy and paste policies from overseas to try and win an election here in Australia. In these uncertain times, we need leadership that is considered, not chaotic. Reliable, not reckless. Anthony Albanese is providing leadership Australia needs right now, and Peter Dutton could not more different … Australia is a great country. We don’t need to borrow our ideas and we don’t need to borrow our slogans either. Marles says Dutton’s plan is ‘cuts and more cuts’ Richard Marles has highlighted Peter Dutton’s comments that he wants to perform “economic surgery” on the country, and said: That definitely sounds painful, and there ain’t no way that ain’t going to hurt, because only one procedure Dr Dutton knows how to perform – cuts and more cuts. Medicare, Dutton it will cut it. Energy bill belief, Dutton will cut it. Tafe, Dutton will cut it. New housing, Dutton will cut. Jobs and wages, Dutton will cut it … Why does Peter Dutton need to cut? Why does Peter Dutton want to make you pay? So he can spend $600bn on his precious pet project: a nuclear power scheme that will take long to finish, cost too much to build and won’t deliver enough energy. Marles compares Albanese to Dutton, says opposition leader is ‘serving himself’ Richard Marles has taken aim at Peter Dutton for his comments on the radio about wanting to live in Sydney if elected PM. He said: [Dutton] was on radio telling everyone that when he becomes prime minister he wants to live in a mansion on Sydney Harbour, which, remember, is exactly where he was at a Liberal fundraiser when a cyclone was barrelling towards his home state of Queensland. Anthony was actually there in Brisbane [with] the defence force personnel serving the community. Peter Dutton was on Sydney harbour, serving himself … Marles argued this “sums up the difference in character between these two men”. Anthony Albanese, who understands the power of his office and how he can use it to help Australians, and Peter Dutton, thinking about the perks of the office, and what he can do with it to help himself. Marles outlines three years of progress, arguing it could be ‘lost in less than three weeks’ The deputy prime minister and defence minister, Richard Marles, is up next – speaking about what Labor has achieved over the past three years. He pointed to real wages going up, more jobs, tax cuts, cheaper childcare and medicines, 87 urgent care clinics, fully funded public schools, fee-free Tafe and cutting Hecs by 20%. He said: While there is a lot to be proud of, there is still a lot left to do and to build – and there is so much that we must protect. All of that progress is at risk in this election, it could all be lost, and in less than three weeks. Aly says Australia ‘bows to no one and looks down to no one’ under Labor Anne Aly said that under Labor, Australia would be a country that “bows to no one and looks down on no one”. And we will do this on the way we have always done it, the Labor way – making a difference that ultimately lifts us all. She said the party stood on the shoulders of every Labor member, union member and volunteer, saying, “We need more of you out there.” Friends, we are stronger together. And we are better together. And for that, our nation is better. The Labor campaign launch begins in Perth with the youth and early childhood minister, Anne Aly, as the first speaker. She said that when Labor governments were elected, “lives are changed for the better”. Maybe its the story of a struggling single mother, or the story of the son of a single mother who grew up in public housing. The Labor party is built on your stories, it is built on the stories of opportunity, and of hard work, and of aspiration. But these are not just stories, they are actually powerful realities. Because we all know that when Labor governments are elected, lives are changed for the better … You know what a Labor government has achieved in just one term. Now imagine what we can do in the second. Welcome to country given at Labor campaign launch in WA A welcome to country is now taking place at the Labor campaign launch in Perth. It’s worth noting that we did not see one at the Liberal campaign launch earlier. Gillard the special guest at Labor campaign launch The former prime minister Julia Gillard is the special guest at the Labor campaign launch, which is about to start. She has just arrived at the convention centre to a standing ovation, taking a seat in the front row among senior cabinet ministers. The venue is now playing a video montage highlighting Labor’s achievements in government. The soundtrack is a song with the lyrics “this is what we do”, pointing to investments in health, “fairer tax cuts”, and “improving the lives of every Australian”. Labor campaign launch event about to begin in Perth The Labor campaign launch event is about to begin in Perth. The room at this convention centre is filled with about 500 people, Labor sources said. The front rows are filled with the expected frontbench cohort, including Richard Marles, Jim Chalmers, Katy Gallagher, Jason Clare and Penny Wong. We can also see the WA premier, Roger Cook, and the former Labor leader Kim Beazley. Anthony Albanese’s son, Nathan, is also in the front. Above a giant sign with Labor’s “building Australia’s future” slogan are large Australian, Aboriginal, and Torres Strait Islander flags. The venue is playing Australian rock classics like Jimmy Barnes and Powderfinger. Dutton concludes speech with call to get Australia ‘back on track’ Wrapping up his speech, Peter Dutton ends with these words: We live in the best country in the world, but our country has gone backwards because of this bad government. Australians can’t afford three more years like the last three. This election is about your future. It is about your family’s future, and it is about our country’s future … I stand before you as a former police officer, as someone who started and successfully ran a number of small businesses, as a parliamentarian and a minister with 23 years experience across economic, national security and social portfolios. I’m ready to serve Australians as the strong prime minister and steady hand our country needs, and I lead a united and capable team. We are ready to govern. This is a pivotal election that will shape our future … Australians, let’s make sure that we can get this great country that we love back on track. Dutton says Coalition will ensure classroom place of ‘education not indoctrination’ Moving to education, Peter Dutton said education standards “have been in decline [and] it’s not an issue of funding”. We’re now at a point where we know it’s not a funding issue. The issue is what’s being taught in our institutions. A Coalition government is committed to ensuring that classrooms are places of education – not indoctrination … Under a Liberal Party that I lead, under a Coalition government that David Littleproud and I lead, our government will never be a substitute for parents and for parenting. We believe in the sanctity of parents and the role that they have in raising their children. Coalition will conduct ‘full audit’ on funding for Indigenous programs, Duttom pledges Peter Dutton said Jacinta Price would conduct a “long overdue, full audit” on government spending for Indigenous programs. We will identify what’s working and what’s not. We will re-introduce measures that we know in government worked, in consultation with communities, particularly where drugs and alcohol are prevalent. We will hold a royal commission into sexual abuse in Indigenous communities. It’s worth noting there is no evidence to support a royal commission on this issue. Dutton says Coalition will announce ‘significant’ defence investment soon Peter Dutton said the Coalition would soon announce a “significant investment into defence”. We must equip our military at speed and scale. In these uncertain times, that is just not an option. It’s a necessary investment in our security, in deterring aggression and in maintaining peace. And only a Coalition government can deliver that for today’s generation, and for generations to come. Dutton says Albanese made Port of Darwin announcement on radio after learning of Coalition’s plans Peter Dutton said the Coalition would return the Port of Darwin to an Australian government-approved operator. He claimed that Anthony Albanese heard the Coalition was planning to make this announcement and called ABC Radio Darwin “after a couple of wines”, and “tried to fumble his way through the interview to say what he was going to do, how tough he was, how he was going to take the Port of Darwin back”. The trouble for him was that the journalist who took the call knew a little more about the subject than he did, and it started to unravel very quickly, and that interview didn’t end very well. And it demonstrated to me, and I think to the Australian public, that this prime minister does things on the run. He’s always late to whatever needs to be attended to. Dutton declares that the Coalition will ‘stop the boats’ Peter Dutton has been speaking about reducing crime and received applause after saying the Coalition would “stop the boats”. He said: My government will work with states and with the territories, and we will reduce crime in neighbourhoods, in suburbs, in towns, in cities around this great country. Under Labor, the people smugglers have resumed their trade. A Coalition government, again, will stop the boats. There are three former prime ministers in this country who I’ve learnt a lot from in stopping the boats. We will stop them, I promise you, and we will make sure that we stop Labor’s bad policies, providing encouragement for people to hop on boats to come to our country. Dutton said there is a “right and wrong way to come to this country, and we will make sure that we enforce the rule of law”. Peter Dutton is now moving to the Coalition’s plan to allow first-time buyers of newly built homes to deduct mortgage payments from income taxes – as revealed by the ABC earlier today. He outlined the plan as follows: A Coalition government will allow you to deduct interest payments on the first $650,000 of a mortgage against your taxable income. We will allow these deductions for five years, provided you continue to live in that home for that period. This policy will be available to individuals with a taxable income of $175,000 or less, and joint applicants earning a combined income of $250,000 or less … The announcement that we make today reflects the reality for young Australians. So we will be a government that restores the dream of home ownership for young Australians so that they can get on to the property ladder. Dutton blames migration for housing crisis Moving to housing, Peter Dutton is now taking aim at migration numbers, saying there is a “big difference between controlled, planned and sustainable migration, and uncontrolled, unplanned and unsustainable migration”. In opening the migration flood gates, Labor has put more pressure on infrastructure, more pressure on services and, certainly, more pressure on housing. The opposition leader outlined several measures the Coalition would take, including: We’ll ban foreign investors and temporary residents from purchasing existing homes for two years. We will lower the permanent migration program by 25% for two years, and we’ll keep it sustainable ongoing. We’ll bring the number of new foreign students commencing higher education in our country down by 30,000 each year, and our cap will focus on major Metropolitan universities. Is migration really to blame? Our economics editor has investigated this claim below: Dutton says Coalition will deregister CFMEU if elected Peter Dutton said a Coalition government would “defund the activist-led environmental defence office that stymied projects across the country”. We will halve the project approval times, and we will tackle the criminal elements in our building industry … We will put a stop to this modern day Mafia in the form of the CFMEU, and we will deregister that organisation … We will reinstate the building watchdog, which was abolished by Labor when they came into power. Peter Dutton is now speaking about the Coalition’s nuclear policy and promises that Australia would become a “nuclear-powered nation” under the Coalition if elected. With nuclear power there is no need carpet our national parks, our prime agricultural land and coastlines with industrial, solar and windfarms, or 28,000 kilometres of transmission lines … Our economy has stagnated under the Albanese governments excessive and interference, privatising the agendas of inner-city Green voters, activists and union bosses, as they always do. Labor has used every tool at their disposal to target sectors critical for our economies. It has gone after miners, small businesses, farmers, fishers and foresters, from Tasmania to Western Australia, and when these industries suffer, we all suffer. My intention is to make Australia a mining, agricultural and manufacturing powerhouse once again. Dutton touts Coalition’s gas policy Now moving to energy, Peter Dutton has labelled Labor’s “renewables only” approach as “disastrous”. (A reminder – Labor has a future gas strategy, so it is not taking a renewables-only approach.) Dutton has been outlining the Coalition’s gas policy, saying: To reduce energy prices for Australians, a Coalition government will ensure that Australians have our gas to use here in Australia, to bring prices down. We will immediately introduce an east coast gas reservation. We will audit and green light new gas development projects right across the country and decouple the domestic market from overseas markets. Coalition would ‘abolish Labor’s super tax’: Dutton Peter Dutton said a Coalition government would “abolish Labor’s super tax”. There will be no increase to capital gains tax. There will be no inheritance tax, and a Coalition government will always deliver lower, simpler and fairer taxes. Dutton touts abolishing of ‘car and ute tax’ and tax cut policy Peter Dutton has now been touting the Coalition’s plan to abolish the “car and ute tax” that some carmakers say will drive up the price of popular vehicles. He said the Coalition would provide “choice” for Australians to “purchase whatever vehicle they want in our great country”. If you want to purchase an electric vehicle or a hybrid vehicle, that is perfectly within your right to do so, and good luck. If you want to buy a diesel or petrol vehicle, that is entirely your decision to make. Dutton also highlighted the Coalition’s tax cut announced today, saying: This will help people when they need help. These tax cuts will save families with two incomes as much as $2400. They will work in concert with our immediate fuel tax cut and with our plan to lower Australians’s power bills, which I will come to. Dutton says Australia must grow economy to become ‘more protected against external shocks’ Peter Dutton said there was the prospect of more “economic disruption around the world” and new dangers posed by “authoritarian regimes”. I know Australians are troubled by events at home and abroad and my message today to Australians is that these challenges provide clarity about what we must do as a nation. We must grow our economy so that we are more protected against external shocks; we must shore up our energy security so that we have an abundance of affordable and reliable power that we need for our future; we must freely industrialise so that we are less dependent on other nations for essentials; and we must strengthen our defence force so that we have the firepower and the capacity to deter any adversary who would seek to threaten us. He has criticised Labor’s economic policies and said the tax cut from “so-called Dr Chalmers” was “insulting”. Peter Dutton said the outcome of the upcoming federal election would “define the decades to come” and is a “sliding doors moment for our country”. He’s been taking aim at Labor for “rapid and unrestrained government spending”, saying this has “weakened our economy” and led to higher inflation and interest rates. Anthony Albanese speaks of a ‘Future Made in Australia’. But his government’s policies have done the exact opposite. Less is being made in Australia, and more is being made abroad … Dutton said there were moments in the last three years when Australia needed “leadership of strength” but were left with a “vacuum of leadership”, saying: When Alice Springs was rocked by crime, when antisemitism showed its vile face on the steps of the Sydney Opera House, when Chinese Communist Party warships tested weapons off our coast and circumnavigated our country. Dutton addressing crowd at Liberal campaign launch The opposition leader, Peter Dutton, is now addressing the crowd in western Sydney. Dutton has been thanking the former prime ministers in the room, first thanking John Howard for giving him his start as a minister. Thank you very much to Tony Abbott [who] restored integrity back into the defence budget … And Scott [Morrison], I will never forget sitting around the cabinet table with you during Covid-19 [discussing] how we can help Australians, save their businesses and livelihoods, and we did that … To all my parliamentary colleagues, I am grateful for the effort and the loyalty and what you bring together and the incredible alternative we are for the election that we must win. For more than 20 years, I’ve had a great honour of representing people of Dickson in Queensland and I want to say thank you very much. Dutton watches videos from colleagues and family in pre-recorded video The Liberal campaign launch is now playing a pre-recorded video of Peter Dutton, who said he inherited his “father’s emotional gene, unfortunately”. I think, I have worked pretty hard over the years to hide it; it doesn’t really get rewarded in our business so better not to show the vulnerabilities and carry on, so that’s the reason. In the video, Dutton watched messages from his family and colleagues, including the former PM John Howard, who said: Peter, I first got to know you when you were a candidate for Dickson, and bringing that enormous Queensland common sense to the party room. Dutton’s daughter said she still sometimes called him “Mr Potato Head” as a joke. Dutton said: I’m pretty relaxed, and give back as good as good as I get. Ley says Dutton is the ‘right man for the right moment’ and lashes PM as always ‘going missing’ The deputy leader of the Liberal party, Sussan Ley, is next up to speak at the Liberal’s campaign launch. She said that Peter Dutton is “ready”, pitching him as the next prime minister of Australia: In Peter Dutton, we have a tried and true leader, a leader who has been in the room at pivotal moments for our country, a leader who has made the big calls when they have mattered most, a leader in our world-class response to the Covid pandemic, a leader in a design and implementation of Aukus, a leader who pioneered the visionary Medical Research Futures Fund. He is ready. He is capable. He is the right man for the right moment. Ley also took aim at Anthony Albanese, telling the crowd: When Alice Springs was burning, he was at the Australian Open, feet up, drinking beers, eating ice-creams. When a synagogue in Melbourne was firebombed, he decided a hit of tennis in Perth was a higher priority. While Aussies paid thousands more in mortgage costs and power bills, he refused to apologise for promising the exact opposite. As Australians took up second and third jobs just to stay afloat, he was planning his retirement in Copacabana. Anthony Albanese’s relationship with the truth is so slippery that when he fell off a stage in front the entire country, he said it never happened. When there is a tough conversation to be had, this is a prime minister who goes missing. Littleproud says he trusts Dutton ‘with every fibre of my being’ Wrapping up his speech, David Littleproud said the Liberal and National parties had “never been closer” and that he trusted Peter Dutton “with every fibre of my being”. I don’t need big agreements. I would insult Peter Dutton if I asked him to put in writing our agreements, because Peter Dutton and I look each other in the eye, we shake each other’s hand and we know that I can trust and we are going to deliver. That is the sort of contract Peter Dutton and I will have with the people of Australia. Littleproud touts Coalition’s nuclear energy policy David Littleproud has now turned to energy and says this will “get us back on track and solve the cost-of-living crisis that every Australian is feeling today and into the future”. Touting the Coalition’s nuclear energy policy, he said: I am part of a Coalition that wants to leave a legacy – a legacy that just doesn’t last ten years, but lasts 60 to 80 years and beyond. We have to transition some of our coal-fired power stations, so why wouldn’t we transition them to nuclear energy. It just makes sense. It’s $263bn cheaper than an all renewables approach. And for us in regional Australia, we want to reduce emissions like everybody else. But just understand the burden you’re asking us to bear. You’re asking us to have 28,000km of transmission lines, solar panels and wind turbines littered across our landscape, tearing up your food security and pushing up your food prices. Why wouldn’t we do it a far better way? New analysis has shown the Coalition’s proposal to limit the rollout of renewable energy could stop at least $58bn of private investment in new developments and halt billions of dollars in flow-on spending in communities. You can read the full details on this below: Littleproud references voice referendum at Liberal campaign launch The Nationals leader, David Littleproud, is next up to speak at the Liberal party’s campaign launch. The voice referendum is one of the first things he addresses: I’m proud to have stood with Peter Dutton to be the first to say that we couldn’t support Anthony Albanese’s $450m referendum on the voice. We did it in a respectful way. We listened to both the yes and the no case. But we got back to the simple principle – a simple principle that we were about to repeat the mistakes of the past … of Atsic [Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission] Mark 2. The Liberal campaign launch is now kicking off in Sydney. Melissa Mcintosh, the shadow communications minister and member for Lindsay in western Sydney, was the first to speak, declaring western Sydney the “heartland of the Liberal party”. It is our heartland, because we are the party that encourages hope. We reward aspiration, and we value the Australian dream. But these ideals are being crushed by a bad Labor government. Greens continue call for negative gearing changes amid major party housing announcements The Greens have responded to the major parties’ pledges to first home buyers, saying they are only acting after “years of Greens pressure”. In a statement, the party said that while it is “good to see Labor starting to take the problem seriously by leaving investor tax handouts flowing and rents uncapped, the problem will only get worse”. The Greens said it wouldn’t stand in the way of Labor’s changes to the first home guarantee scheme or further investment in housing construction. But the party reiterated its call for changes to negative gearing and the capital gains tax discount. Its leader, Adam Bandt, said: To fix the housing crisis, we urgently need to reform negative gearing and the capital gains discount, cap rent increases and get the government to build homes people can genuinely afford. Tinkering around the edges means allowing house prices to continue to soar and generations of renters locked out of affordable housing altogether. Liberal royalty arriving at party’s campaign launch Liberal royalty is arriving at the party’s campaign launch in western Sydney this morning. Former prime ministers, Scott Morrison, John Howard and Tony Abbott, are in the crowd along with frontbenchers, Jane Hume, Michael Sukkar and James Paterson. Just moments ago, media travelling with the opposition leader were cordoned off from talking to politicians while waiting for formalities to kick off. Outside of the venue, Greenpeace activists held a rally against nuclear power – though it couldn’t be heard or seen by journalists in the holding pen. Chalmers says being treasurer is ‘more than enough’ for him when asked about potential leadership aspirations Taking a final question, Jim Chalmers was asked about the PM’s upcoming speech today – and whether he hopes to one day be in that position, launching the Labor party’s campaign is the leader of the party? But Chalmers answered: I would be very happy to be Anthony Albanese’s treasurer for as long as possible, because we are delivery cost of living relief, building Australia’s future, making the economy resilient in uncertain times, and that’s more than enough for me. Chalmers asked whether Labor has any further major announcements coming Early voting will begin in one week – can voters expect any more major announcements from Labor, or is what the party is offering largely already on the table? Jim Chalmers said people “will have to wait and see,” and continued: We have made it pretty clear that whether it was the announcements we made early in the year, the announcements Katy Gallagher and I made on budget night, subsequent announcements by the prime minister in the election campaign, that we have front-ended a lot of our announcements. We have done that … so people can get their head around them and understand the choices … No doubt there will be more to say over the course of the next 20 days or so in this election campaign. Chalmers says Coalition’s tax cut a ‘reckless distraction’ from nuclear policy Asked if the Coalition’s tax cut, unveiled today, is more attractive to voters than what Labor has previously announced, Jim Chalmers said: Peter Dutton is saying he will borrow and burn another $10bn, still provide no ongoing cost-of-living relief and then claw that back with permanently higher income taxes and lower wages and secret cuts, which will make Australians worse off. Now we know they are making this up as they go, because in their usual shambolic way, Peter Dutton and Angus Taylor have been saying for weeks there is no room for tax relief, and they have been banging on about sugar hits. So let’s see this for what it really is – this is a desperate and reckless distraction from their nuclear reactors policy, and the American inspired Doge-style cuts they will have to make to pay for them. Where will $10bn come from for Labor’s housing plan? The treasurer, Jim Chalmers, is speaking with the ABC about the Labor’s $10bn plan to help build 100,000 new homes for first home buyers. How will this be paid for? He said: It is a combination – $2bn in grants, and $8bn in loans. What that $10bn will do will be to help address the biggest issue in housing, which is housing supply, and related to that, construction costs. Protestors outside Albanese’s hotel in Perth Protesters backing the live sheep export industry, including a number of people in Liberal party shirts, are protesting outside the front of Anthony Albanese’s hotel in Perth this morning. The Labor campaign launch is happening in this city in a few hours. Protesters have found where the Albanese camp is staying, and about two dozen people with placards reading “keep the sheep” are on the footpath outside. The group is protesting Labor’s decision to ban live sheep exports. There are a number of people in the blue campaign shirts of local Liberal candidate Mic Fels. A number of trucks and cars are also circling the block, bearing similar placards. We saw a few Labor ministers, on their way from the hotel to the campaign launch, get jeered by protesters as they emerged from the lobby into their waiting van. Police and security are keeping a close eye, but despite the noisiness, the protest seems pretty well-behaved. King weighs in on potential North West Shelf extension Madeleine King was also asked about the North West Shelf, with Woodside wanting an extension. The government has pushed back approvals until after the election. Is this becoming an irritant in WA? King said this is a “significant extension that has been sought,” with a six-year assessment process. Now what needs to happen is a proper process around approvals. So, nothing has been put off. It is just allowing a department the time to make the right decision, and what we see coming from the Coalition is making decisions without seeing the facts or seeing the case presented to them. And that leads to the apprehended bias chaos that the Coalition left us with when they left government is few years ago. And quite frankly, I’ve been dealing with for two years, some of the court cases as a result of those things. The Coalition is promising a decision on Woodside’s plan to extend its gas processing plant in WA’s remote north-west out to 2070 within 30 days of winning the election. Labor MP says Coalition’s housing plan would help people ‘already able to get on property ladder’ Labor MP and resources minister Madeleine King has also just spoken with the ABC, about the duelling housing policies put forward by the major parties today for first-home buyers. Asked how attractive the Coalition’s policy will be to voters weighing up the two policies, King said that given the “back flips we’ve seen from the Coalition, I wouldn’t be surprised if this policy lasts the week – or doesn’t last the week.” We’ll see how that goes. We do have to see the detail. But what it looks like is that this is helping people who are already able to get on that ladder, and that’s great for those people. But there are a lot of people who can’t get on to that housing ladder, and that’s what Labor’s policy is going to enable. James Paterson was also asked about Jacinta Nampijinpa Price’s remarks yesterday that she wants to “make Australia great again”. Was this an unwelcome comment? He responded: Australia is a great country already but we don’t have the best government in the world, and frankly we need to change the government at the next election if we want to get our country back on track. Would he use this phrase himself? Paterson dodged the question: The Liberal party and the National party will get inflation down, build more homes and keep Australians safe. Only by voting for your Liberal and Nationals candidate can you get our country back on track. Is Australia already great at the moment? Paterson repeated himself and said: I think it is a great country but we don’t have the greatest government in the world, that’s for sure. Paterson says Dutton will give more details on Coalition housing policy at campaign launch today The Coalition’s campaign spokesperson, James Paterson, is speaking with the ABC right now and asked about its policy – as reported by the ABC – to allow first-time buyers of newly built homes to deduct mortgage payments from income taxes. Paterson said he had seen “speculation in the media this morning about a pending future announcement from the Coalition”. It certainly sounds like a very exciting and potentially transformative policy for first home buyers, but it is not my role as campaign spokesman to announce policies before my colleagues … If your viewers stay tuned into ABC for the next 50 minutes or so they will hear more from Peter Dutton about this and many other areas of policy from the Coalition. Dutton is in Sydney today for the Liberal party campaign launch – we’ll bring you his comments once he begins speaking later on. Dutton marks anniversary of Bondi Westfield stabbing attack The opposition leader, Peter Dutton, has issued a statement marking the one-year anniversary of the Bondi Westfield stabbing attack. He wrote: One year on from the Bondi Junction attack, we pause to remember a day that shook our nation – and the lives forever changed by one man’s evil. We remember six innocent people who were taken from us. We honour the survivors whose courage and recovery continue to inspire us. And we give thanks for the everyday Australians who did extraordinary things in the face of terror. Dutton said that one year ago, Australians “witnessed the very worst of humanity – but also the very best.” We saw compassion. We saw courage. We saw the triumph of the human spirit. We thank the paramedics, hospital staff, police and emergency services whose bravery and professionalism saved lives. We again acknowledge the heroism of NSW Police Inspector Amy Scott, who acted with remarkable poise to prevent further loss of life. For the families, friends and colleagues of the victims, the grief endures. But you do not carry it alone. Today, as a nation, we remember. We mourn. And we stand together – in sorrow, in strength, and in solidarity. ‘You have my vote’: Young Nationals account forgets to log out before leaving congratulatory comment on its post Did someone say, well done, Angus? It looks like someone with the Young Nationals has forgotten to log out of their account before leaving themselves a congratulatory comment. The Young Nationals shared a post on Facebook yesterday about going door knocking with the party’s leader, David Littleproud, and local candidate Sam Farraway in Calare. The top comment, posted by none other than the Young Nationals themselves, reads: Thank you Young Nationals, I’m new to the area and you have my vote. Fantastic. Great move. Well done, Young Nationals. Reactions flow to Labor’s housing announcement Reactions to Labor’s $10bn plan to help build 100,000 new homes for first home buyers have been flowing in this morning. The Community Housing Industry Association welcomed the move, saying it would unlock additional social and affordable rental housing supply. Its CEO, Wendy Hayhurst, said: We are particularly encouraged by the government’s explicit commitment that these first home buyer developments will unlock additional housing supply, including much-needed social and affordable rental homes. This is a critical aspect of the policy that will help address housing needs across the spectrum. Master Builders Australia also welcomed Labor’s plan, with its CEO, Denita Wawn, saying: Our industry is ready to deliver these homes, but rising costs, complex regulation, and a growing skills gap risk dragging down value for money … Supporting first home buyers is only meaningful if we’re also making it easier to build the homes they want to live in. Wawn said a “key missing piece” of Labor’s plan was more skilled people. We need a coordinated workforce plan that includes investment in training, incentives for small business employers, and a dedicated construction pathway for skilled migrants. We’ve heard housing announcements from both major parties today aimed at first home buyers. Here is a recap of what each is offering: Labor has announced a $10bn plan to help build 100,000 new homes nationwide for first home buyers. Under the plan, Labor would open the program to all first home buyers, allowing them to secure a home with only a 5% deposit, with the government guaranteeing part. It will also announce moves to help buyers avoid pricey mortgage insurance. The housing minister, Clare O’Neil, said the sods on the developments would begin turning in the 2026-27 financial year and homeowners would start moving in the year after. She also said the homes “in all likelihood” would be income tested. Meanwhile, the Coalition would allow first-time buyers of newly built homes to deduct mortgage payments from income taxes, the ABC reported. The policy would mean a family with an average income would be about $11,000 a year better off – or $55,000 over five years. We’ll bring you more details on the Coalition’s plan as we learn more. Ryan asked what she would do in event of hung parliament Taking a final question, Monique Ryan was asked what she would do if the election resulted in a hung parliament. She said it was difficult to say because “we are seeing even today the major parties are bringing out policies on the fly”. We’re less than three weeks from the election and the opposition has launched its first significant housing policy. What I would do in the event of being re-elected and neither major party are able to form government, would be to … sit down and try to determine which of them were best placed to provide the mature well thought out policy that the people of Kooyong told me they want. Monique Ryan was asked about her fellow independent Allegra Spender, who said she had paid an agency for influencers to create social media content. Ryan said she wasn’t doing this herself and had a media adviser to make social media content. The reality is young [people] don’t watch Insiders or read the papers. They get their news off social media. I have the youngest electorate in Victoria; it is important I engage well with the young people … I would argue that some of the rightwing press in this country should come with a verification from the Liberal party because I do think that much of what is put in the press and the rightwing press, in particular, has been fed to it by my political opponents. Asked if she had a problem with politicians paying for content in this way, Ryan initially said: We pay to generate the content we put to the voters. Not sure there’s an issue there. She then said, “I don’t have an opinion on it.” And pressed on the issue again, Ryan said: I have to give it thought. It’s not something I have given great thought. I haven’t engaged in anything in it … I think media diversity and the way that our media works in this country is something that would certainly merit greater examination and something we can talk about. Ryan weighs up both major parties’ housing announcements Monique Ryan has been asked to weigh in on both of the major parties’ latest housing announcements – first is Labor’s $10bn plan to help build 100,000 homes for first home buyers. She said policies that advance help for young Australians were “welcome”. I think the most important part of the policy platform that Labor rolled out is 100,000 new homes. It seems supply is a major problem in the market and it’s been the sticking point for making houses affordable. And what does she make of Peter Dutton’s plan to allow first-time buyers of newly built homes to deduct mortgage payments from income taxes? Ryan said this was “interesting”, but the problem was it “doesn’t address supply to any significant extent”. We don’t have any detail, nor any detail from the opposition about the cost. Does Ryan want to see the negative gearing rules changed? Monique Ryan said: “We need to look at all the rules around tax, at a federal and state level, to see if they are fit for purpose.” One thing I have heard every day for four weeks is Victorians’ frustration with land tax, with the capricious land tax that the Victorian state government has levied in the last few years. The way that feeds to the federal system is unpleasant for many people. We need the federal and state governments to be working together on these issues, not at odds with each other. Ryan labels Coalition tax cut measure ‘a one-off sugar hit’ As we reported earlier, the Coalition has announced a $10bn tax cut measure, giving Australians earning up to $144,000 up to $1,200 in tax relief in the upcoming financial year. Monique Ryan labelled the plan as a “one-off sugar hit which, let’s face it, is the desperate act of someone whose electoral campaign is tanking, and who is looking for some cheap votes”. I don’t think it would be in the best interests of the country to give everyone a one-off sugar hit tax cut at this point in time. We know that that would be inflationary. Monique Ryan on the US-Australia relationship, Trump and Aukus The independent MP for Kooyong, Monique Ryan, is also on Insiders this morning – and first up, she is asked about Aukus and Donald Trump. She was shown an excerpt from the Greens’ leader, Adam Bandt’s, speech at the National Press Club during the week, in which he expressed concern over the “big loser energy that is coming out of the White House” and said Australia was “joined at the hip” with Trump. Ryan labelled the specific comments as “undergraduate populism that doesn’t sit well with electorates like Kooyong”, but said more broadly, people in her electorate were concerned about “potential issues with Aukus” and the defence alliance with the US. Ryan said the US “might not always be a country which works to act in our best interests, both in trade and on defence”. She said: I think it is time for us to think about diversifying our interests as a country, to build our resilience … What we’ve seen is you couldn’t put an envelope between [the major parties] in their rush to be non-partisan on Aukus and the like, but many people in electorates like Kooyong are concerned that we will never see the Virginia submarines and that we are wasting potentially $400bn or more on a partnership which won’t pay off in the way that we need it to down the track. With the federal election fast approaching and the political parties and candidates imploring you to vote for them, you may be wondering who they even are. In this episode of Voting 101, Matilda Boseley gives you a brief guide to all the major – and some minor – parties vying for your vote this election: ‘Policy on the run’: O’Neil weighs in on Coalition’s new housing plan Clare O’Neil was also asked about the Coalition’s plan, announced earlier this morning, to allow first-time buyers of newly built homes to deduct mortgage payments from income taxes. The housing minister said it was a “bit early” for her to comment as she had not seen the detail, but added: I haven’t seen anything on this proposal [other] than the fact that it seems to have emerged and perhaps not gone through a proper shadow cabinet process. What we’ve seen today is public policy on the run for a campaign on the slide here, and it’s been chaotic … so let’s see if this is still their policy by the end of the week. Maybe then we will take it seriously. Will the government bring in more construction workers? Clare O’Neil said it was a “demand-driven system”, and after the government brought in around 10,000 workers last year, she expected the numbers to “continue along those lines”. We have a demand-driven migration system. In the last year, we brought about 10,000 workers into the country who have construction skills and I would imagine the numbers will continue along those lines … The government doesn’t set how many construction workers come in each year. It is a demand-driven system. O’Neil says government-built homes would ‘in all likelihood’ be income tested Clare O’Neil said the government-built homes would be cheaper than those built by the private sector and would be negotiated on a state-by-state basis. She pointed to South Australia as an example and said: In the South Australian example, we are building homes that are affordable entry level of the market, somewhere between [$500,000] and $600,000. It is pretty hard to find new affordable housing at that price in most parts of the country right now. O’Neil said the houses would “in all likelihood” be income tested. We are targeting people who won’t otherwise have an opportunity for home ownership. That is what the Australian people expect of the government. Housing minister says government not competing with private market in housing plan Clare O’Neil was also asked if the government would compete with the private market as part of this plan. She rejected this, saying the type of housing Australia urgently needed was “not getting built, so we are not competing”. The housing that is being built today is not affordable for most young people who are entering the market and that’s the real problem. What we are doing is supplementing supply at the affordable end of the market, and that’s where it is really needed. How long will it take to get those 100,000 homes? Clare O’Neil said it would be an eight-year plan, and if re-elected, Labor would sit down with the states and “map out where these projects will be built”. They will involve state, local and federal government land; they will involve some private developers and some state agencies. We will start turning sods on these developments in the 2026-27 financial year and homeowners [will start] moving in the year after. O’Neil defended this timeframe, saying the average time to build an apartment was three years. Our government is doing a lot to truncate those timelines, but it is the reality of the situation. O’Neil says Labor’s plan won’t have ‘significant impact’ on housing prices Clare O’Neil was asked whether Labor’s plan would impact house prices. She said it wouldn’t have a “significant impact”. We have 700,000 property transactions happening in Australia each year. We are talking about a pretty narrow band of new first home buyers in the market. O’Neil outlines Labor’s $10bn plan to build 100,000 homes for first home buyers The housing minister, Clare O’Neil, is speaking with ABC’s Insiders this morning about Labor’s $10bn plan to help build 100,000 homes for first home buyers. She described Australia’s housing crisis as “a generation in the making [and] a life-defining issue for literally millions in our country”. O’Neil outlined Labor’s plan as this: For the first time in Australian history, the Commonwealth will partner with the states to build 100,000 homes exclusively to sell to first home buyers. Those first home buyers won’t be competing with property investors or people of other generations, but are a direct shot of owning their own home. O’Neil said that older generations were “not hearing the level of distress that young people around our country are in”. We’ve got a generation of young people who are putting off the decision to have children or deciding not to undertake further study or working in jobs that aren’t right for them just because they can’t get into stable housing. This policy reduces the amount of time it takes a young couple to save for a deposit from between 10 and 11 years, all the way back to two to three years. Paterson says ‘making Australia great again’ is ‘not my style of politics’ The Coalition’s campaign spokesperson, James Paterson, was up on Sky News just earlier, also weighing in on Jacinta Nampijinpa Price’s remarks that the Coalition would “make Australia great again”. Paterson dodged an initial question and instead took aim at Labor, but when asked if the Coalition was hoping to “make Australia great again,” he responded: Well, that’s not my style of politics, Andrew. What we’re focused on is the damage that’s been done to our country over the last three years … The ABC has reported a new Coalition election pledge to allow first-time buyers of newly built homes to deduct mortgage payments from income taxes. The policy would mean a family with an average income would be about $11,000 a year better off – or $55,000 over five years. This comes as Labor has announced a $10bn plan to help build 100,000 homes for first home buyers. We’ll bring you more details and commentary throughout the day as we learn more. Albanese tells Australian UFC fighter to ‘go hard’ in message of support before headline match Some Australians will be glued to a brutal fight between two battle-hardened competitors duking it out in a no-holds barred street fight televised today across the land. And it’s sure to get ugly. And then, once the Liberal and Labor campaign launches are done, Aussies might be tuning into the UFC bout as well. Amid all the other news today, Anthony Albanese has published a video message of support for Australian fighter Alexander Volkanovski, who will compete for the UFC Featherweight Championship in the headline match of the event in Miami, Florida. Volkanovski will fight Mexico’s Diego Lopes for the belt. In a message posted to his Instagram and cross posted to the UFC’s Australian and New Zealand page, Albanese said: I’m in my own title fight at the moment, but I want to wish you all the best for yours. I know you’ll dig deep and make Australians proud. You are one of Australia’s great sporting champions. When you enter the octagon this weekend, Australians will be cheering you on. Go hard. The Nationals leader, David Littleproud, says Jacinta Nampijinpa Price “inadvertently” said the Coalition would “make Australia great again” during a press conference yesterday, and “we all make slips during the campaign”. In case you missed it, you can read all the details below: Speaking on the Today Show just earlier, Littleproud defended Price, saying: Oh, look, this is an impromptu speech … You’ve got a whole lot of words going around your head, she inadvertently made these comments. It’s nothing about trying to channel Trump at all … And, you know, we all make slips during the campaign. This was an inadvertent one by Jacinta. And if that’s the level of debate that the Labor party want to bring to this, rather than policy about the fact that there are Australians tonight that won’t be able to afford dinner, all they’ve got to run on, on their record is smear and innuendo. I think Australians want the adults in the room to run the show. Not one that’s just going to try and tear people down for slip of the tongues. Minns says a permanent memorial will come – but will take time to get right Chris Minns was also up on ABC News Breakfast this morning, asked whether a permanent memorial would still be happening. The premier said it would “definitely take place”, but needs to be done in consultation with the families and could take time. We want to make sure that it’s appropriate, that it’s a place for [the families] to come for quiet reflection, and that it doesn’t add to the pain that they’re feeling, that it’s an appropriate commemoration. That takes a bit of time. The Martin Place siege took many years to get right, but I think we got that right. The reason it took place, and took a bit of time, and is now considered an appropriate venue for commemoration, is because we didn’t rush into it. Minns wants to ensure ‘full inquiry and investigation’ into Bondi stabbing attack The NSW premier, Chris Minns, says the last 12 months have been “harrowing” for the families who lost loved ones in the Bondi Westfield stabbing attack. Speaking on Sunrise this morning, he said: No doubt [the families are] thinking about what their loved ones would have achieved over the last 12 months and what they had in front of them. The one commonality amongst all six of the people who were killed is that they were ambitious, bright, optimistic people that seemed to have the world at their feet – which means this tragedy is just all the more harrowing for Sydney and for those people. Asked what NSW has learnt, one year on, he said there would be a “full inquiry and investigation.” I know that people want answers and we need to do everything we possibly can to ensure that it doesn’t happen again, and that the state and the authorities learn the lessons. Commemorative display to mark community’s response to Bondi Westfield attack AAP reports that commemorative display boards will be temporarily installed in the nearby Oxford Street, to mark the community’s response to the Bondi Westfield stabbing attack. It will include photos from a candlelight vigil. The shopping centre’s owners will also place a floral tribute inside the centre. NSW premier Chris Minns and governor Margaret Beazley will lay flowers at the scene today along with local mayor William Nemesh and other officials. Welfare support officers will be available as the community is invited to reflect on the tragedy. Police commissioner marks Bondi Westfield stabbing attack anniversary The NSW police commissioner, Karen Webb, has also released a statement marking the first anniversary of the Bondi Westfield stabbing attack: Today we remember the victims of one of the most horrific events in Australian history. Our hearts are with their families who continue to endure unimaginable grief and do their best to carry on. Hundreds of people, including police, paramedics, and civilians, were all first responders on this horrific day. They are heroes, risking their own lives in an effort to save victims and nurse the wounded during what can only be described as a senseless tragedy. The memory and the trauma of this day will never be forgotten. Anthony Albanese has released a statement on the first anniversary of the Bondi Westfield stabbing attack, where six people were killed. In a video message released today, he said: One year on from the horrific attack at Westfield Bondi Junction, we pause to remember those whose lives were stolen on what should have been just another Saturday. Hold on to all they were and all they had ahead of them. This should not be an anniversary. They should still be here – with their families, their friends and in their communities, with all their hopes and dreams and joys that are the very essence of life. While the Labor and Liberal parties will hold their respective campaign launches today, in Perth and Sydney, Albanese said: As we grieve them, we think of everyone who wakes each morning and feels the pain of their loss anew. And we think of those who live with the memories, from the shop staff to the shoppers to the first responders. It was a day that cruelty was met with courage. Six people were killed and 12 injured in the stabbing attack. The attacker was later shot dead by police. The PM said: Amid the terror, people were tested in ways they had never imagined, yet their first instinct was to help each other. To offer comfort, compassion and protection to friend and stranger alike. And some even ran towards the danger. In the hours and days that followed, we saw a community united in grief, reaffirming for all of us a core truth: that love is greater than hate. Labor’s $10bn housing investment labelled ‘game changer’ for new supply Labor’s housing investment is a “game changer” for new supply, according to the Property Council of Australia. As we brought you this morning, Anthony Albanese will today announce $10bn for new housing supply with the states, in a bid to build 100,000 new homes specifically for first homebuyers, as well as open up the successful home guarantee scheme (which allows buyers to secure a mortgage with just a 5% deposit) to all first homebuyers. The Property Council has previously raised concerns and doubts about whether Labor could meet its existing housing targets, projecting that the government was well behind its goals. But the group’s CEO Mike Zorbas said the new program was a “balance between supply-side investment and demand stimulus that both supports first home buyers and acts as a hedge against global uncertainty.” This kind of generational investment is a game changer for new housing supply. 100,000 new homes will be a big boost to our welcome and ambitious 1.2 million new homes target. We look forward to early industry involvement in the scheme design to make sure the benefits are maximised. Zorbas said expanding the home guarantee scheme would also be a boost to first homebuyers. Bridging the deposit gap is a critical factor in getting more young Australians into their own homes, many of whom are otherwise watching their dreams of home ownership slipping away. With the average age of first home buyers in our capital cities approaching 40, this is an important measure. The Coalition has announced a $10bn tax cut measure giving Australians earning up to $144,000 up to $1,200 in tax relief in the upcoming financial year. Peter Dutton announced overnight the “temporary and targeted” cost of living relief would put “money back into the pockets of millions of Australians”. Those earning between $48,000 and $104,000 would benefit from the full offset of $1,200, which the opposition claims would benefit around 85% of taxpayers. It comes as the Albanese government pledged $10bn to help build 100,000 new homes nationwide for first-home buyers. Dutton said: Our cost of living tax offset will put more money back into the pockets of millions of Australians at a time when they’re being crushed by skyrocketing grocery bills, rent, mortgage repayments and insurance costs. The opposition leader said the measure, in conjunction with its promise to temporarily halve the fuel excise to 25.4 cents, would “put more money back into the pockets of millions of Australians at a time when they’re being crushed by skyrocketing grocery bills, rent, mortgage repayments and insurance costs”. Good morning and welcome to our live coverage of day 17 of the election campaign. Both major parties will hold their campaign launches today. Labor is holding its launch in Perth, with housing on the agenda: the prime minister, Anthony Albanese, has announced a $10bn plan to help build 100,000 homes for first home buyers. The proposed program would allow first home buyers to secure a new build with a 5% deposit, with the government to guarantee part of the deposit. It would require agreements with state and territory governments to fast-track land releases and building approvals, with the aim of the first residents moving in by 30 June 2028. Albanese said: I want to help young people and first home buyers achieve the dream of home ownership. Western Australia was key to Labor securing its election victory in 2022 and they’ll be hoping Western Australia delivers again: the seats of Pearce and Tangney, won by Labor in 2022, are facing strong Liberal campaigns, as is the previously blue-chip seat of Curtin which was won by independent Kate Chaney. Moore, held by former Liberal MP now independent candidate Ian Goodenough, is also in play. There’s also the new seat of Bullwinkel in east Perth, which the ABC’s Antony Green says is notionally Labor but the Nationals candidate, the former state leader Mia Davies, has strong name recognition. Josh Butler is on the campaign trail with Albanese and will bring you the latest. Peter Dutton was in Perth yesterday but will be in Sydney today for the Liberal party campaign launch. He’s announced a $10bn plan for temporary tax relief, to roll out next financial year. We’ll bring you more details on that shortly. It’s also likely he’ll continue to be asked about comments made by Jacinta Nampijinpa Price while standing next to him at a joint press conference in the seat of Tangney, that she wanted to “make Australia great again”. Sarah Basford Canales has been on the trail with Dutton and will keep you up to speed. For now, get a hot beverage of your choice and settle in. There’s more to come.