What we learnt, Tuesday 1 April
Many thanks for joining us on the blog today. Here are the main takeaways from another whirlwind day on the campaign trail:
Anthony Albanese kicked off day five of the campaign in Adelaide and continued his focus on healthcare, pledging $150m for a new centre at Flinders hospital.
Peter Dutton, meanwhile, visited Victoria and pledged an extra $1.5bn to the Melbourne airport rail link – saying he would cancel the $2bn federal commitment to the state’s suburban rail loop.
Victoria’s premier, Jacinta Allan, said the announcement is akin to a cut and would hurt commuters and workers.
Dutton also promised to change the “serviceability buffer” to make it easier for first home buyers to enter the housing market.
On the United States potential tariffs, the prime minister said the three areas of concern – the news bargaining code, pharmaceuticals and bio-security – were “not up for negotiation”.
This comes as former PM Malcolm Turnbull warned against Australia engaging in a race of “sucking up” to Trump.
Dutton has suggested the federal government should put conditions on education funding for the states that students not be taught a “woke agenda”. The treasurer, Jim Chalmers, labelled his comments as being “right from the Doge playbook.”
The Albanese campaign flew to Victoria in the afternoon for the first time in the election campaign, pledging $5.45m in upgrades for the Drysdale football netball club.
The Reserve Bank of Australia left rates on hold at 4.1%.
Labor has ticked ahead of the Coalition on a two-party-plus basis in the first Guardian Essential poll of the election period.
The first leaders debate is scheduled to take place on Sky News next Tuesday.
Krishani Dhanji will be with you bright and early tomorrow morning, where all the action will continue. In the meantime, take care.
Updated
Wong marks one year since Zomi Frankcom killed by Israeli airstrike
The foreign affairs minister, Penny Wong, has marked one year since Australian Zomi Frankcom was killed by an Israeli airstrike while volunteering in Gaza.
The 43-year-old from Melbourne was working with the NGO World Central Kitchen and was one of seven people killed last April when a convoy of cars was hit by an Israeli airstrike.
Israel’s defence force conducted an investigation into the incident, which resulted in two officers being dismissed and three others being reprimanded. But Mal Frankcom, her brother, said at the time he did not feel this was an adequate response.
In a statement this afternoon, Wong said her sympathies remain with Frankcom’s family and loved ones.
Ms Frankcom was driven by passion and a purpose. Aid workers like her, and the civilians they help, must always be protected. Gaza is the deadliest place to be an aid worker with almost 400 killed since Oct 7, 2023. We repeat our call on all parties to abide by international law.
The Albanese government will continue to press Israel for transparency and progress in the investigation into Ms Frankcom’s death - and for there to be full accountability. And we will work with partners as we pursue a new Declaration for the Protection of Humanitarian Personnel.
Updated
