What we learned, Wednesday 23 April
Many thanks for joining us for another whirlwind day on the campaign trail – here are all the main takeaways from day 27:
A Coalition government announced that if elected, it would boost Australian defence spending to the 3% of GDP over the next decade – the figure demanded by the Trump administration of America’s allies.
Peter Dutton refused to specify where the additional $21bn in pledged defence spending would be allocated, nor where the money would come from, committing only to releasing the Coalition’s costings before the 3 May election.
Speaking to reporters, the shadow defence minister, Andrew Hastie, said Australia can’t take security from the US for “granted”.
The defence minister, Richard Marles, labelled the Coalition’s announcement as a “pathetic whimper”, and the treasurer, Jim Chalmers, demanded answers from the Coalition and for them to release their costings.
Liberal frontbencher Jane Hume has promised the Coalition’s costings will come “next week”. The opposition’s election commitments now total more than $50bn – not including the new defence announcement, according to Labor analysis.
Dutton committed to redoing security checks for thousands of Palestinians from Gaza granted visitor visas in Australia, and doubled down on introducing questions on antisemitism in citizenship tests.
The Coalition also confirmed it would axe Labor’s tax breaks for electric vehicle drivers – just two days after Dutton ruled out scrapping it.
Labor announced $78m to fast-track the qualifications of 6,000 tradies, as Anthony Albanese visited his electorate of Grayndler in the morning.
The prime minister also campaigned at Collie in WA, at the site of a proposed nuclear site from the Coalition that he says Dutton “refuses to visit”.
The health minister, Mark Butler, went head-to-head with the shadow minister for health, Anne Ruston. The treasurer, Jim Chalmers, and shadow treasurer, Angus Taylor, also faced off for the second time.
More than half a million voters have already handed in their ballots, according to the Australian Electoral Commission.
Krishani Dhanji will be back with you bright and early tomorrow morning. Until then, take care and enjoy your evening.
Updated
AEC identifies person behind unauthorised pamphlets targeting Allegra Spender
The Australian Electoral Commission says it has identified a lone individual allegedly responsible for distributing unauthorised pamphlets in Wentworth, targeting Allegra Spender.
In a statement tonight, the AEC said it would not be providing the name of the person, but it has confirmed the individual acted alone and has never been affiliated with any party, and is not contesting the election.
A written undertaking has been sought and received by the AEC from the individual responsible for the unauthorised pamphlets that they will not distribute any further copies of the material or any other unauthorised electoral matter during the 2025 federal election period. The AEC accepts this undertaking and at this stage does not consider an injunction is required.
The AEC said it is “considering its litigation options” and a final decision would be made after the election.
Voters are reminded to stop and consider the source of all messages relating to the 2025 federal election.
