Early voters cast their ballots on the first day of pre-polling as Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Opposition Leader Anthony Albanese continue their campaigns following a fiery debate.
Look back on how Monday's events unfolded in our blog.
Key events
- Is it time for an independent debates commission?
- Keen voters cast their ballot on first day of pre-polling
- Labor pledges to expand hospital in Boothby
- Morrison defends his government's 'economic shield'
- Scott Morrison addresses last night's 'spirited' debate
- Special taskforce investigates claims campaign posters of independent candidates being tampered with
- The group behind the Uluru Statement from the Heart calls for a referendum to be a key election issue
- Labor has a $146 million plan to entice high achievers to study teaching
- AEC Commissioner Tom Rogers has some tips if you're planning to vote early
Live updates
By Jessica Riga
We're going to wrap up our live coverage here
Thank you for your company today. We'll be back tomorrow with more live coverage of the campaign trail.
Until then, you can continue to stay up to date here on our Australia Votes website.
And might I recommend some further listening with today's episode of our Australia Votes podcast?
See you tomorrow!
By Jessica Riga
Is it time for an independent debates commission?
Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young thinks so.
"I think it would have to be a piece of legislation in the first instance. It would allow for the establishment of an independent debates commission. Who is on that and how that board or commission is selected is up for discussion," she told Afternoon Briefing.
"It's really to get this out of the hands of political parties and politicians on the eve of an election. Other countries do this. They have independently agreed, monitored and implemented debates for their elections. I think it's time we have something similar here. Australia has a really proud history of having an independent Electoral Commission.
"We should be extending that now to a debate, so it's not left to the faceless men or women in the political parties or the chief of staffs of leaders, to thrash out what they think is going to suit their boss best. I'm more interested in putting the public interest of these debates front and centre."
She added that a "fully fair" debate would include the leader of the Greens, but denied that's the party's primary motivation to establish an independent debates commission.
"My primary motivation is making sure the public get access to the views, the ideas, and that insight into what democracy can deliver for them.
"Last night there was a void of real solutions being put forward because it was more about the egos of the two men on stage."
By Jessica Riga
Second leaders' debate was 'excruciating', Greens say
Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young was just on Afternoon Briefing with Greg Jennett and Fran Kelly and said last night's leaders debate failed to address key issues and didn't inform voters.
"It was excruciating, Greg, let's be honest. It was excruciating," she said.
"Perhaps there were times when you wanted to look away because you couldn't because you were too worried what would happen next. It was, as Fran identified, for many of us, two blokes shouting at each other and not really debating the big issues we know as Australians we face. Whether that's the climate change crisis, the inequality crisis or how we help make workplaces safe safer and more secure for low income workers and particularly women.
"Right across the board I thought there was a void of real policy discussion and debate. The shouting might make people think they have good ratings, but it doesn't do well to service the informed voter. I think that's the problem here."
By Jessica Riga
Analysis | Higher rates and lower growth: Tough times ahead for whoever wins election
Taming inflation without tipping the economy into a severe recession will be no easy task for the leader who assumes power after the May 21 federal election, writes business editor Ian Verrender.
It was a sober reminder of just who calls the shots.
Shortly after the first interest rate hike in more than a decade, Treasurer Josh Frydenberg — alongside Prime Minister Scott Morrison — stood before a packed room of reporters, desperately attempting to hose down suggestions the rare, pre-election rate hike had been spurred by overly generous spending promises.
Looking pensive as he batted away a question, Frydenberg's image suddenly disappeared mid-sentence.
"And now we're taking you live to a press conference with Reserve Bank governor Philip Lowe," the presenter announced.
A contrite Dr Lowe opened with an apology, quickly followed by a stark warning. Having lured hundreds of thousands of new homebuyers into the market with assurances right up until last Christmas that interest rates would be on hold until 2024, the RBA's messaging now is to prepare for a series of rate hikes this year.
It was a graphic illustration of the fluidity of the global economic situation and the speed with which things are changing. And it highlighted just how easy it is to make mistakes with potentially dire consequences.
Treasury's forecasts for Australia's economy — delivered just six weeks ago in a pre-election budget — are now obsolete.
By Jessica Riga
Labor MP apologises for resurfaced tweets
Federal Labor MP Brian Mitchell has apologised for resurfaced social media posts made about female incontinence, more than a decade ago.
In 2011, the member for the Tasmanian seat of Lyons declared if an ALP national conference went for too long, women would lose control of their bladders and mops would be needed.
Labor Leader Anthony Albanese has labelled them "inappropriate."
Mr Mitchell says that while the tweets are old, he regrets the comments.
"I think its absolutely appropriate that every member of parliament is held to account for what they've said, either in the past or now, and I take responsibilty for the comments that I've made. I apologise for the things that I've said. I shouldn't have said those things. I wish I hadn't," he says.
By Jessica Riga
Democracy sausage dog!
As the Australian Electoral Commission says, Fred (!) is waiting until May 21 to get a sausage, but you can cast your vote early from more than 500 voting centres, which you can view here.
By Jessica Riga
Keen voters cast their ballot on first day of pre-polling
Voters have hit booths across Melbourne electorates this morning as early polling opened across the country.
Holiday makers are making up large swathes of the early voters, with many planning to be out of the country by the time the ballots are counted on May 21.
"I'm leaving to fly to Europe on Thursday," said a voter in the seat of Melbourne.
"I came just to beat the queues, get in early and put my vote forward for Australia," said another voter in the seat of Higgins.
When quizzed about what issues were affecting their vote this election, many said they were looking for a change.
"I think my discontent with the last few years of what we've seen," said one voter.
"Mainly integrity, I'm a bit tired of people not doing what they say they're going to do," said another.
The marginal seat of Dunkley is poised to be hotly contested this election.
Both incumbent MP Peta Murphy and Liberal candidate (and former Australia Survivor runner-up) Sharn Coombes were on hand with pamphlets in the Melbourne suburb of Carrum Downs, hoping to sway undecided voters.
Reporting by Andrea Nierhoff
By Jessica Riga
We fact checked Scott Morrison and Anthony Albanese at the second leaders' debate. Here's what we found
The second leaders' debate on the Nine Network last night was full of accusations and acrimony.
Amidst the shouting and over-talking coming from both Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Opposition Leader Anthony Albanese, it was easy for the facts to get lost.
You're probably wondering how close some of the things that were said came to being correct. RMIT ABC Fact Check has you covered here.
By Jessica Riga
By Jessica Riga
What do you think of the new blog?
In case you didn't notice, we've made some shiny new improvements to our live blog experience this morning!
We hope it'll make the blog easier for you to navigate, make it easier to see some more of our other great election content, and feature all of the moments we answer your briliant questions.
We're keen to hear what you love (or hate) about the new experience. If you got two minutes to share some feedback, we'd love you forever for it.
You can tap here to take a short survey and tell us what you think.
By Jessica Riga
How can I vote early and where can I go? Your pre-polling questions answered
With just weeks left until the federal election, the opportunity to have a say on Australia's future has begun.
While most have their calendars marked for Saturday, May 21, many keen voters want to know how to beat the queue and what the options are if they can't make it to a polling station.
By Jessica Riga
That's it for Anthony Albanese's update
He has to race off as he's got one more state to visit, which will be the third one today.
By Georgia Hitch
A question now on the split of GST
Question: On the issue of GST distribution, the South Australian Premier wants the no-worse-off top-up payments to states other than WA to be made permanent beyond 2026 to 2027. Would you support that and go over the current deal?
Albanese: "We have no plans to change the arrangements that are in place."
Shadow Treasurer Jim Chalmers steps in to add a bit to that answer.
Chalmers: "I mean,, there's a deal that's been done between the Commonwealth and the states, which we have said in all of the capital cities right around Australia that we intend to honour.
"We totally understand, whether it's Premier Malinauskas or other premiers of both political persuasions around Australia, their job is to advocate for the best deal that they can get. And our job is to weigh that all up. But we've made it very clear - Anthony has, I have - that we don't intend to revisit the current deal."
By Jessica Riga
Anthony Albanese comments on LNP candidate allegedly providing false details about home address
The Opposition Leader wasn't asked about this so he brought it up himself at the end of the press conference.
"Can I just make one comment? Because I'm not sure he's been asked," Anthony Albanese says.
"But I do want to say that the Prime Minister needs to do more to respond to the referral of the candidate for Lilley to the Australian Federal Police by the Australian Electoral Commission. This is a really serious issue and the Prime Minister needs to respond as to what action he will take on this issue."
By Jessica Riga
Does Anthony Albanese agree with John Howard's comments?
Q: Just on John Howard's comments, who said that it was inevitable Australia will develop a civil domestic nuclear industry, are you concerned by those remarks, considering Labor's support of AUKUS is predicated on that we do not develop one?
"No. I think Mr Howard's wrong. And, indeed, the advice and part of the decision-making process in the briefings that we had about AUKUS - that included Senator Wong and Richard Marles and Brendan O'Connor - were that you didn't need a domestic civil nuclear industry in order to support the nuclear submarines. We made very clear our support for nuclear subs. We made that on the basis of the advice that we received. And we stand by it."
By Jessica Riga
What would be Labor's first point to action to repair Australia's relationship with the Pacific?
Q: On the Solomon Islands, there's a report in the newspaper today, in The Australian, that there are secret deals between China and the Solomon Islands to put in place infrastructure for fishing, infrastructure for mining. Do you think this relationship currently is in crisis? And what will you do, sort of, if you're elected, to fix it?
Shadow Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong answers.
"I think I can't verify that report, obviously. But what I would say is this: If it's true, it demonstrates the seriousness of what has occurred on Mr Morrison's watch. It also demonstrates that the sort of tough words he's talking about, or trying to use about red lines, don't appear, if the reports are correct, to be the way forward, or appear to have much effect," she says.
"We have to work with the whole Pacific family to ensure that security for the region is provided for in the region. But what I would say is this: You know, this is a very serious ... This is a very serious problem which has occurred on Mr Morrison's watch. It will take, if we are elected, it will take a lot of work to address it. We've announced a series of policies around the Pacific to really ensure that we are much more actively the partner of choice in the region. And we announced them in Darwin a couple of weeks ago. And, you know, as you will see from that, it's about leveraging our strengths, our proximity, our voice, and we'll continue - we will make sure, if we are elected, that that's delivered."
Q: You said it will take a lot of work. What will be your first point of action in terms of repairing the relationship with the Solomon Islands, if you are elected?
"Well, I think we've laid out a pretty good plan for the Pacific. And if I dare to say, a more detailed plan than the Government has put in place.
"If I may finish. A plan which recognises the place Australia has and seeks to leverage our strengths, including our proximity, with the use of an additional visa, improving the labour market programs, funding more voices in the Pacific. So, you know, we will implement that. But I would say to Australians what we are seeing is a demonstration of what has occurred on Mr Morrison's watch."
By Georgia Hitch
Is Labor committed to increasing federal health funding?
ICYMI states and territories are mobilising for a stoush with both sides of federal politics over public hospital funding, demanding the federal government foot more of the bill.
So, with that in mind Anthony Albanese's been asked if federal Labor would commit to increasing, to some degree, the Commonwealth's share of health funding?
The Opposition Leader didn't make any commitment but suggested more announcements would be made before the election.
Albanese: "Well, we've made a number of announcements did you go this campaign, including urgent care clinics that will take pressure off emergency departments, including the capital funding that we've announced here, including issues such as hearing for young people, telehealth in terms of mental health issues for people in regional communities. We'll have some more to say on health during this campaign."
By Georgia Hitch
Question now about elderly woman who waited outside hospital
Couple more questions so the SA Premier about the state of health and hospital funding and, in particular, this article about an elderly woman who spent hours outside a hospital in the cold because of long wait times.
"Tragically at the Lower Mac we saw someone not getting the care that any Australian with a degree of compassion would see or expect. We saw a person stuck outside because we haven't seen investments in health capacity required," Peter Malinauskas said.
When asked if he could assure South Australians that no other patient would be left out in the cold, Mr Malinauskas said:
"Tragically at the Lower Mac we saw someone not getting the care that any Australian with a degree of compassion would see or expect. We saw a person stuck outside because we haven't seen tin vestments in health capacity required."
He also said he didn't think a future Labor government would offer free rapid tests, saying the focus of the federal Labor party would be to improve health infrastructure.
By Jessica Riga
Is this funding in the budget?
Another question for Peter Malinauksas.
Q: The $200 million on the table, would that be in the Budget?
"Naturally, we're going through the Budget process, which is gonna be handed down on 2 June. And what you can be assured of is that if Federal Labor is elected, this project starts major construction in two years' time. Or by the end of 2024.
Q: That would put us further into the red than what was flagged leading into the state election?
"I'm not gonna start pre-empting the Budget on 2 June. But needless to say, all of our election commitments have been fully funded. And should Labor be elected in only a couple of weeksee time, we will make sure this project goes ahead on time, as announced today."
By Georgia Hitch
Is Labor's pledge an attempt to buy votes?
Another question to Mr Malinauksas, this time if the announcement is an attempt by Labor to buy votes in South Australia.
Malinauskas: "Absolutely not. This is thoughtful leadership looking at what we need in South Australia for the long-term. Parts of this hospital are 50 years old. In around the southern suburbs, it's an ageing population. It's a growing population. Without a partner in the Commonwealth, we won't see this project realised in the time-line proposed, an important point to reflect upon."
"If federal Labor is is elected, on the back of our election here, this project will start with major construction in 2024, due to be completed by 2028. If we don't have a Commonwealth partner, that timeline will erode - we will honour our commitment of 300 beds - but we don't have the capacity to do this size project considering everything we have going on."
