Labor politicians descended on Perth, where the ALP launched its official election campaign with a pledge to make it easier for Australians to buy a home.
Look back on how the campaign launch unfolded in our blog.
Key events
- Albanese's closing statement
- Labor to establish a national housing supply and affordability council
- Labor promises to build 20,000 social housing units, shelter for those fleeing domestic violence
- Labor to reduce costs of medications on PBS
- Labor to fund more university places, more fee-free places at TAFE
- Labor to make gender pay equity an objective of the fair work act
- Labor promises to invest $1 billion in value added products from Australian resources
- 'We will implement the Uluru Statement in full', Albanese says
- And Anthony Albanese arrives
- 'Australia should have a government as decent as its people', Penny Wong says
- Greens to preference Labor over Liberals across the country
- Labor announces 'shared-equity' scheme for homebuyers ahead of Federal Election
- Here's where you can watch the Labor campaign launch
Live updates
By Jessica Riga
We'll wrap up our coverage here
Thank you for joining us today as we covered the Labor campaign launch in Perth!
You can continue to stay up to date with all the election updates here on the Australia Votes page.
We'll be back tomorrow to live blog another week of hustings. See you then.
By Jessica Riga
By Jessica Riga
Anthony Albanese a 'quality act', Mark McGowan says
Political reporter Jane Norman had a quick chat to WA Premier Mark McGowan following the campaign lanch.
"Anthony stands on his own two feet. He's a quality act and as you saw a deeply committed person who will I think will do a great job for Australia," he said.
By Jessica Riga
'Labor will never take a backwards step when it comes to standing up for Australia's values', Penny Wong says
Senate speaker Penny Wong is speaking to Greg Jennett and Andrew Probyn following the Labor campaign launch.
Q: The future may be one thing, but the recent past has been dominated by our relationship with China. Should Labor win on 21 May, what will you be doing when it comes to facing the challenges in the Solomon Islands, the challenges with the China relationship?
"I have said many times for a couple of years that we have structural differences in our relationship with China, we have different interests, different values, and whoever wins on 21 May will have two sensibly, calmly, and consistently manage those differences," Ms Wong says.
"I can say this to people, Labor will never take a backward step when it comes to standing up for Australia's interests and Australia's value.
"What it does not look like is allowing what has happened under there was to occur without any demonstrable evidence that they have actually engaged in a way that the Pacific leaders respect.
"I have talked at length about this previously, and I'm happy to talk about it on another occasion, the reality is we had a Prime Minister who dropped the ball when it came to the Pacific. We saw the consequences of that, we will seek to do that as consistently and calmly as we are able if we are to be elected."
By Jessica Riga
In pictures: Labor leader Anthony Albanese officially lauches his campaign
These photos are from ABC photographer Hugh Sando.
By Jessica Riga
That's it for Labor leader Anthony Albanese's campaign speech
By Jessica Riga
Albanese's closing statement
"My fellow Australians, the decision that you have to make in this election is not just a choice between Labor and Liberal.
"It is a choice between shaping the future of being shaped by it. I know we have been through tough times, I know the sacrifices that so many of you have made. You have earned a better future, and on 21 of May, I am asking you to vote for that better future.
"Vote for universal healthcare through Medicare, vote for cheaper childcare and cheaper energy bills. Vote for secure jobs and higher wages, vote for strengthening our universities and tapes, vote for action on climate change, vote for dignity and respect for older Australians, vote for an Australia that makes things here and stand in our own two feet
"Vote for an Australia that is confident and respected in the world. Vote for a country that celebrates our success as a multicultural nation. Vote for an Australia that recognises the great privilege of sharing our vast continent with the oldest continuous culture on earth.
"Vote for an Australia that believes the doors of opportunity should be open to all, no matter where you live, who you pray to, or who you love.
"Vote for hope and optimism, not fear and division. Vote Labor, so together we can build a better future, a better future for all Australians."
By Jessica Riga
'I will lead with integrity,' Albanese says
"For a decade and now the Liberal and Nationals have treated the Government as an inconvenient and public money as a slush fund.
"If you vote Labor that changes. A Labor government will restore trust and accountability to national politics. With a National Anti-Corruption Commissioner.
"As Prime Minister, I will not run from responsibility. I wouldn't treat every crisis as a chance to blame someone else. I will show up, and I will bring people together. I will lead with integrity, and I will treat you with the respect that you deserve."
By Jessica Riga
Labor to establish a national housing supply and affordability council
"I know full well that housing affordability and security are not problems that can be solved by the Commonwealth government alone," Anthony Albanese aays.
"We need to work in partnership with government at all levels. Local councils, state governments, and of the Commonwealth coming together and working with the private sector to put all the tools at our disposal to work.
"That is why I am announcing that Labor will establish a national housing supply and affordability council. Fixing land supply and planning with improve housing affordability and boost economic growth.
"We can do better than three more years of a government that is borders skyrocketing cost of living, and falling real wages. We have the worst inflation rate ended two decades. Families are struggling, worried about the future.
"Yet Scott Morrison just keeps on unscrambling from one photo opportunity to another, noting that the Australian people know who he is."
By Jessica Riga
Labor promises to build 20,000 social housing units, shelter for those fleeing domestic violence
"My fellow Australians, this is my vision for a stronger economy with greater opportunity, with the new investments in Australian skills and jobs and manufacturing and energy, with a new commitment to higher wages and more secure work, with new support for better education and training, and did new plans for decent childcare and aged care.
"This is the economy I want to grow and build for our country. An economy that makes it possible for more hard-working Australian to live in the security of a home at that they own.
"I am so proud of the housing policies that we have a before today. Our housing Australia Future Fund will build 20,000 new social housing units, and attend thousand affordable homes for essential work is the next five years, as well as new housing for homeless veteran.
"We will provide $100 million for crisis transitional housing for women and children at risk of violence. Because too many women are being turned away by under resourced shelters with no room, forcing women and their kids to slip into their cars, on couches, were it happens every single night into this country."
By Jessica Riga
'No one will be left behind,' Albanese says
"Whenever Australia needs a solution, [Scott Morrison] offers only smirk and mirrors," Anthony Albanese says.
"We can do better than this.
"We will look after the young, we will look after the sick, we will look after our older Australians, no one held back, and no one left behind."
"Our plan for cheaper childcare, will make childcare more affordable for 96% of families.
"Meaningful, on going help with the cost of living for families, not one of handouts which stop on the votes are counted as. Good policy on the childcare is about increasing workforce participation, it is about productivity improvements. It is economic reform not welfare that grows the economy. And our plan to restore quality and humanity to aged care. Older Australians built this great nation. You deserve dignity and respect in your later years, not neglect."
By Jessica Riga
Labor to reduce costs of medications on PBS
"Now, the fifth component of Labor is planned for the future and economic reform is about care: childcare, Medicare and aged care," Anthony Albanese says.
"It is only ever Labor Government to do the big reforms, drive their big changes, reshape the economy in the best interests of people, we always do it by bringing people together.
"It is why a Labor Government will invest in urgent care clinics across the country, taking pressure of emergency departments and making it easier to see a doctor.
"Now, the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme is another of the great Australian institutions, established by - guess who? Labor. Always Labor. And it is tangible proof of our unwavering commitment to universal healthcare.
"Today, I announced that Labor will make medicines cheaper for millions of Australians.
We will produce at the cost of medications on the PBS by $12.50, making them cheaper for general patients. This means the maximum price for PBS medicines will be just $30.
"Because we know that the price of medications have gone up under the Morrison Government, just like the cost to see a doctor has gone up. Medicare will always be stronger under Labor."
By Jessica Riga
Labor to fund more university places, more fee-free places at TAFE
"Growing up, my mum always told me that a good education was my ticket to a better life.
"Education remains the most powerful weapon we have against disadvantage and the best investment we can make in the future of our country.
"That is why we're going to fund university places and 465,000 fee-free places at public TAFEs.
"And we will create a new national authority, jobs and skills Australia, to ensure that the needs of the labour market can be met by Australians, a growing economy with more skilled workers for more good jobs. That is my vision."
By Jessica Riga
Albanese: 'We will stop the unfair cuts to the NDIS'
"It was care workers who kept us alive through the pandemic.
"Care workers are the arteries of our nation, our region, as it is, our suburbs. We must give them the respect and give them the investment that they deserve.
"Now, women workers have had a tough couple of years, and I want to tell you that we see you.
We seek the work you have done, both paid and unpaid. We appreciate it, and we value it.
"But we need to do more than simply thank you and applaud you. We need to fix the persistent structural barriers that prevent so many women securing decent jobs and careers and financial security over the course of your lives. That will be a key focus of a government that I lead."
By Jessica Riga
By Jessica Riga
Labor to make gender pay equity an objective of the fair work act
"The fourth element of our better future plan is in jobs and training. A Labor government will ensure a fair go of work extends to every Australian. That means a fair day's wage for a fair day's work.
"A principle fought for by the trade union movement which we celebrate today on May 1.
"It means a security, not working shift to shift, robbed of the chance to plan for the future. We can't continue to seek permanent jobs replaced by insecure, casual ones.
"People who want to secure work need to be able to find it again. I believe that one of Australia's greatest untapped resources is full and respectful economic participation of women.
"Now, under the Liberals, Australia has fallen to 70th in the world for women's economic participation and opportunity.
"Labor has already committed to using all of the tools that we have in our power to close the gender pay gap.
"Today, I announced that Labor will make gender pay equity an objective of the fair work act."
"If you want to represent the whole country, best not to leave more than half of the country out of it.
"We will set up expert panels on pay equity and the care and community sector to help improve paying conditions for women in those sectors."
By Jessica Riga
Labor promises to invest $1 billion in value added products from Australian resources
"Today I announced, as part of our national reconstruction plan, Labor will invest $1 billion in developing value added products from Australian resources.
"We will take resources like lithium and nickel, essential elements and the batteries that will power the vehicles of the future and instead of shipping them to another country to make batteries, we will have what we need to make them right here and then we can sell them to the world.
"Here in Western Australia, and right around the country, we will invest in local industries that create local jobs. We will bring manufacturing back home"
By Jessica Riga
Albanese outlines the five areas Labor will focus on
"The first of these is our powering Australia plan, which will drive investment in cheap, renewable energy.
"It will create 604,000 new jobs by 2030. Five out of six of those will be in our regions. It will put our regional cities in a wave of new economic growth, it will mean cheaper power for homes and businesses.
"We will end the climate wars. And our plan will help us protect our environment. Our coasts, our farmland, our beliefs, our forests, because Australia is wonders, our unique species and a beautiful home, must be left flourishing for the future generations.
"Powering Australia is not just about the environment. Is not just about industry. It will deliver real benefits to Australian families also.
"Today I also announce that Labor will build more electric vehicle charging stations across Australia so we can close the gaps that are there the network. And that means you will be able to drive an electric vehicle across the country, from Adelaide to Perth. From Brisbane to Mount Isa. Together with Labor's already announced electric vehicle discount, it will make it easier and cheaper for your next car to be an electric one."
By Jessica Riga
'If we do not shape the future, the future will shape us', Albanese says
"Make no mistake, climate change is here now. Our region is changing now," Anthony Albanese says.
"The jobs and skills and infrastructure that will grow our economy are needed now.
"There was a crisis in aged care right now. Families in need lasting help with rising costs right now.
"Australia does not have three more years to waste.
By Jessica Riga
'Here's what Australians know about Morrison'
"Scott Morrison says you do not have to like him, but it is better the devil you know. Here is what Australians do know, they know that he failed to bushfires, and they know he then failed on flood.
"They know he did not order enough vaccines, and that they did not order enough rapid antigen test. They know it is harder to see a doctor. They know aged care is in a crisis. They know it is harder to buy a home, and the cost of everything is going up their wages are not.
"That is the devil you know. These problems did not happen overnight, the Government has had a decade in office, and in another three years, the problem is that we need to fix will be even bigger. We can do better, but this is as good as it gets from this mob."
