In an election short on excitement, Morrison and Albanese are relying on scare campaigns

Scott Morrison and Anthony Albanese on the campaign trail. ‘Pick your poison. Pensions, the NDIS, Medicare, open borders, Chinese Reds under Labor beds … it’s all getting a run.’ Composite: AAP

The contours of the race are becoming clearer: this election is being driven by fear.

The early skirmishes are done with. The artillery is in play. A numbing bombardment of negative messaging.