Good morning. Australians have singled out the soaring cost of living as the most important issue for whichever party forms the next government. Fixing the aged care system is another top priority. And Israel’s high court has ruled to evict Palestinians in one of the single biggest expulsions in recent history.
Scott Morrison and Anthony Albanese are preparing for the final sprint to the 21 May election finish line. Labor can sniff victory but the Liberals are not giving up, hoping the final fortnight may yet see undecided voters stick with the devil they know. While national polls show Labor clearly ahead of the Coalition and in line for a comfortable victory, both sides suggest the contest could be close, with the low primary vote of each of the major parties making the result difficult to pick. Reducing the cost of living and fixing the aged care system are voters’ two top priorities, according to a Australian National University poll. The survey of more than 3,500 people found those two issues transcended the political divide, with more than 60% nominating them as top priorities, ranking ahead of issues of more concern to Coalition voters, including defence against terrorist attacks and reducing crime. A majority of voters also nominated strengthening the nation’s economy (54.4%), reducing the cost of healthcare (53.5%) and dealing with global climate change (52.8%) as top priorities for the federal government.
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