PUB Test panel discussion this week was dominated by the rising cost of living and China's relationship with the Solomon Islands.
As readers will recall, our panel is a small cross-section of the community sharing their thoughts on the election campaign as it unfolds.
Bernie Wilson, a coal miner and staunch Labor voter, said the Coalition "missed a big chance this week with Albo down with COVID".
"The other bloke (Scott Morrison) has fluffed around a bit. He says a lot of stuff without actually saying anything," Mr Wilson said.
"Two things the Liberal party are hanging their hats on are economic performance and Australian security. They have basically failed in both of those this week."
While Mr Wilson - along with fellow panellists Leah Stevens and Jasmine Stuart - said China's growing influence in the pacific was a result of Scott Morrison "not giving smaller nations the time of day", Gordon Grainger disagreed.
The retiree, who in the 20 years to 2004 would spend a few weeks each year in the Solomon Islands, said China always had influence in the region and that he "abhorred the way Penny Wong was blaming the current government".
For Mr Grainger, the national debt and continued campaign promises were a major concern.
"We have just come through the worst pandemic we've had for many years, in a lot of debt, but both parties are promising money like a pair of Santa Clauses," Mr Grainger said.
"I think they are empty promises from both parties.
"If fulfilled, I have no idea how they will be paid for."
This week's campaign promises, especially in the Hunter, have focused on the future of energy generation.
Jasmine Stuart said action on climate change hasn't been a strong enough focus in the campaign so far, saying the cost of not investing in clean energy outweighs the associated debt.
"Having high debt has far less impact on people's lives when compared to natural disasters," Ms Stuart said.
"Climate change has been addressed negatively by people like Matt Canavan. This shows the conflict in the LNP and doesn't bode well for any cohesive plan."
The 21-year-old renewable energy engineering student said a better way to address the growing cost of living, which she said is a major issue, would be to scrap stage three tax cats.
"The tax cuts will cost so much money for barely any benefits," she said.
"The money could make a difference for those on welfare or make serious inroads into energy diversification.
"The people that those cost of living pressures affect the most are the ones that are left out of policy. Those people on welfare and living below the poverty line."
Leah Stevens, who said her vote will be Greens in the federal election, was the only panellist to mention last week's debate between Albanese and Morrison.
"When it came to things like talking about health care, the NDIS and aged care, they were clearly strengths for Albo," she said.
"The main thing that really irritated me was that the first debate wasn't accessible."
With Climate 200-backed "teal independents" gaining traction in some marginal Liberal seats, both major parties have ruled out forming a minority government in a so-called "teal deal".
While Mr Grainger welcomes this decision, saying he "wouldn't go anywhere near" a teal vote, Ms Stuart said the rise of independents is "a good thing".
"It forces the parties to negotiate more and to listen to what ordinary people want and question why they are turning to independent and minor parties," Ms Stuart said.
Ms Stevens added that "it's good for people".
"It might not be good for the members of parliament or senators. Could be hard work, but make it hard work."
