PM calls on Dutton to outline where he would cut migration
Anthony Albaneseargued thatPeter Duttonhas the “gold and silver medal for the most number of visas that have been issued by any migration minister since Federation.”
On rising migration numbers, the PM said this was “always going to go up when the borders opened after Covid, because Australian citizens were coming home.”
He said that Dutton needs to “identify which visa categories are going to be restricted in what he says in getting the numbers down, because we haven’t heard that during the campaign – like we haven’t heard any other detail behind the Coalition’s policies.”
PM again rules out changes to negative gearing
Peter Duttonhas accused Labor of wanting to end negative gearing.Anthony Albaneseresponded:
Albanese went on, reiterating that “we won’t be making the changes that you suggest, because we’re concerned that it would have a negative impact on supply and would push up rents.”
Dutton and Albanese on housing
Moving to housing,Anthony Albanesehas been asked if a young couple on an average wage would really be able to afford to buy a home if prices keep increasing as they currently are?
The PM said “yes, they will” – pointing to Labor’s proposal to reduce upfront payments to a 5% deposit:
He also pointed to “reserving 100,000 homes for first-home buyers” as making a difference.
Peter Duttonalso responded, touting his super for housing policy and saying “if we had this policy in place, say five years ago, there would have been the option for young Australians to be in home ownership territory.”
He again blamed migration for the housing crisis, saying:
Dutton read question from struggling single mother about what he is offering
Peter Duttonwas read a question from a single mum on minimum wage, who often skips meals, can barely cover rent and “sees nothing in what you’re putting forward that helps her”.
Responding, the opposition leader pointed to the fuel excise, tax cut and the Coalition’s gas policy “that has a flow on impact right across the economy”.
Anthony Albanesealso weighed in and argued that “a number of things that Mr Dutton is committing to are things that are happening already”.
PM defends decision not to means test energy rebate
Anthony Albanesehas been asked why Labor doesn’t means test its extended power rebate. The PM said this was because “of the way the rebate works”:
Dutton defends fuel excise policy amid falling petrol prices
Peter Duttonwas asked about the fact global oil prices have plummeted since Donald Trump’s tariffs, including petrol prices – so is it still the best use of taxpayer dollars to halve the fuel excise?
He said it was, because “it goes across the economy.”
But is this still the key cost of living concern for voters? Dutton responded:
PM questioned on whether voters are better off under Labor
Phil Cooreyhas now askedAnthony Albanesewhy voters should trust him, after Labor promised three years ago that voters would be better off under them.
The PM said he understands “many people are doing it tough” and that’s why the government has delivered “significant cost of living relief”:
He went on to list a number of initiatives – cheaper childcare, fee free Tafe, energy bill relief, the stage-three tax cuts – and said:
What does Dutton say about Trump comparisons?
The AFR’sPhil Cooreyhas askedPeter Duttonwhat he says to voters who think he is a lightweight version of US presidentDonald Trump.
The opposition leader said he had been in parliament since 2001, watching seven PMs in total and that his biggest influences areJohn HowardandPeter Costello:
Leaders disagree overCoalitioncuts in 2014
Anthony Albaneseis now taking aim at the Coalition for making $50bn in cuts in 2014, saying:
Peter Duttonsaid the PM “you couldn’t lie straight in bed”, and the PM accused him of “lying” as a “sign of desperation.” Albanese added:
The moderator then moved the leaders onto the next topic.
Leaders trade barbs over Medicare
Both leaders have been asked about a “consistent” between the two – accusing the other of lying.
Peter Duttonresponded first, pointing to the “Mediscare campaign” and arguing bulk billing has “plummeted under this prime minister”:
Anthony Albaneserejected this, touting Labor’s record on Medicare and pointing to the Coalition’s nuclear energy policy, saying:
Asked if he would stake his prime ministership on bulk billing rates going up, the PM responded, “absolutely”.
Dutton responds to Coalition’s falling numbers in the polls
Peter Duttonhas been asked how he rates the Coalition’s performance in the campaign so far, amid the latest polling results which show Labor gaining ground and breaking out ahead.
The opposition leader said that “theLabor partyspent $20m throwing mud and negative ads, and that has an impact, and I get that”: