Ferries and celebrities as pollies dash to win the west
Major parties have focused their attention on the west with ferry rides and celebrity appearances kicking off another day of campaigning.
political candidates
No town is too far in Nationals’ fight for the regions
Nationals Leader David Littleproud wants to leave a legacy etched across regional Australia as a week-long tour provides glimpses into where it can happen.
Towering presence, missing minister as PM visits reef
One of Labor's tallest candidates has made a splash at the prime minister's Great Barrier Reef stop, while the spectre of a missing minister haunted the event.
Redundancy drive to cut public jobs in coalition plan
The coalition has shifted on its plan to save billions by shrinking the public service, floating the prospect of voluntary redundancies for the first time.
Emotions high as iconic town waltzes into history books
The small outback town of Winton has a history far outweighing its size, and residents have welcomed new hope following a landmark funding commitment.
Flood-stricken town pledges survival as locals unite
A town devastated by floods that left hundreds of people homeless is pleading not to be forgotten as the news cycle moves on during an election campaign.
US trade war may force all-out assault with rate cuts
An escalating trade war has slashed the odds of interest rate cuts for Australian mortgage-holders, including a potential mega cut weeks after the election.
Dutton approval rating plunges to worst level since becoming opposition leader
After a week of zipping across the nation in pursuit of votes, Anthony Albanese and Peter Dutton have crossed paths on the campaign trail for the first time.
Port becomes political football but is ‘not for sale’
A major port leased to a Chinese company is in the sights of a takeover as the coalition and Labor flag plans for it to be brought back into Australian hands.
Dutton flips on work-from-home ban to salvage support
Peter Dutton has conceded plans to stop public servants from working at home were a mistake and ditched the proposal as he tries to regain lost ground.
No child’s play for Nationals in regional battleground
National Party leader David Littleproud has kicked off a renewed battle to win back a key coalition seat, promising to even the score in regional Australia.
Greens flag new condition in event of a hung parliament
A minority party will push for one per cent of the federal budget to be spent on "restoring" nature if the election produces a hung parliament.
Housing and crime spearhead Dutton’s pitch in key seats
Community safety is a key tenet of Peter Dutton's pitch to voters as he positions himself as a strong leader in contrast to a prime minister he brands as weak.
‘Not the act of a friend’: PM, Dutton decry US tariffs
Donald Trump's sweeping tariffs have "no basis in logic", Anthony Albanese says, as Peter Dutton accuses the prime minister of neglecting the US relationship.
PM derides ‘aggro’ Dutton as US tariff threat looms
Anthony Albanese and Peter Dutton are talking up their credentials for dealing with Donald Trump as they brace for potentially far-reaching American tariffs.
‘Doing it for them’: independent aiming to oust Dutton
A "divisive" Peter Dutton is more interested in clinching the nation's top job than working for his electorate, says an independent looking to unseat him.
Managing Trump, tariffs looms large in bid for votes
Australia's political leaders say biosecurity and medicines are not up for debate in response to tariffs set to be announced by US President Donald Trump
Dutton’s airport link plan branded ‘April Fools’ joke’
A federal coalition plan to "redirect" funding for a controversial Melbourne rail loop project to an airport link has been slammed by state Labor.
Albanese takes fight to Dutton in his own backyard
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has taken the election fight to Peter Dutton's home turf, kicking off his campaign in the opposition leader's electorate.
PM fires Medicare shots as opposition digs in on energy
Health care and power bill promises have dominated day one of the federal election campaign as political leaders converged on the Sunshine State.
Libs home in on small business for power bill election
Australians are being asked to trust the coalition to reduce energy bills and supercharge business as the opposition leader attacks Labor over a broken promise.
‘Bad for your mental health’: MPs downplay polls trend
Labor could be in the box seat to form the next government, according to three major opinion polls, but both major parties are playing down their significance.
Health top of mind as PM takes battle to the wild west
Health and Australia's west remain top priorities for Labor as Anthony Albanese visits WA for the 30th time as prime minister.
Dutton becomes the Hunter as he attacks key coast seats
Two of Labor's blue-collar, coal mining seats are in Peter Dutton's sights as he uses his nuclear and gas policies to sell his key pledge of cheaper bills.
Greens warn major parties as minority government looms
Minority government is coming and the major parties ought to prepare, Greens leader Adam Bandt says as more voters turn to crossbenchers.
Leaders eyeball each other as campaign kicks off
The election campaign is finally official - and Anthony Albanese and Peter Dutton are wasting no time telling voters why they should vote for their parties.
Australians to cast federal election vote on May 3
Australians will cast their ballot on May 3, with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese ending months of speculation about the timing of the next federal election.
Prime minister keen to pop coalition ‘thought bubbles’
Unofficial campaigning has sparked backed up with the PM cradling babies on one side of the country and opposition leader talking gardens on the other.
PM poll pledge to slash cost of hundreds of medicines
The maximum price of many prescription medicines will be reduced to $25 as part of Labor's re-election plan to bring down healthcare costs.
Chronic patients get most relief in medicine cost cut
Patients could save almost $7 on each prescription as the government promises to make medicines cheaper in a move supported by the coalition.
Pauline Hanson eyes cuts on grog tax, climate spending
Pauline Hanson is taking aim at climate change spending, public servants and First Nations agencies in a bid to address the cost of living.