While Anthony Albanese is still feeling the impacts of his "gaffe" when he failed his day-one spot quiz on the unemployment and official cash rates, another party leader is taking a different approach.
The Greens' Adam Bandt took to the National Press Club to lay out his party's campaign to get dental fully included in medicare by taxing billionaires.
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And he wasn't up for any gotcha questions today.
When asked about the current wage price index (his speech also had been referring to the issues of slow wage growth), he had a pretty blunt response.
"Well, Google it, mate," he said.
"... If you want to know why people are turning off politics, it's because what happens when you have an election that increasingly becomes this basic fact-checking exercise between a government that deserves to be turfed out and an opposition that's got no vision."
Prime Minister Scott Morrison was facing questions about his choice of venue to launch his job creation program yesterday.
ACM revealed the factory he visited in Sydney's west is set to lay off 100 Australian employees.
He was still brushing off questions about it this afternoon when he headed to Geelong to promote an upgrade to Viva Energy's refinery.
The upgrade is part of a $250 million investment to shore up Australia's domestic fuel stocks amid global disruptions. The refinery sits near the marginal seat of Corangamite, which Labor holds by 1 per cent.
Morrison also had an eventful evening last night at a media drinks event, heckled by a Labor supporter who claimed he was detained after shouting at the PM and recording it.
In what was likely another surprise for the PM, rogue former Liberal-National Party MP George Christensen had a bit of a change of heart, and is now running for election again. Only this time he'll be standing for One Nation.
At third on the ballot, it's an incredibly long shot that Christensen will be elected - but it's a move that could earn him a six-figure taxpayer-funded payout.
According to parliamentary guidelines - you can Google those, too - if Christensen is defeated, he will be eligible for a payment of $105,600, or six months' salary as a resettlement allowance, just for his name appearing on the ballot.
Nationals senator Matt Canavan was angry, saying Christensen's defection is "cowardly" while Deputy PM Barnaby Joyce and Nationals MP David Littleproud weren't angry. They were just "disappointed".
Meanwhile, Labor's Albanese held the first official rally of the campaign in Melbourne, announcing $135 million to trial Medicare Urgent Care Clinics in a bid to ease hospital pressure.
He also pledged more health support services for nurses and midwives who have been "burned out" by COVID-19.
And no doubt was glad the gotchas were largely headed elsewhere today.
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THE NEWS YOU NEED TO KNOW:
- 'Burned out': Albanese pledges support service for under pressure nurses
- Wine and chocolate: a match made in heaven this Easter
- Climate change activists block Sydney Harbour Bridge at peak hour
- Regional Australia's cheapest, most expensive places to rent revealed
- Scott Morrison brushes off questions about Rheem visit
- 'I saw it all': Woman's wildly different version of Easter Show seatbelt shocker
- Don't forget influenza', have the jab, says Dr Jana Pittman
- Easter seafood tips from Shane's Seafood
Soofia Tariq
Soofia joined the Canberra Times in 2022 as the cadet. She previously interned and was an audio producer at The Guardian Australia. She has also worked at 2SER Radio and City Hub Sydney. Her email is soofia.tariq@canberratimes.com.au
Soofia joined the Canberra Times in 2022 as the cadet. She previously interned and was an audio producer at The Guardian Australia. She has also worked at 2SER Radio and City Hub Sydney. Her email is soofia.tariq@canberratimes.com.au
