The Echidna: Cheap shots as we reach the half-way mark

Scott Morrison couldn't help himself yesterday. While doing the rounds of breakfast television to talk about all the things he had endlessly talked about earlier in the week, Morrison was asked if he was looking forward to Anthony Albanese's return to the campaign trail today after a week isolating with COVID-19.

"I'm looking forward to him re-joining the campaign," said Morrison. And then, like a boxer digging one into the kidneys of his opponent after the bell, came this less-than-subtle putdown: "He's had a pretty quiet week. I remember when I was in 'iso' I had a very busy week, attending quad summits and doing all those sorts of things..."

Jim Chalmers couldn't help himself yesterday, either. Asked about Labor's scare tactic that pensioners in some marginal seats could be forced to use cashless debit cards, Labor's Treasury spokesman instead attacked the government's record of broken promises and said: "You know, the Prime Minister is a pathological liar when it comes to these issues."

Petty point-scoring, childish abuse and name-calling. We've heard it all before, of course. But as the election campaign reaches its halfway mark today you might have thought that with trust in government and public institutions at a record low and with taxpayers footing a bill of more than $300 million to stage next month's poll, those campaigning for public office might have made more of an effort this time around. You know. A little civility, perhaps? Perhaps even a smidgen of respect?

If the first half of this non-campaign has proved anything it is that both major parties have decided to dispense with any pretence of unveiling big-ticket policies and a vision for the future of the country, preferring to slug it out in a series of back-street brawls about Pacific security and cost of living issues.

So it was little wonder that the minor parties found themselves filling the vacuum yesterday. The Greens, who have been sitting steadily on about 10 percent of the primary vote in most polls, unveiled their climate and energy policy with a promise to stop new coal and gas mines going ahead while imposing levies on thermal and coking coal. Almost all coal production would be phased out by 2040, while a $19 billion guarantee would go toward maintaining wages in the industry and subsidising older workers until they retired.

Pauline Hanson's One Nation had no great policy revelations but it did put a scare into the Coalition, saying it would target left-leaning government MPs in several key seats like Bass in Tasmania by asking supporters to preference the Liberal candidate last. "The Liberals need a wake-up call and I'm more than happy to provide it," Hanson said in a retaliatory move after the Liberals decided to preference Jacqui Lambie ahead of One Nation. "They are no longer the conservative party Australians knew."

That's not quite true, of course. Both the Liberals and Labor are unfortunately exactly the same parties we have known for some time. And while they continue to behave in the manner we have seen in the past three weeks, our expectations of higher standards for those seeking public office will continue to be dashed.

HAVE YOUR SAY: How do we lift our falling levels of trust in government and politics? Is six weeks too long for an election campaign? (The Americans campaign for almost two years to win the presidency, after all). And are you more likely to vote for an independent or minor party this time around? Send us your views: echidna@theechidna.com.au

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IN CASE YOU MISSED IT:

- Australia is in the midst of another commodity price boom with the Australian Bureau of Statistics recording a leap of 18 per cent in the March quarter for goods exports, with annual exports up 46.7 per cent and demand for coal lifting export prices by 243 per cent higher than this time a year ago.

- Foreign Minister Marise Payne said Australia would continue talking with Solomon Islands despite the Pacific nation's recent security pact with China. Australia would also provide an additional $1 million for the International Criminal Court to assist its investigation into alleged war crimes by Russia during its invasion of Ukraine.

- Labor claimed Australia had experienced its worst decade for wage growth, with campaign spokesman Jason Clare saying it was due to the deliberate policy of the government. "This is not an accident that this has happened....wage growth here is lower than the United States," he said.

THEY SAID IT: "In a country well governed, poverty is something to be ashamed of. In a country badly governed, wealth is something to be ashamed of." - Confucius.

YOU SAID IT:

"The bald-faced lies in this campaign are breathtaking. I am concerned that those not engaged in politics might believe some of this. It should not be left up to the voter to decide where the truth lies." - Sarah.

"I went shopping yesterday and spent $119.77 on two bags of groceries. Nothing fancy, none of those high cost cleaning or beauty products - simply food. I don't know how families can keep affording to feed themselves." - Lee.

The blame for tax leakage should not just be on the multimillionaire companies but also on every taxpayer who cheats the system. There should be a campaign to advertise tax cheating like they do drink driving. It's not bad luck - it is a crime." - Michelle.

"Inflation has been a ticking time bomb since COVID hit and should come as no surprise. As I watched house prices rise and interest rates and mortgage deposits plummet even Blind Freddie could see this coming. Government post-election is a poisoned chalice for whoever is unlucky enough to win." - Stuart.

"Given the billions and billions of dollars pumped into many countries' economies over the last couple of years, is it any wonder there's inflation. Why is anybody surprised, especially the media. Blind Freddie could see it coming." - Richard.

"The soaring house prices here in regional Australia are causing endless grief for many whilst lining the pockets of a few. The division between those who have and those who do not has received a huge boost since COVID. I am personally aware of individuals who, despite working and paying their way their whole life, ended up on the streets when an unscrupulous landlord terminated his lease in order to upgrade the dwelling in order to obtain a far higher rent than previously was possible." - Lorna.

"As retirees, the rising cost of living has meant that we have had to cut back on discretionary spending. Fortunately we own our own home after having survived Keating's 17 per cent interest rate of the '80s. But we are concerned about our daughter's mortgage. Families today have no experience of high mortgage rates and will do it even tougher than we did. The Dad Bank has already been exhausted." - Bob.

"I'm frustrated by people who say Australia needn't do anything about our carbon emissions because we contribute less than two percent of the global output. Aside from the fact that our exports of coal and gas contribute to way more than that, they are pretty much saying 'It's too hard, so let's just give up.' Hardly the Anzac spirit." - Ken.

"We all have a right to hear the truth from politicians. We raise our children to be honest and truthful, why should those in or entering politics be exempt from that basic tenet? Businesses are required to abide by truth in advertising. Lying by the highest in the land can no longer be tolerated by voters. There must be consequences for such breaches." - Marilyn.