FEDERAL ELECTION CAMPAIGN: DAY 23
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WHERE THE LEADERS CAMPAIGNED
* Prime Minister Scott Morrison: Melbourne (Dunkley, Chisholm)
* Labor leader Anthony Albanese: NSW central coast (Robertson)
WHAT THE COALITION WANTED TO TALK ABOUT
* The economic shield provided by the government during the pandemic and one-off payments to help with cost of living.
* Increased funding for rural health care to support the next generation of country doctors and improve training and treatment in regional Australia.
WHAT LABOR WANTED TO TALK ABOUT
* Labor's Help to Buy housing scheme. Under the plan, 10,000 Australians would be eligible for a government equity contribution of as much as 40 per cent of the purchase price of a new home and up to 30 per cent for an existing dwelling.
* Accusing the government of failing to address long-term inflationary pressures amid cash rate hikes.
WHAT MADE NEWS
* The Reserve Bank raised the cash rate by 0.25 percentage points to 0.35 per cent following Tuesday's monthly board meeting. It is the RBA's first rate increase in 12 years and comes after the rate was held at a record low 0.1 per cent since November 2020.
* Tech billionaire Mike Cannon-Brookes has taken an 11.28 per cent stake in AGL Energy, via his private investment vehicle, to become its largest shareholder.
* The federal government doubled down on its criticism of the NSW independent anti-corruption watchdog after two commissioners called its detractors "buffoons". Finance Minister Simon Birmingham stood by Mr Morrison's comments, calling the commission a "star chamber" designed to grab headlines.
WHAT THE POLLS SAY
* Roy Morgan poll gives Labor a 55.5-44.5 two-party preferred lead over the coalition, with primary support level on 35 per cent.
* On a state basis, the Morgan poll shows the following two-party preferred leading party: NSW (Labor 56 per cent), Victoria (Labor 63.5 per cent), Queensland (LNP 56.5 per cent), WA (LNP 51 per cent), SA (Labor 62.5 per cent), Tasmania (Labor 57.5 per cent).
* Guardian-Essential poll gives Labor 49 per cent of the two-party "plus" measure, with the coalition on 45 per cent, and the remaining six per cent undecided.
WHAT THEY SAID:
"You're hard pressed to get between (Morrison) and a camera and microphone when things are going well but when things get tough, or the news isn't so good, it's always someone else's fault."
- Labor campaign spokeswoman Katy Gallagher on the prime minister being responsible for the cost of living crisis.
"The thing about our federation is we've all got to take responsibility for the things we do."
- Mr Morrison on state governments needing to lift their investment in public hospitals.
TWEETED:
"Rates are up, which means property speculators are about to hit renters again. The game is rigged and the rich always win. It's time to fix it."
- Greens senator Nick McKim.
Australian Associated Press
