| No images? Click here Quote to note“Google it, mate.” Greens leader Adam Bandt was having none of the Financial Review‘s Ron Mizen trying to get him to quote the Wage Price Index during a Q&A at the National Press Club yesterday. Bandt says it’s that sort of ‘gotcha’ question that turns people off politics. Making news this morning1. Labor leader Anthony Albanese’s first week on the hustings is a "write-off", senior party figures have told The Australian (PW). But no plans to change up his campaign team are in the offing. 2. Following Labor’s rocky start, undecided voters are leaning towards the Coalition, according to focus groups run by Ipsos for the Financial Review (PW). "I find neither to be impressive, but the least unimpressive is probably Scott Morrison" is the vibe. 3. Australia’s forestry industry will receive a $219 million funding package to underwrite 73,000 jobs and set up a major research hub in northern Tassie if the Coalition’s reelected. That’s PM Scott Morrison’s focus today. 4. Analysts expect Australia’s unemployment rate to be at a 50-year low. The Bureau of Stats is expected to announce a sub-4% result for March today. 5. Warringah independent Zali Steggall isn’t impressed by her rival’s campaign team. Liberal candidate Katherine Deves has been seen on the campaign trail with Steggall’s ex-husband’s new wife, barrister Bridie Nolan. Going deeper: Keeping it tight… Why staying ‘on message’ matters in election campaignsThere was a noticeable change in Anthony Albanese’s approach to the media yesterday when he pulled up stumps after a press conference that accommodated 10 questions. Remember, he was 23 questions into his appearance on Monday when he couldn’t remember those pesky economic stats. Meanwhile, PM Scott Morrison’s first week has been characterised by much tighter press events focused on the things he wants to talk about: the economy and Albanese’s experience. ● Reports yesterday said Labor strategists had told Albanese that the long exchanges with the media needed to be reined in to help sharpen his message and minimise the risk of slip-ups. ● But the Financial Review (PW) has run some focus groups, and the vibe is that Albanese is considered "dull, disinterested, uninspiring and too negative”. Politics editor Phil Coorey says: “He remains dangerously ill-defined just over five weeks from polling day.” What it means: Filling out your public persona in the full glare of an election campaign is high stakes stuff. Switching from loose exchanges with the media to short ‘n’ sharp will drive the travelling press pack crazy, but the SMH/Age politics chief David Crowe reckons he’s doing the right thing. What’s next: Breathe out, it’s Easter, but for Albanese, it’s like an injury time-out in tennis… Labor will be glad a brief break gives them time to reset and bed in a new approach. The parties get back to the basics on the health and jobsA couple of big policy issues did get a lot of oxygen yesterday, even if they weren’t the *actual policies* the leaders were trying to talk about. ● Albanese had to defend Labor’s non-commitment to raising the unemployment benefit if it wins. JobSeeker’s currently $642 a fortnight, and Bill Shorten had all but promised an increase at the last election. But Albanese says the Budget’s condition means Labor "can’t do everything" it might have wanted. ● And Scott Morrison was pressed about the Coalition’s commitment to manufacturing after it turned out the Rheem factory he visited in Western Sydney earlier in the week was moving some jobs to Vietnam. What it means: While the PM faced a couple of curly ones on the issue of local job losses, the Coalition’s all too happy to be talking about its economic record. And for Labor, it’s trying very hard to get the focus on its agenda. For example, yesterday’s health announcement – $135 million for 50 urgent care clinics – allows them to roll out the ‘Strengthen Medicare’ signs. What’s next: Parties need to pace policy announcements over this 6-week campaign. Given that pre-poll voting opens on 9 May expect some of the bigger announcements to start flowing from next month. The lockdown party causing a massive hangover for UK PM Boris Johnson It was a pretty grim time in England in the middle of 2020. Hospitals were overrun with COVID, and a harsh lockdown wasn’t enough to stop tens of thousands of deaths. So when reports emerged in December last year that the PM had hosted and been at a few parties, including at his official residence at the height of the pandemic… Well, there was some serious outrage. ● After a long investigation, police have fined Johnson, his wife Carrie and Chancellor (aka Treasurer) Rishi Sunak for a birthday do at No 10. That gives Johnson the dubious honour of being the first serving UK PM to be penalised for breaking the law. ● The PM apologised, but the Opposition, some of his own MPs and families who lost loved ones to COVID, are calling for him to resign. What does it mean: Ukraine may prove at least a temporary lifeline for Johnson. Veteran Conservative MP Sir Roger Gale says the "domestic reckoning" for Johnson must wait while Europe’s facing a severe crisis. What’s next: There could be more fines and political pressure to come… Police are looking into 12 possibly illegal gatherings at Downing St or Parliament over 2020/21. Quick shotsGreens leader Adam Bandt says his party’s on track to hold the balance of power after the election. In his address to the National Press Club yesterday, he made his case for independent-minded voters to come the Greens’ way. There is no case for a Royal Commission into the Murdoch media empire, Anthony Albanese has told The Australian (PW). Policies to support media diversity are still on the table, however. Labor wants to “Save Our Centrelink” by keeping shopfronts open and adding hundreds of new staff. The announcement will be made by Bill Shorten in Tasmania today (PW). Former Coalition MP George Christensen is running for the unwinnable 3rd spot on One Nation’s Senate ticket in Queensland to secure more than $100,000 from taxpayers for “involuntary retirement”, Labor Senator Murray Watt says. It’s a payment he’s entitled to if he loses, but not if he retires. French President Emmanuel Macron has warned against “an escalation of rhetoric” after US President Joe Biden accused Russia of committing genocide in Ukraine yesterday. Macron says it will not help efforts to stop the war. The rate of inflation in the UK has soared to 7% in the year to March. It’s the highest rate in 30 years, driven by high fuel costs thanks to the war in Ukraine. Allison Bluck is running for the Adelaide Hills seat of Mayo, and her campaign materials say she’s the manager of the Kangaroo Island Nature Trail. Actually, that would be Alison Buck… Post of the day It’s dangerous work, this campaigning caper… What’s on todayPM Scott Morrison heads to Launceston in Tasmania for the Coalition’s forestry announcement Labor leader Anthony Albanese is campaigning in marginal seats in NSW to spruik his urgent care clinics plan 7.30am – Transport Workers Union national secretary Michael Kaine will join baggage handlers and security workers for a press conference about airport check-in delays – Sydney Airport 11.30am – ABS Data Release – Labour Force, March NOTE: Politics Today will not be published over Easter – we’ll be back in your inbox next Tuesday morning, bright and early. One thing you can do in the meantime: check your enrolment. The rolls close at 8pm local time on Monday, 18 April. *All times in AEST unless noted |
