| No images? Click here Quote to note“When we talk about zero-Covid, we don’t think that it’s sustainable, considering the behaviour of the virus now and what we anticipate in the future.” Said World Health Organization boss Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus of China’s policy to crush every coronavirus outbreak. The statement was blocked on China’s internet as even harsher restrictions on food deliveries and seeking medical attention were introduced in parts of Shanghai yesterday. The city reported 3,947 cases on Monday and 11 deaths. Making news this morning1. According to News Corp’s new YouGov MPR poll (PW), Labor will win 80 of the House of Representatives 151 seats giving it a 5 seat majority. The Coalition is on track to claim 63 seats (-13), the independents pick up 7 (+2), and the Greens retain one seat. This poll has a wide margin of error, so keep your wits about you… 2. The third and final leader’s debate delivered a clean-sweep to Labor leader Anthony Albanese. Seven delivered a calmer format compared to Nine’s raucous affair on Sunday night. 3. Labor won’t formally ask the Fair Work Commission to grant Australia’s lowest-paid workers a 5.1% pay rise despite supporting the increase. PM Scott Morrison yesterday called Albanese a “loose unit on the economy”, claiming an increase of that magnitude would be inflationary. 4. China’s ambassador to Australia Xiao Qian says Beijing’s growing presence in the Pacific is not a threat to Australia’s security. In the Financial Review today, he says our nations need to “properly handle our differences” (PW). 5. UK PM Boris Johnson has signed security declarations with Sweden and Finland, pledging support should they come under attack. The Nordic nations, which have a long history of neutrality, are looking into joining NATO after conflict returned to Europe this year. Going deeper: Debate Part IIIThe third time wasn’t a charm for PM Scott Morrison with Seven’s pub panel of 160 undecided voters giving the final debate to Anthony Albanese. The challenger got 50% of them over to his side, Morrison got 34% off the fence in his favour leaving 16% still unsure about who they will back on 21 May. ● The main topics covered were the dominant themes of the campaign so far – the cost of living, wages growth, an integrity commission, climate change and childcare. ● Hot off the press was confirmation from Morrison that Education Minister Alan Tudge would return to the portfolio and cabinet if the Coalition is re-elected after being benched when allegations of abuse were made by his former press secretary. ● And we’ve been waiting for it all election – the pair were asked to say something nice about each other. Albanese said he appreciated Morrison’s “absolute commitment” to Australia and more mental health funding. Morrison said he admired that Albanese “has never forgot where he has come from” – but there was a dig. “I just don’t believe that he has been able to demonstrate that he is able to get across the detail to do this job,” he said. What it means: Fewer than 30% of the voting population will have tuned in to any of the debates as mainstream media takes a backseat to the internet (PW) as a news source on the election. So let’s see how the campaign unfolds online in the coming days. What’s next: It’s not over yet… Those following the 2019 campaign careful note that there were a lot of minds made up in the last 10 days – and a drift away from Labor. We’re in that countdown window now. Wage rise barney escalates Morrison says Albanese is a "loose unit" who either does not understand the economy, or he’s pulling the wool over voters’ eyes. Albanese says Morrison is being “loose with the truth” and says his government has deliberately driven down wages. Putting the character assessments aside, the escalating spat over Labor’s support for a minimum wage rise equivalent to the headline inflation rate of 5.1% has put the Fair Work Commission’s role in setting the minimum wage in the spotlight. ● The Fair Work Commission is taking submissions on the minimum wage ahead of a decision expected in June. The outcome will determine rates affecting 2 million Australians who are paid the current minimum of $20.33/hour, or their wages are linked to the minimum by a higher industry award. ● Morrison says it’s inappropriate to compromise the independence of the Fair Work Commission by nominating a number. ● Albanese says he hasn’t done that – and it’s not controversial to advocate for wages growth to match or overtake inflation, otherwise people’s standard of living will go backwards. What it means: Morrison looks to be increasingly frustrated that the Coalition’s attacks on Albanese’s fitness to take the reins of the economy don’t seem to be advancing their standing with voters. Hence the cut-through language yesterday… What’s next: Team Morrison and the business sector are screaming that Albanese’s proposal is inflationary. But more broadly, we can expect to hear a lot more from the Coalition about economic management as we turn the corner towards home/21 May. Barnaby Joyce at the National Press Club It’s a federal election tradition – the Nationals leader addresses the National Press Club accompanied by their trusty wombat. The wombat might have needed some patching up – as did leader Barnaby Joyce after he sprung a leak with a blood nose mid-address – but he unleashed some classic zingers. ● Asked about Morrison’s poor standing with voters, he said: "You don’t have to like your dentist. It’s not important. You just have to believe they are competent." ● Why should women support the Coalition? Joyce says they are well represented in the 2 parties’ ranks. “If we had a quota system in the Senate, we would need more blokes because it’s 80% women." And in the Morrison cabinet: "It’s about 50-50 now in women. We are making sure all the time we do a better job." What does it mean: It wasn’t all about the snappy lines… Joyce also covered China, climate, mining, and the independents. On the last of those, he says voters deserve to know who they would support if there’s a hung parliament. What’s next: Joyce has some campaigning to do… The Nats’ most marginal seat is in Flynn in Queensland, based around Gladstone. The sitting MP Ken O’Dowd is retiring – his 8.7% margin was bolstered by an anti-Labor swing in 2019. And expect to see him in Page in northern NSW. It’s based around Lismore, which has been smashed by floods twice this year. Quick shotsReid MP Fiona Martin (Liberal 3.2%) denies mixing up Labor candidate Sally Sitou with another Asian Australian political aspirant. In a debate on 2GB, Martin said Sitou had been "kicked out of Fowler" by lower house aspirant Kristina Keneally, which happened to Vietnamese Australian lawyer Tu Le. Meanwhile, former Australian of the Year Professor Pat McGorry says Martin used his image and selectively quoted him in an ad that praised her as an advocate for mental health services without his knowledge. Martin has canned the ad. It’s WA’s turn to deliver a budget – and there’s expected to be a surplus of circa $6-7 billion. The West Australian reports (PW) that it will help fund a $400 credit to help households pay increasing power costs. NT independent member Robyn Lambley reckons Chief Minister Michael Gunner might have jumped before an anti-corruption investment heats up. Acting Chief Minister Nicole Manison says he’s leaving for family reasons. Juan Orlando Hernández, the president of Honduras until January, has pleaded not guilty to drugs and weapons charges in a court in New York. The former leader says disgruntled drug traffickers are trying to frame him. Leonid Kravchuk, the first president of Ukraine after the collapse of the Soviet Union, has died at 88yo. He once remarked that Ukraine was a "monkey with a grenade" after finding itself politically and economically weak but possessing a massive nuclear arsenal that was ultimately surrendered to Russia. PM Morrison was called a ‘mongrel’ by a heckler in Newcastle yesterday – quickly followed by an apology, sort of… “I wanted to offer him a hand of apology for calling him a mongrel but I stand by what I said,” the man told the media pack. Chart of the dayUS annual inflation rate  New figures out last night show inflation in the US rose at a slower rate in April – but it remains near a 4-decade high and was stronger than forecast. That’s seen President Joe Biden declaring it his top domestic priority – and in response, he might take a bit of the pressure off China by removing tariffs on certain imports. “We’re discussing that right now,” Biden said. What’s on todayPM Scott Morrison and Labor leader Anthony Albanese start the day in Sydney after last night’s debate The Western Australian Government delivers the budget ABS Data Release – Overseas Arrivals and Departures, March; Building Approvals, March (additional information) Bill Shorten, Labor spokesman for Government Services, turns 55yo *All times in AEST unless noted Today’s quote for the subject line comes from Dante Gabriel Rossetti, an English poet and artist. |
