Federal election 2019: Shorten in Brisbane for Labor's official campaign launch

In an all-star campaign launch in Brisbane which also featured Chloe Shorten, Kevin Rudd and Julia Gillard, Bill Shorten has laid out Labor's priorities in government - but the Liberals have hit back, saying he still hasn't come clean about the cost of his policies. FOLLOW OUR ELECTION BLOG 

Bill Shorten has laid out the priorities of a Labor government at an all-star campaign launch in Brisbane.

Chloe Shorten gave a funny, candid heartfelt speech to introduce her husband Bill, whom she described as "a wonderful dad, a terrible dancer, and a very proud bulldog owner".

Labor  stressed the unity of its team by displaying the entire shadow cabinet on stage, and by bringing former prime ministers Julia Gillard and Kevin Rudd together.

Queensland premier Annastacia Palaszczuk introduced them along with Paul Keating  as "three great Australians, three great Labor leaders, three great prime ministers".

Shorten himself made a crack about former Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, saying his name would not be mentioned at any other launch during this election campaign.

The Liberals' campaign spokesperson slammed Mr Shorten for not providing costings for his policies.

FOLLOW OUR ELECTION COVERAGE BELOW 

Live Updates

3:05 am February 5, 2025

Simon Birmingham. Picture: AAP/David Crosling

Liberal Party election campaign spokesman Simon Birmingham has slammed Bill Shorten for delivering a 50-minute campaign launch speech with no detail of the cost it will inflict on Australian voters.

“Labor has gone through a process of endless giveaways, it seems, but is not willing to tell the Australian people what they’re going to take away from them,” he said.
The Liberal Party will hold its campaign launch next Sunday, just a week out from the May 18 election.

4:26 pm May 5, 2019

Show us your costings, Bill: Birmingham

David Mills

Simon Birmingham. Picture: AAP/David Crosling

Liberal Party election campaign spokesman Simon Birmingham has slammed Bill Shorten for delivering a 50-minute campaign launch speech with no detail of the cost it will inflict on Australian voters.

“Labor has gone through a process of endless giveaways, it seems, but is not willing to tell the Australian people what they’re going to take away from them,” he said.
The Liberal Party will hold its campaign launch next Sunday, just a week out from the May 18 election.

3:26 pm May 5, 2019

Rate cut decision towers over economic debate

David Mills

Treasurer Josh Frydenberg and his Labor counterpart Chris Bowen will face-off at the National Press Club on Monday – but the economic debate during the week will be determined by the Reserve Bank's decision on interest rates on Tuesday.

“If we do get an interest rate cut… as some are expecting, that will torpedo the government’s economic management credentials,” Mr Bowen told Sky News today.

When the cash rate was cut to a 50-year low of 2.5 per cent in August 2013, the then coalition shadow treasurer Joe Hockey said it was because the “economy is struggling”.

“If anyone thinks that the Reserve Bank acted today because the economy is doing really well, and Labor’s doing a terrific job running the economy, they’d be deluding themselves,” he said at the time.

Financial markets see a 60 per cent chance of a cut in the cash rate to 1.25 per cent from 1.5 per cent.

Speculation of a cut followed last month’s unexpectedly weak inflation report, house prices showing the biggest drop since the global financial crisis and demand for workers coming off the boil.

Mr Frydenberg is reluctant to talk about a potential rate cut, saying monetary policy decisions are up to the independent central bank.

3:05 am February 5, 2025

Bob Brown has told thousands of climate action supporters they can’t rely on divine intervention to prevent the Adani coal mine, saying “It is up to us”. The stop-Adani convoy began in Hobart just before Easter and travelled to Clermont in central Queensland before reaching its final destination on the lawns of Parliament House in Canberra today.

Bob Brown at today's event in Canberra. Picture: Rohan Thomson/AAP
Organisers estimated there were 2500 people at the rally – “a bigger crowd than Bill Shorten will face today and a bigger crowd than Scott Morrison will ever face”, Dr Brown said.

He told the crowd that neither of the big parties were willing to stop the Adani mine to secure the planet for Australia’s kids.

Dr Brown’s appearance came after a line of supporters addressed the rally, including songwriter Paul Kelly who sang ‘My Island Home’.

Paul Kelly performing at today's event. Picture: Rohan Thomson/AAP
Booker prize-winning Australian author Richard Flanagan said he was prepared to blockade the Adani site.

“I’ll be there,” he said to cheers from the crowd.

Dr Brown told reporters the convoy had been peaceful and law abiding but participants had endured hardships along the route.

“We had rocks thrown at us, we had people spat on, some people were actually physically abused.”

– Colin Brinsden, AAP

2:35 pm May 5, 2019 Highlight

Adani convoy comes to a rocking stop

David Mills

Bob Brown has told thousands of climate action supporters they can’t rely on divine intervention to prevent the Adani coal mine, saying “It is up to us”. The stop-Adani convoy began in Hobart just before Easter and travelled to Clermont in central Queensland before reaching its final destination on the lawns of Parliament House in Canberra today.

Bob Brown at today's event in Canberra. Picture: Rohan Thomson/AAP
Organisers estimated there were 2500 people at the rally – “a bigger crowd than Bill Shorten will face today and a bigger crowd than Scott Morrison will ever face”, Dr Brown said.

He told the crowd that neither of the big parties were willing to stop the Adani mine to secure the planet for Australia’s kids.

Dr Brown’s appearance came after a line of supporters addressed the rally, including songwriter Paul Kelly who sang ‘My Island Home’.

Paul Kelly performing at today's event. Picture: Rohan Thomson/AAP
Booker prize-winning Australian author Richard Flanagan said he was prepared to blockade the Adani site.

“I’ll be there,” he said to cheers from the crowd.

Dr Brown told reporters the convoy had been peaceful and law abiding but participants had endured hardships along the route.

“We had rocks thrown at us, we had people spat on, some people were actually physically abused.”

– Colin Brinsden, AAP

2:17 pm May 5, 2019

Turnbull "wants minority Labor government"

David Mills

Alex Turnbull. Picture: Hollie Adams

Former prime minister Malcolm Turnbull's son Alex has donated "six figures" to candidates and causes in this election.

Nine Newspapers' Peter FitzSimons reports that Turnbull has not donated money to the high profile campaigns of independent candidates Zali Steggall and Kerryn Phelps.

Fitzsimons quotes Alex Turnbull as saying that he hoped for "a Labor minority government with moderate independents holding the balance".

2:04 pm May 5, 2019

PM has left the building

Zoe Smith

Back to the NSW Central Coast and the PM has also finished his address, which lasted 30 minutes. 

People were on their feet cheering as the Prime Minister left the room. 

– Domanii Cameron

3:05 am February 5, 2025

Bill Shorten and his wife Chloe have left the stage, with the crowd giving the Opposition Leader a standing ovation and chanting his name as they left.

Here's how he finished his speech:

"In the 13 days remaining, the choice for our country and our message to the people is as vital and as simple as this," he said. "If you want better hospitals and schools, not more cuts – vote Labor.

"If you want unity and stability, not three more years of chaos – vote Labor. And if you want to tackle the cost of living and get wages moving, not more tax loopholes for the well off and the wealthy – vote Labor.

"If you want real action on climate change, not more chaos and denial – vote Labor. So today, this is our case for change. We say, proudly, to all Australians – end the chaos, vote Labor.

"Vote for real change. Vote Labor. Vote for your families' interest. Vote Labor.

"Vote for your future – vote Labor. And for a fair go for all Australians, wherever they live, however much they have, vote Labor."

1:44 pm May 5, 2019 Highlight

'Vote for real change': Shorten wraps up speech

Zoe Smith

Bill Shorten and his wife Chloe have left the stage, with the crowd giving the Opposition Leader a standing ovation and chanting his name as they left.

Here's how he finished his speech:

"In the 13 days remaining, the choice for our country and our message to the people is as vital and as simple as this," he said. "If you want better hospitals and schools, not more cuts – vote Labor.

"If you want unity and stability, not three more years of chaos – vote Labor. And if you want to tackle the cost of living and get wages moving, not more tax loopholes for the well off and the wealthy – vote Labor.

"If you want real action on climate change, not more chaos and denial – vote Labor. So today, this is our case for change. We say, proudly, to all Australians – end the chaos, vote Labor.

"Vote for real change. Vote Labor. Vote for your families' interest. Vote Labor.

"Vote for your future – vote Labor. And for a fair go for all Australians, wherever they live, however much they have, vote Labor."

1:30 pm May 5, 2019

Morrison talking tax in Dobell

David Mills

Keeping more money in your pocket is one of the pitches Scott Morrison is making at a rally in the seat of Dobell on the NSW Central Coast. 

“I don’t want to tax anyone more,” he said. 

“The Liberal Party believes … your money is better off in your hands, because you earned it," he said.

“We’re saying you should keep it. We believe the choices you make with your money are the better choices. At this election we have to stop the Labor Party from taking your choices away.”

– Domanii Cameron