Federal election 2016: Labor MP David Feeney leaks Opposition asylum seeker blueprint

LABOR’S confirmation it would ­secretly adopt the same ­asylum seeker policy as the government has been leaked by bumbling MP David Feeney.

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LABOR’S campaign blueprint confirming that it would ­secretly adopt the same ­asylum seeker policy as the government, has been accidentally leaked by bumbling MP David Feeney.

It also reveals that Labor cannot rein in its spending spree until 2026.

The Opposition’s confidential “talking points” provided to the property tycoon Labor frontbencher before a television interview last night, reveal the campaign tactics that Bill Shorten intends to launch against Malcolm Turnbull.

Bumbling Labor MP David Feeney / Picture: Hollie Adams

In another episode of high farce, the Labor powerbroker left the campaign orders on a desk after a train wreck interview in which he could not answer what Labor’s policy was on the School Kids Bonus.

Labor’s policy is in fact to retain the costly handout.

But the secret notes also revealed that Labor has also ­privately admitted that it will not be able to rein in its spending over the next budget cycle.

The notes provided to Mr Feeney by a senior adviser to Bill Shorten has revealed that the Opposition will not be able to offset its budget spending within the “medium term” — which is ­before the next 10 years.

It also wrongly claims that Labor’s asylum seeker policy is the same as the Coalitions — despite an admission yesterday that Labor would repeal the government’s legislation on temporary protection visas.

The notes also told Mr Feeney to respond to questions about Labor’s campaign material being printed in Bangladesh by saying it was up to state branches of the ALP.

But on the sensitive issue of negative gearing — on which Mr Feeney has embarrassed Labor after revelations of his multi-million dollar property portfolio — he was told to say that Labor’s policy to abolish it would create a “level paying field”.

Opposition Leader Bill Shorten on the hustings in Moonee Ponds, Victoria yesterday / Picture: Kym Smith

Mr Feeney was left red faced last night when he realised the secret advice did not include the party’s policy on whether it was going to abolish the $4.5 billion Schoolkids Bonus.

When asked by Sky News political editor David Speers whether Labor would reverse the Turnbull government’s decision to cut the scheme Mr Feeney replied: “The Baby Bonus?”

Speers responded: “The Schoolkids Bonus.” Mr Feeney then conceded he did not know the answer.

Mr Feeney had earlier admitted failing to declare his property on his register of interests was the biggest own goal of the campaign: “I think unfortunately that is a trophy I managed to secure last week.”

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull talks with train driver Lindsay Rickard, after taking a ride on the Puffing Billy in the Dandenong Ranges yesterday / Picture: Lyndon Mechielsen/News Corp

Originally published as Federal election 2016: Labor MP David Feeney leaks Opposition asylum seeker blueprint