Shorten is struggling now the easy ride is over

For three years, the Coalition’s leadership tension meant there was no real pressure on the opposition. But now the pressure’s on Bill Shorten to provide answers he’s cracking, writes Peta Credlin.

You can run but, with three weeks to go, you can’t hide.

If you change the prime minister, you change the country.

That’s why the prime ministership should be earnt, not demanded; and not handed over in a backroom coup either, because the only really respectable way to become prime minister is to be thoroughly tested in an election campaign that you ultimately win.

Scott Morrison knows that, and to his credit he’s not running away from the most searching scrutiny, including allowing TV cameras inside his church on Easter Sunday.

If he can win this election, it will make him the people’s prime minister, not just the night watchman sent in when Malcolm Turnbull was clean-bowled by his own side. And he knows that his best chance of winning over voters is to give Australians every chance to get to know him, to understand who he is, and the direction he sees for our country.

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There’s no doubt he’s still the underdog. After three years of dire polls, Morrison knows he’s got to take some risks if he’s to pull off a come-from-behind win.

The Federal Member for Grayndler Anthony Albanese and Australian Opposition Leader Bill Shorten. Picture: AAP/Darren England

For Bill Shorten, on the other hand, this was to be the “unlosable election”, and Labor are now terrified of blowing it.

For three years, the Coalition’s leadership tension meant there was no real pressure on the opposition.

No one scrutinised Labor’s massive (and uncosted) climate change commitments despite the hit on power bills and jobs.

No one scrutinised Labor’s commitment to increasing capital gains tax and abolishing negative gearing for existing property even though it’s estimated to make your house worth less and your rent cost more. Labor has largely got away with promising to raise taxes for some, while hitting self-funded retirees with double taxation.

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These policies were on the table under Turnbull but, perhaps because he half-agreed with them, he never really took the fight up to his opponents. That and the Canberra press gallery’s obsession with insider gossip and leadership chatter rather than policy substance meant that until this campaign got under way, Labor had a dream run.

Farmer Kevin West, Prime Minister Scott Morrison, Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack and Minister for Agriculture David Littleproud at a press conference on Eumungerie Farm. Picture: AAP /Mick Tsikas

But with the Coalition now united, Labor is under pressure. And what’s been exposed is Bill Shorten’s lack of policy detail. Is this why he’s running scared of a full schedule of public debates?

So far, he’s agreed to a debate next Monday, and Sky News next Friday — but he’s refusing to participate in two other debates that the Prime Minister has already agreed to do. You’ve to ask yourself what’s he got to hide?

If you want to run the country, everyone knows you must be prepared to front up. Australians will cop a lot of things in their political leaders, but gutless? That’s not one of them.

Watch Peta Credlin on Sky News, weeknights from 6pm.