Alan Tudge still in Morrison’s cabinet

Scott Morrison has revealed that Victorian MP Alan Tudge is still in his cabinet, despite the ex-education minister last month being stood down after an independent probe.

SCOTT Morrison and Anthony Albanese have hit the road for the election campaign, with the Prime Minister setting up a six-week showdown even as he admitted Australians were “tired of politics”.

Firing the starting pistol for a May 21 election, Mr Morrison promised to serve a full three-year term if re-elected, saying his government was “not perfect” but Australians could not risk a Labor government.

The Labor leader channelled Gough Whitlam to kickstart his campaign, declaring “this is our time” and that his team would be the most experienced incoming Labor government in history.

“This election will determine whether we can come together to build a better future,” Mr Albanese said.

“We can see that opportunity but you have to vote for it.”

The Coalition starts behind in the polls, but Mr Morrison said while “others will seek it make it about me”, the election was “about the people who are watching this”.

“This election is a choice between a government that you know and that has been delivering, and a Labor opposition that you don’t,” he said.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison called the election on Sunday.

“I get it, that people are tired of politics as we go into this election, but this election and this campaign is incredibly important because there is so much at stake for Australia.”

Mr Albanese — who described himself as “very in touch with mainstream Australia” — said while the “powerful emotion” of fear would feature in the campaign, he wanted to “appeal to Australians’ sense of optimism and hope”.

In a lengthy press conference, he also confirmed his frontbench would keep their portfolios if Labor was victorious, after Mr Morrison pressured him over suggestions deputy leader Richard Marles could switch back to defence.

“I fully expect everyone to stay in their current jobs after the election,” Mr Albanese said.

Mr Morrison said he would soon anoint Greg Hunt’s replacement in the health portfolio, as he revealed Victorian Alan Tudge was “still in my cabinet”.

Morrison confirmed Victorian MP Alan Tudge remains in his Cabinet. Picture: Gary Ramage

The education minister stood down last month after an independent probe — of allegations from his former media adviser that he abused her while they were having an affair — determined he had not breached ministerial standards.

Mr Morrison said at the time that Mr Tudge was “not seeking to return to the frontbench, and I support his decision”.

Mr Albanese said it was “extraordinary” that “even when people step aside, they’ve still got the job”.

Mr Morrison flew to the Labor-held seat of Gilmore in NSW on Sunday afternoon, a key target for the Coalition as it seeks hedge against possible losses elsewhere.

Independents Monique Ryan and Zoe Daniel — who are taking on Liberals Josh Frydenberg and Tim Wilson — also launched their campaigns on Sunday, while Greens leader Adam Bandt said the minor party was aiming to be in the balance of power.

The Australian Electoral Commission expects a record number of Australians to vote early, with applications now available for postal votes and hundreds of early voting centres opening on May 9.

Commissioner Tom Rogers urged Australians to visit aec.gov.au to check they were enrolled by April 18.