Federal election 2022 live: Lisa Wilkinson asks ‘how can anyone believe’ Libs after broken ICAC promise
Lisa Wilkinson has ripped into the Liberal Party’s campaign spokeswoman over Scott Morrison’s broken promise to create a federal corruption watchdog.
Welcome to day four of the federal election campaign, with Australians set to head to the polls on May 21.
Our reporters are on the road with the Prime Minister and Opposition leader bringing you the latest updates from the election trail. You can find yesterday’s blog here.
‘How can they believe you?’: Lisa rips Ruston
Lisa Wilkinson has ripped into the Liberal Party’s campaign spokeswoman over Scott Morrison’s broken promise to create a federal corruption watchdog.
The Prime Minister was grilled today on whether Australians would doubt his ability to follow through on his promises in this campaign, given his failure to deliver on a key promise from the last one.
Appearing on The Project to cap off a tumultuous first week of the campaign, Social Services Minister Anne Ruston denied any promise had been broken.
“Well, I don’t believe that the key election promise has been broken,” she said.
“But you haven’t delivered on that promise, Minister,” Wilkinson said.
“We have a very comprehensive piece of legislation that has been out, that people have been aware of, for over a year and we would be more than happy to bring that legislation into the parliament but we will not be bringing it in to see it destroyed by those people that would seek not to support it,” Ms Ruston replied.
“So the offer is on the table to the Labor Party that we are more than happy to bring in a fully worked up legislation to introduce the Commonwealth Integrity Commission into the parliament and we would be very pleased to do so with their support.”
Wilkinson suggested it was the “job of the government to put forward workable legislation”.
“Well, we have a piece of legislation and it’s out there for everybody to see,” Ms Ruston said.
“It’s fully detailed it’s extremely comprehensive. The Labor Party have been wandering around with ... a couple of pages of fluff in relation to what they’re proposing. What we’re saying to the Australian public is that we have a piece of legislation that will deliver the ICAC or the Commonwealth Integrity Commission that was promised and we would look forward to bringing it forward when the Labor Party is prepared to support it.”
Wilkinson replied, “But the very definite problem you have, and that was shown today with the many, many questions that were put forward to the various ministers who were out on the hustings, is that it is believed that you broke this promise and so voters are looking at the government and thinking, ‘You can’t deliver on the promises that you put forward’, so how can they believe what you’re putting out in this election?”
But Ms Ruston insisted that “we have not broken out promise” and the Coalition was “absolutely committed” to its legislation.
“We are not going to introduce something into the parliament that is going to fail and at the moment, without the support of the necessary numbers in the parliament, we would not be able to get that legislation through,” she said.
Wilkinson asked, “So will you make sure it’s done in the next term, if you are re-elected?”
Ms Ruston said, “Well, obviously, you know, the matter would have to be assessed when we have a look at the make-up of the next parliament.”
“Oh,” Wilkson said.
The employment figure has remained steady at 4% today, but Labor says the figure hides a more significant problem; underemployment. Social Services Minister @Anne_Ruston helps dissect the statistics. #TheProjectTVpic.twitter.com/DNeiGMCV1Y
— The Project (@theprojecttv) April 14, 2022
‘Terrible car accident’: ScoMo issues statement
Scott Morrison has put out a statement about this afternoon’s car crash in Tasmania involving his security detail.
“Earlier this afternoon two of my protective detail, along with two Tasmanian police officers were involved in a terrible car accident, while they were supporting my visit to Northern Tasmania,” the Prime Minister said.
“I am relieved they have all been safely transferred to hospital where they are receiving care.
“Our police do an amazing job in keeping us all safe. I am incredibly grateful to all the police who look after me and my family.
“We have all got to know each other over the years. They are selfless, professional and incredibly generous. I hope to hear further good news about their condition.
“Jen and I also send our thanks, love and best wishes to them and their families.”
PM’s security car runs off the road
Scott Morrison’s security detail has been involved in a two-vehicle accident near Elizabeth Town, Tasmania, with four police officers taken to hospital.
The security car came off the road and rolled several times.
“The PM is not injured and was not involved,” the Prime Minister’s office said in a statement.
“Two Tasmanian Police officers and two Federal Police officers from the PM’s security detail who were in the follow vehicle have been taken to hospital from the scene for further assessment. All officers were conscious when transferred. The driver of the other vehicle was not injured.
“Family members of the officers have been contacted and are being kept informed of their condition.
“The PM is always extremely grateful for the protection provided by his security team and extends his best wishes for their recovery and to their families.
“This afternoon’s event has been cancelled.”
The accident occurred on the Bass Highway between Launceston and Devonport.
Tasmania Police are investigating.
“The crash involved an unmarked police car and a Mitsubishi Triton, which were both travelling west between Deloraine and Latrobe,” Tasmania Police said in a statement.
“Circumstances surrounding the crash are being investigated, however initial enquiries indicate that the Triton has collided with the rear of the police vehicle, while attempting to merge.
“Four police officers (a man and a woman from AFP, and two men from Tasmania Police) received non-life-threatening injuries, after their vehicle rolled down an embankment.
“As is normal process for a crash involving police, the Tasmania Police Professional Standards Unit has been advised and will monitor the investigation.
“Anyone who witnessed the crash is asked to contact police on 131 444. Dashcam or other footage can be submitted via the Evidence Portal.”
Prime Minister Scott Morrison arrives at Burnie Airport to board his plane, having cancelled his last campaign event of the day after the crash involving his security detail pic.twitter.com/mwWwe5l9mu
— Sam Clench (@SamClench) April 14, 2022
First debate confirmed for next Wednesday
The first leader’s debate of the federal election will take place next Wednesday, April 20.
The “people’s forum” in Brisbane, hosted by Sky News and the Courier-Mail, will see Scott Morrison and Anthony Albanese “face the questions of 100 undecided voters”, wrote Sky News chief anchor Kieran Gilbert, who will moderate the forum.
BREAKING: the first debate of the campaign has been confirmed on Wednesday April 20.
— Kieran Gilbert (@Kieran_Gilbert) April 14, 2022
The Sky News/ Courier Mail people's forum in Brisbane.
Scott Morrison & Anthony Albanese will face the questions of 100 undecided voters.
I'll be moderating the forum in Brisbane. #auspol
Albo stuns with ‘very dangerous’ promise
Anthony Albanese has left many stunned by his comments on boats and people smugglers this morning, with his claims branded “very dangerous”.
“We’ll turn boats back. Turning boats back means that you don’t need offshore detention,” he told reporters in Cessnock on Thursday.
Defence Minister Peter Dutton was asked about the comments on 2GB and, at first, didn’t believe the Labor Leader had made such a statement.
“I doubt that he said that, Ray,” Mr Dutton said, to which Hadley asked if thought he was “making it up”.
“I haven’t seen that but that would be a remarkable departure from the Labor Party policy. If that is what he has said, that would be a weakening of the policy that Julia Gillard had,” Mr Dutton said.
“If Anthony Albanese said that now, you would expect the people smugglers to be jumping for joy … in Indonesia, Sri Lanka and Vietnam because that is actually a very dangerous statement has made this morning.
“You can’t just turn people around. I am really stunned by that, I have got to say.
“I think this is a really significant watershed moment for them.”
Prime Minister Scott Morrison also hit out at Mr Albanese, accusing him of being “weathervane” on border protection policies.
“Anthony Albanese has had every position on border protection,” Mr Morrison said.
“He has supported everything he has opposed, and he has opposed everything that he has supported. We have seen that across so many issues. I am not surprised that Australians are confused about what he stands for.”
Labor would keep offshore detention
Anthony Albanese elaborated on his position on boat turnbacks and offshore detention during a door stop interview earlier.
Asked if he wanted to remove offshore processing, the Labor leader said “of course not”.
“It was established in 2013 when I was the Deputy Prime Minister,” he said.
“I was asked today about boat turnbacks. Our position is clear. We continue to support them. And the thing about the government is that they waited a long, long period of time before they had finally taken up the deal that was done between Julia Gillard and John Key a long time ago for New Zealand settlement from people from offshore. That should have been taken up a long time ago.”
Mr Albanese reiterated his position that by turning back boats, offshore detention wasn’t needed.
“Well, that’s the preference,” he said.
“At the moment, there aren’t people who have gone into offshore detention in recent times because the boats have been turned back. It’s been effective.”
Asked again if Labor would keep offshore detention, Mr Albanese said “yes”.
Tame, Szubanski fire up over Liberal candidate
Grace Tame and Magda Szubanski have kicked off at Scott Morrison’s “captain’s pick” for the seat of Warringah, Katherine Deves over comments she made on gender issues.
Deves has already been forced to apologise after news.com.au revealed she had described trans kids as “surgically mutilated and sterilised”.
Today it was reported by The Guardian that Deves described Wear it Purple Day – a day billed as celebrating diversity – as a “grooming tactic” promoting “extreme body modification” on a now-deleted website.
Tweeting in reaction to the revelations, former Australian of the Year Grace Tame said the statements from Deves were “deeply insulting”.
That is simply untrue.
— Grace Tame (@TamePunk) April 13, 2022
This kind of insidious hatred is shamefully cruel.
It is deliberate and tactical. It is designed to ignite fear and division.
It has to stop.
LGBT rights are human rights.
“Not only is this deeply insulting to the LGBT community, it trivialises very real experiences of one of the most evil forms of calculated psychological violence,” she said.
Magda Szubanski meanwhile said the statements were “downright cruel”.
“The comments from Deves are ignorant as well as distinctly lacking in compassion and common sense. In fact, let’s just say it … they’re downright cruel,” she said.
I’m careful not to overuse the term ‘homophobic’…but sometimes it’s the only word that fits
— Magda Szubanski AO (@MagdaSzubanski) April 13, 2022
Morrison’s hand-picked
“NSW Liberal candidate described campaign supporting LGBT youth as ‘grooming tactic’ used by ‘gender extremists’†https://t.co/e7nhtizsB4
Enrolment deadline approaching
The federal election may still be five weeks away, but a crucial deadline is looming for those who want a say on the future of the country.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison at the weekend finally called a May 21 poll – ending months of speculation – but the announcement is still likely to have triggered a flurry of nerves for those who have moved house, or lost track of all known time and space over the past couple of years.
Have no fear: There’s still time to check your details and make sure you’re properly enrolled.
But that window is getting narrower.
The Australian Electoral Commission says you have until 8pm local time on Monday, April 18 to be eligible to vote.
That is indeed Easter Monday – meaning those mailing in their form have likely already missed the deadline – but the AEC has assured people they will be working public holidays to make sure people will not miss the chance to register online.
Click here for more details on how to enrol.
– Alex Druce
‘He’s the hero’: PM praises young man
During a visit to Longford RSL Memorial Club, in the seat of Lyons, Scott Morrison told the story of a young local called Daniel who had used his Covid support payments to start a business and get himself off unemployment benefits.
Mr Morrison met Daniel at a local footy game a few weeks ago.
“Daniel is a young bloke who was on JobSeeker. He didn’t have a job before the pandemic,” the Prime Minister said.
“And over the course of the pandemic, when we provided the Covid supplement. Daniel wanted to get himself off income support, he wanted to get himself off welfare.
“And Daniel said, ‘You know what I’m going to do? I’m going to save that Covid supplement.’ And he did. And he bought some lawnmowers, and he has set up a gardening business.
“And now he is off income support and he is earning his own way. And that just says so much to me about the strength and resilience of Australians.
“At one of the most difficult times here in this town of Longford, a young bloke who hadn’t had too many opportunities in the course of his life, took the opportunity in front of him, backed himself, invested in himself – with some hardship, because he had to keep living on what was just the JobSeeker rate, because he was saving all the extra. And he used that as an opportunity to break out.
“And I think he’s the hero of Longford, young Daniel.”
I suppose the question here is whether Daniel would have been able to achieve what he did without that extra money on top of the JobSeeker payment.
Labor has ditched its longstanding policy to hold a review into the JobSeeker rate with a view to increasing it. So regardless of who wins the election, it is set to stay the same.
The current rate is $643 per fortnight, or $46 a day.
Albo cracks jokes for the cameras
A more polished and relaxed Anthony Albanese hammed it up for the cameras during a photo op at a mine site in Mount Thorley on Thursday.
In a further sign the Labor leader was getting his mojo back after Monday’s stumble, Mr Albanese cracked a string of jokes to the waiting press.
“I’m regretting dropping all that weight now,” Albo quipped as he posed back-to-back with Labor’s statuesque candidate for Hunter, Dan Repacholi, who stands at 2.02m tall and weighs in at 128kg.
“Our parents couldn’t tell us apart.
“It doesn’t matter how straight I stand up, I’ll still look short.”
– Alexis Carey
‘I haven’t finished’: ScoMo’s presser heats up
Scott Morrison has fired back at reporters for not letting him finish speaking, as he continues to be grilled over the integrity commission.
Reporter: “If you win the next election, will there be an integrity commission, will it be a priority for your government? Will you commit to introducing an integrity commission and second to that, you didn’t answer Johnno’s question around commuter car parks. The last election, you promised a number of car parks. They are still not built. How can voters trust you that on the election commitments you are making this time around will the actually eventuate?”
Morrison: “What was the first part of the question?”
Reporter: “Are you committing to an integrity commission -”
Morrison: “You asked me about priorities and I will talk about what my priorities are: Jobs, jobs, jobs, jobs and jobs.”
Reporter: “Is that a no to the integrity commission?”
Morrison: “That is what my priorities are. I haven’t finished my answer. I uttered five words and that was ‘jobs’.”
The PM then added that national security was also a priority and the integrity commission was also an important matter.
“Our proposal is there, it is clear, it is detailed. It has been well thought through and it is there to be supported,” Mr Morrison said.
Questions over Labor candidate’s social media posts
Anthony Albanese has been questioned over the controversy surrounding Hunter Labor candidate Daniel Repacholi’s now-deleted social media posts.
Mr Repacholi deleted his Instagram and Facebook accounts last year after he was selected to run for the federal seat of Hunter.
The former Olympic shooter was forced to apologise over some of his online behaviour, including describing India as a “sh*t hole” after the Commonwealth Games in 2010.
He also posted about his favourite quote, being “Size dosent (sic) matter when you have 130kg pushing it.”
On his Instagram account, Mr Repacholi also followed a number of sexually suggestive, gun-loving accounts which included pictures of naked women posing with assault rifles.
On Thursday, Mr Albanese was asked if he felt “comfortable” standing next to a candidate who had posted these things online.
“I support Dan as the candidate for Hunter. The truth is, if everyone is held to account, who now is a young person on social media for what they might put on social media in their 20s, then I tell you what, in 10 years time, you will struggle to hold a press conference because there won’t be candidates,” he said.
“Dan Repacholi – I have got to know him in recent times. He has represented his country with honour. He has been a coal miner in this area. He has worked in industry, in small business before having to resign to run full-time.
“Were all of his social media posts perfect? No, they weren’t. He regrets that.”
ScoMo grilled over ‘broken promise’
It is now the Prime Minister’s turn to face some difficult questions, with reporters questioning how he can expect Australians to trust him.
The Morrison government has long promised to establish a Commonwealth Integrity Commission but has so far failed to deliver.
“If you cannot deliver on what you promised, how can Australians trust what you say now?” Scott Morrison was asked on Thursday.
Mr Morrison instead chose to list the things his government has achieved, including reducing unemployment, navigating the economy through the pandemic and delivering “some of the biggest infrastructure projects the nation has ever seen”.
Mr Morrison was then directed back to the original question: “You are asking Australians to trust you and you haven’t delivered on a promise about trust, about integrity.”.
The PM then cut in, saying: “I have to disagree with you”.
Reporter: “It is a broken promise, isn’t it?”
Morrison: “No, it is not.”
Reporter: “You promised you would establish one in the last term and you haven’t, that is a broken promise.”
Mr Morrison then blamed the situation on Labor, saying his government's “detailed legislation” has not been supported by the Opposition.
“I need bipartisan support to put that in place. I am not going to introduce a kangaroo court. I am not going to introduce a policy that I don’t think is in the nation’s best interests and how it would be corrupted by a Labor Party that’s more interested in playing politics with this issue than addressing the real issues,” he said.
‘It’s not really’: Greens leader shut down
Greens Leader Adam Bandt has been brutally shut down over his claim his party’s vote is “growing”.
Speaking to ABC News Breakfast on Thursday morning, Mr Bandt said the balance of power in the Senate is “up for grabs”.
“We’re running strongly in the Senate and it’s critical that people vote Greens in the Senate this time around because balance of power in the Senate is up for grabs and could be the Greens or it could be Pauline Hanson and Clive Palmer and that will make a big difference as to what laws get passed,” he said.
“We’ll welcome the entrants of more people in the democratic race. It’s a good thing. But our vote is growing and our-”
Mr Bandt was then cut off by host Lisa Millar, who said “It’s not really”, in response to his claim votes for the Greens were on the rise.
“Hang on, just on that point, Adam Bandt, because Newspoll continually puts you at around 10 per cent without a lot of change. So why do you suggest your vote is growing?” she asked.
“Well, one thing that’s crystal-clear – is whatever the election result, there will be a power-sharing Senate,” Mr Bandt responded.
“The Greens will be in balance of power in the Senate and who we will put on the table after the election is tackling the climate crisis by stopping the opening of new coal and gas mines.”
‘Can’t be trusted’: Albo hits out at PM’s promises
Anthony Albanese has taken aim at Scott Morrison for repeatedly “walking away” from his promises.
Reporter: “Today the Prime Minister’s in Tasmania for a forestry announcement. The Coalition at the last election committed to planting a billion trees by 2030. They have only done about 1 per cent in that time. What is Labor’s position on that issue of the supply chain in the timber industry and do you think that the Government should come clean about how many trees they actually will be able to plant by 2030?”
Mr Albanese called the Morrison government “all announcement and no delivery”, saying this new announcement is no exception.
“He will be there for the photo op but he is never there for the follow-up, always. This Prime Minister promised a billion trees. How many have they got? One per cent,” the Labor Leader said.
“Morrison skated through an election campaign without being held to account. He skated through with photo opposite, making promises, none of which – are just dismissed.
“This Prime Minister just makes promises and walks away from them. Similarly, on religious discrimination, the Prime Minister withdrew legislation on wage theft, the Prime Minister had the numbers in both houses and withdrew it from their own legislation.
“This is a Prime Minister who can’t be trusted to deliver on his commitments next term because he has shown this term that he can’t be trusted.”
Albanese grilled in press conference
Anthony Albanese is facing a day of tough questions at his Thursday press conference, with one reporter accusing him of dodging a question on hospital waiting times.
Mr Albanese was asked if it would be better to directly address the issues with hospital waiting times rather than spending $135m on 50 GP clinics.
“This addresses hospital waiting times. Part of the problem with our hospital system and emergency departments – talk to any of the people in the sector – is people in nursing homes who get transferred by ambulance to an emergency department of a hospital because they have a health issue and there is not a nurse on site, they can’t get the care,” the Labor Leader said.
“That is part of the very objective that we have and the same principle applies …”
The reporter then claimed “That’s not an answer”, before Mr Albanese quickly moved on to the next question.
‘Running scared’: Ally hits out at Albo backflip
Today show co-host Allison Langdon has hit out at Labor Leader Anthony Albanese for fleeing a presser and backflipping on his promise to answer all questions thrown his way.
Langdon grilled Deputy Opposition Leader Richard Marles, asking him if Labor “lost the election this week”.
“Ally no. At the end of the day, Albo forget a number. But he was out there straightaway, as a leader should be, to admit his mistakes. The leadership from Scott Morrison doesn’t hold a hose. That is the contrast that we have seen this week,” Mr Marles said, adding the mistake was “completely harmless”.
Langdon then brought up Mr Albanese enraging reporters by ending yesterday’s press conference after just eight minutes, saying it looked like the Labor Leader was “running scared” since his blunder.
“It was a big blunder, I don’t know if you can dismiss it as just that. I think the problem has been too, that since then, you were with him yesterday. He said he would front all questions. Yet it looks like he’s running scared,” she said.
“I don’t accept that at all. At the end of the day, yesterday we made a really important announcement in the health space about funding 50 urgent care centres. That is going to make a real difference,” Mr Marles said.
“That is what people are interested in not whether a press conference goes for eight or nine minutes. Albo was there and answering questions in relation to the policy we just announced and he will be fronting the media again today.”
The Today show host also couldn’t resist a cheeky swipe at the Morrison government riding on the coat-tails of Mr Albanese’s gaffe.
Speaking to Defence Minister Peter Dutton, Langdon asked what he makes of Mr Albanese’s stuff-up, adding: “You must feel like the Stephen Bradbury of politics”.
This prompted laughter from Mr Dutton, who said: “Ally, it’s early”.
“I think that Albo has a shocker. Let’s call it what it is. It has given people an insight of somebody who has hidden himself from public view for months. Now you understand why,” Mr Dutton said.
“He is clearly not up to the job and not prepared for the job. It is clear to Australians that the rumblings within the Labor Party about the leader and he can’t go the distance in the campaign. That all makes sense to people now.”
PM meets new Tasmanian Premier
Scott Morrison began his day in Launceston, Tasmania, where he met new Premier Jeremy Rockliff in person for the first time.
Mr Rockliff was sworn in as Premier last week following the sudden resignation of predecessor Peter Gutwein.
Mr Morrison and Mr Rockliff met at the Silos Hotel, and retreated behind closed doors for a chat without the pesky media listening in.
The Prime Minister again congratulated Mr Rockliff for his ascension to the top job.
– Samuel Clench
New poll a fresh blow for Albanese
Anthony Albanese has been hit with a fresh blow after a very rocky start to the campaign trail as the group that could save his rival is revealed.
Focus group research conducted for The Australian Financial Review found that undecided voters are leaning towards Prime Minister Scott Morrison.
The research found many of the views of Mr Morrison are negative, but Mr Albanese is seen as dull and uninspiring.
A previous Labor voter in Western Sydney branded the Opposition Leader as a “gap filler”.
Several people who participated in the Ipsos poll noted it was “better the devil you know”, with another saying: “I find neither to be impressive but the least unimpressive is probably Scott Morrison.”
Ipsos said it was unable to draw definitive conclusions from the focus groups.
“Participants had little enthusiasm for the current offering of either major party and, as a result, little enthusiasm for change,” the poller said.
One of the research groups was made up of a group of former Liberal voters from the Melbourne electorates of Chisholm, Deakin and Higgins who were now undecided.
The second group was drawn from now undecided Labor voters in the western Sydney electorates of Parramatta and Greenway.
PM backflips over trans sports fight
Scott Morrison has performed a quick backflip on new laws for trans athletes after copping criticism over one of his hand-picked candidates’ social media posts.
The Prime Minister had backed a ban on transgender women competing in female sports and flagged the possibility of legislating on the issue if he is returned to power at the May 21 election.
He reiterated his support for Tasmanian Liberal senator Claire Chandler’s so-called “Save Women’s Sport” bill on the first day of the election campaign on Monday.
But by Wednesday afternoon he had changed his tune, telling reporters in the marginal electorate of Geelong: “It is a private member’s bill”.
“The government does not have any plans for that to be a government bill,” he said.
Mr Morrison had encouraged Senator Chandler to pursue the legislation, which he described earlier this year as “terrific”.
His pick for the Sydney seat of Warringah, Katherine Deves, apologised on Wednesday for the “language used” in numerous social media posts she had made about trans women.
Mr Morrison had on Monday backed Ms Deves as being “right on the money”, saying he shared her views, and described Senator Chandler as “brave”.
Mr Morrison was asked about her posts on Wednesday. He said she had “apologised and withdrawn those”.
Asked about his previously stated backing of Ms Deves’ views, he said he had been referring to his personal support for Senator Chandler’s bill.
– Catie McLeod, NCA NewsWire
Crack in Dutton’s controversial flag call
A Liberal backbencher has made a surprising move after Peter Dutton’s controversial election pledge to roll back Indigenous flags.
End-of-year poll paints grim picture for Albo
A key poll is painting a grim picture for Anthony Albanese as Labor gears up for next year’s looming vote.
Chalmers skirts key budget deficit question
Jim Chalmers declined to directly answer whether a total of forecasted $122.1bn in deficits will increase in the mid-year budget update set to be released on Wednesday.