Federal election live updates: Albanese, Dutton campaign on day 22
Iconic Aussie politician Bob Katter has shared an Easter message with online followers, but it doesn’t go the way you think it will.
Larrikin Queensland MP Bob Katter has shared an Easter message online, which can be described as nothing less than an emotional rollercoaster.
He opens by taking his hat off and calmly explaining the meaning of Easter before abruptly launching into a very colloquial retelling of a biblical story from the book of Matthew.
“(Jesus) went into the temple, and bashed the living daylights out of the bankers and money changers, and people that were making money out of religious beliefs,” he said.
Laughing, he continues: “Now hey, it’s Easter time, guess who’s making all the money? Woolworths and Coles. At Christmas time? Woolworths and Coles.”
The veteran politician’s face darkens.
He tells viewers his office had created a nativity scene for every supermarket in Cairns, and while the smaller independent stores had agreed to display it, he claims the major players had not.
“All the independents put it up, and Woolworths and Coles refused to put it up,” he said, visibly furious.
“So I’ll tell you what happened to the money changers in the temple. They burnt in hell – and there’s a message for the likes of Woolworths and Coles.”
The message, for all its twists and turns, was reminiscent of his iconic comments on same sex marriage following the plebiscite in 2017.
“I mean, you know, people are entitled to their sexual proclivities. Let there be a thousand blossoms bloom, as far as I am concerned,” Mr Katter said at the time.
His face turning to a scowl, he went on to say: “But I ain’t spending any time on it because in the meantime, every three months, a person is torn to pieces by a crocodile in north Queensland.”
Mr Katter’s dislike of Australia’s biggest supermarkets is not new. In February last year, he and fellow Independent MP Andrew Wilkie caused a stir as they walked the halls of Parliament House dressed in inflatable pig suits to spruik their push to break up Coles and Woolworths’ market power.
PM intervenes in vegemite fight
An Australian-Canadian cafe owner banned from selling Vegemite due to local health regulations has had the decision overturned thanks to diplomatic efforts, the Prime Minister has revealed.
Owner Leighton Walters went viral after Canadian authorities stopped him selling the yeast-based spread due to the addition of vitamin B.
But visiting the Sydney Royal Easter Show on Saturday, Anthony Albanese said after discussions between the Australian and Canadian governments the “proud Australian product” would return to the menu.
“I do want to talk about a trade issue as well, I have an update on Vegemite-gate,” he said.
“I want to thank Mark Carney and his team for ensuring that for the Australian cafe owner Leighton Walters can once again have Vegemite back in his cafe.
“This is a win for Australian industry, but it’s also a win for those people in Canada who get to enjoy this wonderful product.”
The Prime Minister, a renowned fan of a prop, proudly held a jar of the spread as he shared the good news.
‘Reprehensible’: Prime Minister’s harsh words on Russia
Questioned on captured Australian Oscar Jenkins, The Prime Minister has labelled Russia a “reprehensible regime”.
There are reports Mr Jenkins is facing criminal charges in Russia, alleging he is a mercenary.
The Australian teacher was captured while fighting for Ukraine in late 2024.
Mr Albanese said his government had “certainly not” forgotten about him.
“We will continue to make representations to the reprehensible regime of Vladimir Putin on behalf of Mr Jenkins,” he said.
“We will stand up and use whatever avenues we have at our disposal.”
Mr Albanese reiterated his position that he was prepared to consider Australia’s involvement in a peace keeping force.
“The people of Ukraine are fighting for a democratic nation, for their own sovereignty but they’re also fighting for the international rule of law,” he said.
‘We have our policy’: Albo won’t match Coalition’s small business tax break
Quizzed on the Liberal Party’s announcement today of a plan to offer tax breaks to small businesses on the first $200,000 they earn, the Prime Minister declined to say if he would match it.
Anthony Albanese said his tax cuts would benefit one-and-a-half million sole traders already.
“We have our tax policy going forward, it’s a tax cut for every Australian taxpayer including sole traders,” he said.
“On top of the other support that we’re delivering to small businesses including the instant asset write off, including the energy rebates and the other support that we’re giving to small businesses.
“The Liberal Party want to increase people’s income taxes, everyone, in order to pay $20,000 for some bosses to have some lunch, that’s their tax policy.”
Liberals still want to end work from home: Jason Clare
Joining the Prime Minister on the campaign trail today, Education Minister Jason Clare accused the Liberal Party of having secret ambitions to continue with their dumped policy to end work from home for public servants.
Mr Clare said the Sydney Morning Herald had published an interview with Liberal Senator Jane Hume, quoting her as saying it was “good policy” but not the “appropriate time”.
“When the Liberal Party say it’s not the appropriate time, you know what that means,” he said.
“They think the right time to change this is after the election … they’re just pretending, trying to con people into voting for them in a couple of weeks.
“This cover up didn’t last two weeks.”
Coalition promises to overturn sheep export ban
The Coalition has announced it will reinstate the live sheep export trade and ensure the live cattle export trade is protected if elected on May 3.
It has been labelled a first priority by Nationals Leader David Littleproud, who claimed at a press conference in Perth that Western Australia’s live export industry would be “over” if Labor were to form Government with the Greens.
Mr Littleproud, who represents the Queensland seat of Maranoa, said if a Coalition government was elected, his first trip as Agriculture Minister would be to the Middle East to maintain trade relationships.
“Labor is prepared to put politics ahead of Western Australian jobs,” he said.
“Labor is bowing down to animal activists, even though Australia has the world’s best animal welfare standards. It is senseless to remove ourselves from the market, because the Middle East will simply find other markets which don’t have our high animal welfare standards.
“Labor’s transition package for farmers won’t see the light of day until the next financial year and well after the federal election. We know our farmers want to keep their industry, not lose it with an insulting and delayed transition package.”
Mr Albanese jumped to defend his government’s decision to end the export of live sheep after being accused of “turning his back on farmers” in January.
The ban, which will come into effect in May 2028, will mostly impact WA sheep farmers and exporters.
Although some opponents, including Mr Littleproud, claim the move will cost more than 3000 jobs and the livelihoods of many Aussie farmers, the PM has previously insisted the $100m plus support package – including a series of grants and industry transition programs – will suffice.
The legislation was passed overwhelmingly last year following a period of consultation that some farmers say was inadequate.
‘I’m jealous’: Dutton’s quip to alpaca
With only two weeks left until polling day, Opposition Leader Peter Dutton was out showing his more casual side at the Easter Show on Saturday morning.
With new polling showing Mr Dutton continuing to fall out of favour with Aussies, the party leader was all jokes this morning in a notable vibe shift for the former Queensland cop.
Patting Hephner the Alpaca, Mr Dutton made fun of his own baldness.
“That’s a beautiful Afro. I’m jealous,” he said.
Speaking to voters as he did a walk through the Easter Show, Mr Dutton asked one family from Sydney whether the doughnuts they were eating were “good”.
“Yeah, that’s what I need,” he said, tapping on his stomach.
Mr Dutton also took a number of selfies with the public and patted a number of cows in the cattle shed.
Spitting goat steals PM’s photo op
Anthony Albanese has received a rock star welcome at the Easter show.
The visit offered an unscripted moment of interaction with the public, a rare occurrence in a tightly controlled campaign.
But punters were all smiles as the Prime Minister took the opportunity to cuddle with a baby goat before stopping for selfies with about a dozen punters.
He quipped he would like to take it back to The Lodge, but didn’t know how Toto would react.
Another goat stole the limelight from the Prime Minister, drawing chuckles after spitting on a young boy.
Held by Labor, the electorate of Reid remains a battleground seat for the 2025 election – after it was won by Sally Sitou in 2022.
Albo set to visit Easter Royal Show too
The Prime Minister will make an appearance at the Easter Royal Show, just hours after the Opposition Leader did the same.
Anthony Albanese and Mr Dutton won’t have any awkward run ins however, with the Liberal leader’s campaign shuttling off shortly before the Labor contingent moves in.
Mr Albanese will use Saturday’s media opportunity to spruik Labor’s overnight pledge to legislate penalty rate protections.
The move comes after Labor claims industry groups have applied to the Fair Work Commission to ditch Sunday and public holiday rates.
According to the Labor campaign, Mr Albanese’s government wants to ensure wages of low-paid works do not go backwards.
The change would impact the minimum terms and conditions for 3 million workers, the party claims.
Dutton’s call on Bertie Beetle cost as he’s booed at showbag hall
It’s been a positive reception for Peter Dutton at the Easter show, with families asking to take selfies with the Opposition Leader as he walked down the main walkway at the Easter Show.
Mr Dutton stopped to watch the sheep sheering, bought some pies with Kirilly and even bought a Bertie Beetle showbag.
One of the journalists in the travelling media pack asked if he was surprised at the price of a Bertie Beetle showbag these days, which is now priced at $5.
The showbag cost just $2 in 2021 but has since been increased year on year.
“If I was on your salary it would be all right,” Mr Dutton told the Channel 10 journalist.
The average journalist in Australia earns between $65k to $85k a year.
Mr Dutton also stopped to speak to Sydney first homebuyer Stan Zovko who told him his policies would “really help”.
However, one group did boo Mr Dutton as he walked into the showbag pavilion.
Mr Dutton also spoke to one of the sheep farmers about live exports.
The farmer asked him if he was tired from the campaign.
“No I’m okay,” Mr Dutton said.
“You look back at the end, and I’ve met some amazing people. Real salt of the earth people here.”
One elderly couple watched on as Mr Dutton spoke to farmers.
“Do you want to meet Peter Dutton?” The husband asked.
“I don’t’!” The wife responded.
Penalty rate plan a ‘stunt’, Dutton claims
Labor has unveiled a new plan to legislate protections for 3 million award workers who receive penalty rates, to ensure they can’t go backwards.
Penalty rates in the retail, pharmacy, fast food and hospitality industries were cut by the Fair Work Commission in 2017 from double time on Sundays and public holidays.
The rate for casual workers dropped to time-and-three-quarters while permanent staff were given time-and-a-half.
Workplace Relations Minister Murray Watt vowed to introduce legislation to enshrine penalty rates as a key feature of workplace awards’ minimum terms and conditions.
“We will always stand with workers to protect their wages so that we can help them deal with the pressures of today and get ahead in the future,” he said.
Asked about the pledge on Saturday, Peter Dutton labelled it a Labor “stunt”, saying the decision was up to the Fair Work Commission.
“There is no change to any of the industrial relations arrangements … Labor will run a line, try to distract people from the cost-of-living issue, which is the biggest issue facing Australians,” the Opposition leader said.
“Let’s have a mature debate instead of these red herrings and I think this election is about whether you can afford three more years of Labor. I don’t think Australians can.
“The independent umpire sets the conditions. It’s been abided by from both sides of politics and we don’t propose any departure from the current arrangements.”
The debate comes after Labor claimed industry groups had asked the Fair Work Commission to vary awards to allow some workers to give up penalty rates in exchange for a pay rise.
If successful, the applications by employer groups would reduce the overall income of workers by thousands of dollars each year, according to Labor.
Dutton greets cows, reflects on milk prices at Easter Show
Opposition Leader Peter Dutton was out campaigning at the Easter show on Saturday morning, with just two weeks until election day.
Mr Dutton spoke to cattle and dairy farmers, even patting a few cows.
One dairy farmer, Julie Moore from Dorrigo, voiced her concerns to the party leader about the cost of milk in supermarkets.
“It’s very underpriced,” she said.
“That’s a very good point,” Mr Dutton responded.
Mr Dutton visited the show games before gates opened for Easter Saturday.
Sydney Olympic Park is in the seat of Reid, a marginal Labor seat held by 5.2 per cent.
“It’s good to catch up with people,” Mr Dutton said.
Albo surges ahead in new poll
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese could defy the odds to return to power with a majority government in “one of the most significant electoral shifts in living memory”, new polling shows.
The latest pulse check, conducted by Redbridge Group and Accent Research during week three of the federal election campaign, found there had been a 9 per cent drop in the Coalition’s primary vote since February.
Things are worse for the party on a two-party preferred basis.
In the first wave of the Voter Pulse polling conducted between February 4 and 11, the Coalition led 52 per cent to Labor’s 48 per cent, but in the months since, this figure has been flipped on its head.
In the latest polling, conducted between April 9-15, Labor leads with 54.5 per cent of the vote, while the Coalition sits on 45.5 per cent.
Surveyed on the messaging of each party, 36 per cent of the 1000 people surveyed said Labor had the best election promises for them, compared to only 26 per cent of voters favouring the pledges of the Coalition.
Redbridge director Kos Samaras told News Corp the shift was significant, and seen most clearly in Victoria.
“Between our initial key seats track and the latest update, we have witnessed one of the most significant electoral shifts in living memory,” he said.
“The focal point of this dramatic change is Victoria, where the Coalition’s primary vote has plummeted by 11 per cent, erasing their once commanding advantage and potentially limiting them to a one-seat gain.”
The polling comes at a vital point in the campaign, with just days before early voting opens.
Voting early has become increasingly popular. with more than 5.6 Australians using pre-poll services in the 2022 election.
A further 1.8 million returned a postal vote.
With the Easter long weekend presenting few opportunities to campaign, this means each leader’s performance in week three could be make or break.
Dutton dismisses grim poll
Opposition Leader Peter Dutton dismissed the recent polls on Saturday morning, telling reporters there is a “disparity” between the figures and the response he had seen on the campaign trail.
“I think there is a disparity in some of the published polls to what we are seeing,” he said.
“I think most people are frankly more interested in what will happen in their lives if Anthony Albanese’s re-elected. It’s a disaster.”
He also suggested many voters wouldn’t have even considered their choice at this point in the campaign.
“I think there are a lot of Australians who have not switched their mind to the choices and what they are doing on election day. We have a lot of time between now and polling day,” he said.
“But it is a big decision for our country. When I look at our effort in the marginal seats and member efforts on candidates on the ground, I’m enthused.”
McDermott tips Kiss to succeed as Wallabies coach
Queensland Reds mentor Les Kiss has been endorsed ahead of his expected elevation to the role of Wallabies coach.
‘Elite talent’ turns back on homesickness
One of the AFL’s most exciting players has turned his back on lucrative offers to return to his home state.