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Federal Election 2016: Turnbull calls July 2 poll

Malcolm Turnbull starts a marathon 55-day election campaign behind Labor, according to the latest Newspoll.

Rosie LewisRosie Lewis
Turnbull announces July 2 election
31 min read
4:33PMMay 08, 2016.
Updated 12:34AMMay 09, 2016

ELECTION 2016 LIVE COVERAGE: Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has today visited the Governor-General Peter Cosgrove to ask for a double-dissolution election. He has launched the nation’s longest election campaign since the 1960s, culminating with a July 2 poll.

10.30pm:Newspoll shows no budget bounce

Malcolm Turnbull begins the fight of his political life with the government failing to receive any poll bounce from last week’s budget, meaning the Coalition starts a marathon 55-day election campaign behind Labor, according to the latest Newspoll.

Despite Mr Turnbull’s pledge to restore the Coalition’s poll lead and to show economic leadership when he toppled Tony Abbott as Prime Minister eight months ago, the Newspoll, taken exclusively for The Australian, reveals Labor has maintained its lead of 51 per cent to the Coalition’s 49 per cent in two-party-preferred terms. Read Phil Hudson’s report on the first Newspoll of the campaign here.

Full Newspoll tables and analysis in The Australian’s 10-page election special edition tomorrow.

8.05pm:Who won day one of the campaign?

Bill Shorten is going into this campaign as the underdog who must not be underestimated, writes The Australian’s political correspondent, David Crowe.

Malcolm Turnbull had a stronger message than his opponent on the opening day of the campaign: an appeal to voters to support an economic plan that promises economic growth for all.

Yet Shorten had the sharpest lines. He ripped into the Prime Minister with prepared jibes that could take a personal toll on Turnbull and weaken the government’s support.

Shorten took aim at Turnbull for policies that “reward millionaires” and give “tax cuts for large companies” while threatening the living standards of all Australians.

Read Crowe’s analysis of which leader won the opening day of campaign 2016 here.

Day one: Turnbull got off to a shaky start, but Shorten was disciplined, focussed and sharp, says David Crowe. Read his analysis of day 1 here.
Day one: Turnbull got off to a shaky start, but Shorten was disciplined, focussed and sharp, says David Crowe. Read his analysis of day 1 here.

7.30pm:Cormann attacks Labor promises

Finance Minister Mathias Cormann has told Sky News that Labor has made about $65 billion in unfunded promises and that a Labor government would devlier higher taxes and unfunded policies. “Eventually Bill Shorten will have to come clean on the cost of his promises not just over the decade but over the next four years,’’ he said.

7.15pm:Coalition gets to work

5.45pm:Lobby groups react

* “It will be fought on competing claims of fairness, and what is the fairest way to fuel jobs growth and deliver quality services while meeting the challenges of a volatile global economy.” - Business Council of Australia chief executive Jennifer Westacott

* “This election campaign needs to see some ambition from our political parties to get behind Australia’s visitor economy because it really has been one of the great economic success stories.” - Tourism and Transport Forum chief executive Margy Osmond

* “Irrespective of where you want to take this country and our economy, were going to need substantive transport investment and reform to get us there, because we cannot have the economy of the future, using the transport systems of the past.” - Australian Automobile Association chief executive Michael Bradley

* “Malcolm Turnbull comes into this election campaign with considerable lead in his saddlebags (on environmental issues.” - Wilderness Society national director Lyndon Schneiders

* “It is vital that parties are economically responsible. Both parties need to subject their policies to scrutiny from the Treasury, Department of Finance and Parliamentary Budget Office.” - Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry chief executive James Pearson

* “Ai Group maintains a non-partisan approach in any political contest but there are policy priorities that should cross the political divide: taxation reform, budget sustainability, developing skills of the workforce, workplace relations, innovation, industry policy, infrastructure, climate and energy, and immigration.” - chief executive Innes Willox

* “Retailers, just like consumers, simply want to know that those in government are making clear decisions that provide financial support and stability.” - Australian Retailers Association executive director Russell Zimmerman

* “Now is the chance for us to show federal politicians the increasing number of voters that include equality for LGBTI people in deciding how they vote.” - NSW Gay and Lesbian Right Lobby co-convenor Chris Pycroft

5.20pm:What the leaders said

In case you missed it, here’s what Malcolm Turnbull and Bill Shorten said at their press conferences today kicking off Election 2016.

Election 2016: what the leaders are saying

5.05pm:ACTU says ‘Put the Liberals last’

The ACTU says it “welcomes the official start of the 2016 election campaign”, adding that the Turnbull Coalition government had “failed to take Australia in the right direction and we will be urging people to put the Liberal/National parties last in this election”, reports Elizabeth Colman.

ACTU President Ged Kearney said the issues of most importance to the labour movement were education, traineeships, apprenticeships and “research and development of new technologies”.

“The Australian Union movement has built a nation wide campaign on these issues,” Ms Kearney said. “We have mobilised tens of thousands of people, young, old, working, retired, men and women. We are ready. Across Australia people are telling us that they are disappointed in Malcolm Turnbull and angry at the Liberal party. We are saying Put the Liberals Last this election.”

4.30pm:Credlin delivers her day 1 verdict

Peta Credlin has given Sky News her take on the leaders’ performances on the day the 2016 federal election was called.

On Malcolm Turnbull, she says it was a strong, confident, “almost vintage” Malcolm Turnbull and rates his performance “very highly”

On Bill Shorten, she says he has improved, sharpened up his act but he was still an opposition leader today. She says the challenge for him on the first day of the campaign is to look like an alternative PM.

Credlin, who also penned her first column for The Sunday Telegraph today, said she would have had the Opposition Leader standing in a room, rather than the open air, with some flags — something that had “some authority”.

She gave the Prime Minister high praise and says the ads the Liberal Party is running will be effective.

“I got the sense today he is more comfortable with the legacy of the Abbott government, and that’s a good thing because there is a good record as an underlying base for him to run on.

“Malcolm, when he is talking down the barrel of a camera in a very conversational, warm tone, there is no one better to sell a message.”

However Credlin said the common vulnerability for both sides of the election is the “ferocity and the length of the campaign’’.

4.20pm:What you’ve missed today

* Malcolm Turnbull spent the morning with his family on Mother’s Day in Sydney before he travelled to Canberra to visit Governor General Peter Cosgrove to request parliament be dissolved and a double dissolution election for July 2.

* Bill Shorten launched Labor’s paid parental leave policy in Melbourne before travelling to Tasmania to mark the 10-year anniversary of the Beaconsfield mining disaster.

WHAT THE COALITION WANTED TO TALK ABOUT:

* The government’s “national economic plan” - otherwise known as the budget.

WHAT LABOR WANTED TO TALK ABOUT:

* Labor will protect new mums’ ability to claim paid maternity from their employer and the government, a $1.4 billion policy that effects 80,000 families with new babies each year, who would be as much as $11,800 better off under Labor than they would be under the Liberals.

WHAT MADE NEWS IN THE MORNING:

* Labor’s plan to reverse what the coalition government labelled as “double dipping” on paid parental leave.

* General practitioners oppose the federal government’s freeze on Medicare rebates and are launching a campaign to warn patients about the policy.

THEY SAID WHAT?

* “If we embrace this future with confidence and with optimism, with self-belief and a clear plan, then we will succeed as we have never succeeded before,” Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull told reporters in Canberra announcing the July 2 election.

* “This election is much more than a choice between parties and personalities. This election is a choice about what sort of Australia that we want to live in,” Opposition Leader Bill Shorten told reporters in Launceston, Tasmania.

* Asked by a reporter what is happening in Canberra this afternoon, Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce said: “Cup of tea, scones, quick chat. Maybe a little bit of an election. Maybe, I think that’s a pretty good guess.”

* “There has never been a more exciting time to grow a beard, there has never been a more exciting day to shave it off,” a clean-shaven shadow Chris Bowen told Sky News.

FOOT-IN-MOUTH MOMENTS:

* Calling the election on Mother’s Day - independent senator Jacqui Lambie accused the prime minister of turning Mother’s Day into “Turnbull’s Day”.

TWEETING:

* “Governor General arrives at Government House” - hopefully this won’t be the most important news story breaking today. - Labor MP Graham Perrett

* Bring it on. We will always stand up for action on global warming, compassion to those who seek our help & our clean energy future - Greens leader Richard Di Natale

* While the PM was visiting Govt House I was at the Menindee Cafe, with coffee served by the delightful Ava - Nationals MP Mark Coulton.

4.07pm:Di Natale launches Greens’ campaign

Richard Di Natale has launched the Greens’ election campaign in Newcastle, where a “peaceful protest” has taken place calling for a move away from fossil fuels to clean energy.

“‘No more new coal’, because more coal means more dangerous global warming,” Senator Di Natale tells those attending the rally. “It means losing the Great Barrier Reef, it means holding this country back from making the clean energy transition it so desperately needs. So we stand, as a group, united, the Greens never in better shape. We are a party that is absolutely humming along.

“Because the biggest thing that is holding the Greens back is that we have a lot of people who still don’t know what our broad suite of policies actually represent. When you have that conversation with people, what you know is that you are more likely to end up with a Greens voter. That is what our election campaign will look like. Working with the community, standing against those vested interests, saying ‘no more new coal’, let’s make the transition to a 21st century economy, and let’s get this country moving in the direction that’s more sustainable, more prosperous, and more caring.”

4.00pm:Libs unveil new ad

The Liberals have unveiled a new advertisement, using the slogan “Our plan for a strong new economy”. Watch below.

3.28pm:Shorten has his say

Bill Shorten is speaking now. He says he will fight the election on several issues: Schools and education. Health, hospitals and Medicare. Climate change. A “vibrant” economy, jobs growth and security.

“My priorities couldn’t be any more different than my opponent’s,” Shorten says.

He points to making multinationals “pay their fair share” of tax, changing the “unsustainable” tax concessions at the top end of superannuation prospectively, scrapping the government’s direct action policy.

“When you look at the figures we have put together, we’ve done the job that this government should have done. That is what we are. We have positive plans.”

And here’s the crux of Mr Shorten’s message to voters:

It is not about Labor or Liberal when it comes to these fundamental issues, it is about the Australian people. And when it comes to the issues that affect the Australian people, they can trust Labor. Trust Labor to stand up for schools and education - and we’ve costed our policies. Trust Labor to protect and improve Medicare because that is in our DNA. Trust Labor to make sure that working class and middle class kids can get a chance to go to university and not pay $100,000 degrees. You can trust Labor to stand up for people’s conditions at work.

You can trust Labor to be tough on multinationals who are paying less tax in Australia than the high-street businesses. You can trust Labor to support reductions in the tax bill paid by small businesses, but what we are not prepared to do is to go down the path of rewarding the top end of town on a theory which says that if you just give the very top a leg up, that that will trickle down to everyone else.

This country works best when we’ve got common endeavour. When opportunity is not defined or confined to particular postcodes or to children who have got wealthy parents. This country works best when we have fairness, twined with economic growth.

Mr Shorten insists Labor has learned its lessons of the past — that his party is “united”. He shares one “prediction” for post-July 2: that the Liberal Party will “go to war with itself again”.

“They view this election as a skirmish before they can settle scores with each other. Mr Turnbull’s problem is that I think eight months ago, many people hoped that he could change the Liberal Party. The Liberal Party’s changed him.

“I frankly think it is amazing that in Mr Turnbull’s pitch to be re-elected, he didn’t even mention climate change. He famously said that he did not want to lead a party that wasn’t interested in climate change. Now he has airbrushed climate change out of his presentation altogether. Mr Turnbull’s priorities, for instance, when he talks about before he became leader that he would have a conscience vote on marriage equality, now he wants to spend taxpayer money on a plebiscite which won’t even bind the extreme Right of his party. Mr Turnbull has great difficulties being true to himself because he does not control his party.

“For better or for worse I and my party are in lockstep. We have shared values and positive plans for Australia.”

3.19pm:‘We are the underdogs’

Even before the starter’s gun had been fired on the election, the “underdog” Bill Shorten was ready. Ready to lead Labor for the first time in an election campaign, ready to frame the poll as a referendum on issues like jobs and schools, and ready to talk up Labor as the party that will “put people first”.

Now, Shorten has emailed Labor supporters with a slick video soliciting campaign donations, encouraging voters to give as little as $5.

It reads in part: “We are the underdogs and the Liberals have millions more than us to pour into this campaign. We need people just like you ... to stop the Liberals’ unfair plans in their tracks. Can we count on you?”

Small donations disproportionately assist the parties as they make individual supporters feel personally connected to a campaign. They also bring down the average donation size (purportedly $33 for the ALP), allowing the parties to downplay the influence of big donors.

- Jared Owens

3.18pm:Joyce makes his pitch

Barnaby Joyce takes the stand in the main committee room of Parliament House after Malcolm Turnbull. Here’s his pitch:

“The Coalition, the Liberal and National Coalition, I believe provides the strongest evidence from its actions of a strong future. I premise that on the fact that we are the party that delivers on things such as the inland rail, an inland rail which talks about a corridor of commerce from Melbourne, through to Brisbane, providing real opportunities for people who wish to go west and make their opportunity in this nation.

We are the side of Government that provides the vision of dams and the wealth that they provide, and are brave enough to build them and have completed our first as recently as this week. We are the side that believes in the defence of our nation. Making sure our nation is strong, and the families that are within it are safe.

We see the future of our nation through the regional towns and making sure that the problems in their lives, the concerns of their lives, are dealt with in a way that truly reflects the dignity of the people and how seriously we hold the job that they do. We have proven ourselves but we are merely at the start.”

He says he is looking forward to voicing the concerns of the Australian people in a sometimes fun, unscripted way.

“Making sure that we walk humbly with our people, not in a way that doesn’t let us have fun, not in a way that doesn’t mean that we are not, you know, turn(ed) into some peculiar creature that is completely scripted.”

He said the people could judge the Nationals on the record commodity prices Australians are currently enjoying, and the fact that rural exports are now second only to iron ore.

Asked whether the retention of the backpacker tax in the budget was an indication that the Nationals had been overruled by their Liberal counterparts, Mr Joyce maintained the issue was still being negotiated.

He said the campaign was about much more than him and his rival for the seat of New England, Independent Tony Windsor.

“I think our electorate will make a clear choice about where their future lies, and who has the best prospects of being able to deliver to their electorate over the longer term,” Mr Joyce said.

“But this is not an election about me. It’s an election about our nation. It’s an election about the prosperity of our nation.

“The people of the New England are terribly proud to be part of the incredible nation called the Commonwealth of Australia. They too know this is vastly greater than just a story about them.”

3.03pm:Leaders asked to debate

Both Malcolm Turnbull and Bill Shorten have been invited to a live “people’s forum” hosted by Sky News in central Queensland this Thursday night, the network reports.

The Opposition Leader has reportedly signalled his interest in attending, although there was no word from the Prime Minister, the network says.

Mr Turnbull told reporters in Canberra said he expected there would be multiple debates during the campaign but did not commit to specifics.

- Jared Owens

3.00pm:PM’s letter to Cosgrove

Malcolm Turnbull’s letter to Governor-General Peter Cosgrove has been published. You can view it here.

Some key dates from the letter:

MAY 09 - Both houses dissolved

MAY 16 - Issue of the writs

MAY 23 - Electoral rolls close

JUNE 9 - Nominations close

JULY 2 - Polling day

AUG 08 - Return of the writs (latest date possible)

The GG has written to Malcolm Turnbull confirming he has accepted his advice “to dissolve both houses of parliament simultaneously”. This will take effect from 9am tomorrow.

“In accepting your advice, I have noted your assurances that there is sufficient supply to enable the work of the administration of the Commonwealth to be carried on through the election period,” Sir Peter writes.

2.30pm:July 2: It’s on

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has confirmed Australians will go to the polls on July 2 for the first double dissolution election since 1987.

He said there was a very clear choice at the election - to stick with the coalition’s plans for jobs and growth or go to Labor whose policies “will stop our nation’s transition to the new economy dead in its tracks.” “But if we embrace this future with confidence and with optimism, with self-belief and a clear plan, then we will succeed as we have never succeeded before,” he said in Canberra.

He laid out his plan to return to government, citing innovation and science, Australian industry and high tech jobs, and getting young people into jobs as vital.

“These are exciting times. But we must embark on these times, embrace these opportunities, meet these challenges, with a plan and we have laid out a clear economic plan to enable us to succeed,” he said.

He said his government had set up the stage for strong trade with China and Asia.

Mr Turnbull vowed to re-establish the building industry watchdog if the coalition wins the election - the twice-rejected legislation that triggered the double-dissolution election.

The Australian Building and Construction Commission would restore the rule of law to the construction sector that employs one million Australians, he said.

“It is a vital economic reform and critical to our continued success.”

Mr Turnbull trumpeted the coalition’s defence plan, including building capabilities in Australia “so far as we can”.

“Every dollar we can spend in Australia we will,” he said.

Australians lived in a region that had seen the “most remarkable growth” and, in a few years, half of the world’s middle class would live in Asia.

“The opportunities for Australia are enormous but we have to have the means to seize them,” he said, heralding three coalition-signed foreign trade deals with Korea, Japan and China.

Mr Turnbull said the government’s economic plan for jobs and growth was clear and critical to supporting the transition to a 21st century economy.

The government had established an innovation and science agenda to ensure the nation became innovative in business, academia and government.

The plan would ensure children had the skills of the 21st century and that researchers and scientists collaborated with business and industry.

“It is the most exciting time to be an Australia. These are exciting times,” he said.

The prime minister insisted the coalition’s economic plan was working and was fair to Australians and to generations to come. “The results are there to be seen in the strong economic growth,” he said.

Growth would be at risk if Labor’s “job destroying” policies were put in place, he said.

On the other hand, the coalition’s plan to cut company taxes in a carefully calibrated way would promote investment.

“The relationship is clear and direct,” Mr Turnbull said.

Meanwhile, Mr Turnbull said he had not discussed the issue of campaign debates with Opposition Leader Bill Shorten.

“But I look forward to having a number of them,” Mr Turnbull said.

Malcolm Turnbull speaks to the media at Parliament House.
Malcolm Turnbull speaks to the media at Parliament House.

2.29pm:WA downturn won’t affect Libs

Western Australian Premier Colin Barnett says his state’s economic downturn, due to the mining slowdown, will not affect the Turnbull Liberal government’s chances in the Federal election. But retaining all Coalition-held seats in WA “will be a hard ask”, he said.

“The Coalition has twelve out of fifteen seats, and there will be a new one, but I think it will retain the majority of seats.

“It’s going to be close, and there will be a whole lot of battles in marginal seats. I think Malcolm Turnbull is going to win, but I don’t presume (victory) for a moment.”

Announcing a $30million boost to tourism in the forthcoming state budget yesterday, Mr Barnett said increasing tourism was “front and centre” in the state’s transition from a resource-based economy to a more broadly-based one. The state budget will be brought down this Thursday.

- Victoria Laurie

2.20pm:PM to address the nation

Malcolm Turnbull has posted on his Facebook page saying he has visited the Governor General and asked him to dissolve the Parliament in preparation for an election. He will speak shortly.

1.57pm:Turnbull expected to call election

He’s visited the Governor-General, now Malcolm Turnbull has called a press conference for 2.30pm at Parliament House. Stay with us.

Turnbull arrives at Parliament House after visiting the Governor General.
Turnbull arrives at Parliament House after visiting the Governor General.

1.45pm:Labor’s election pitch

Earlier, Bill Shorten made an election pitch during a press conference in Melbourne:

“Labor is certainly ready for this election. We’re a united team. I acknowledge we start this election as the underdog, but this election will be a matter of choices for the Australian people. It will be a referendum on jobs. It will be a referendum on keeping Medicare in public hands. It will be a referendum on the sort of schools we want to see our children educated in.

We have positive plans for the future. Jobs, schools, Medicare, renewable energy, a fair taxation system, also making sure that first home buyers compete equally in the housing market with property speculators. We are looking forward to this election, we’ve been working hard on our policies, and as I say, I’m very privileged to lead a united team.

That contrast couldn’t be clearer with Mr Turnbull’s team. They are definitely not united and they are pursuing a policy for Australians which will reward big tax cuts to major corporations. They will provide tax cuts for people who earn $1 million a year - a $17,000 tax cut. Yet at the same time, we’re seeing a working parent with teenage kids who warns $65,000 a year losing family payments and other matters in excess of $4,500. We will put people first.”

Bill Shorten in Melbourne earlier today.
Bill Shorten in Melbourne earlier today.

1.31pm:Greens make election pitch

Richard Di Natale.
Richard Di Natale.

The Greens are first off the mark making their election pitch after Malcolm Turnbull visited the Governor-General. Here’s Greens leader Richard Di Natale in a press release:

“Global warming, the unprecedented number of people seeking asylum around the world, inequality, transforming our economy: these are the challenges of our time and it’s the Greens who are providing leadership.

“Both the Liberals and Labor support new coal mines. They both support detaining innocent people in hellish camps offshore. They both lack the courage to clean up our democracy. They’re a double disappointment and this double dissolution election is an opportunity for voters to demand better.”

1.19pm:Turnbull arrives. Stand by ...

Malcolm Turnbull has left Government House. The meeting between the PM and GG lasted about 20 minutes. He’ll be preparing for a press conference in Parliament House where he’ll lay out his vision for the nation.

Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce reckons there’ll be a cup of tea, scones, a quick chat and “maybe a little bit of an election” in Canberra this afternoon. He joked with the ABC before he headed to the nation’s capital about why he was taking a couple of suits with him (he’s expected to stand alongside Malcolm Turnbull when the PM addresses the media in Parliament House).

“You just never know when a function’s coming up, you know, a guy from the bush can never be sure of something that might pop up where you might need a suit,” Mr Joyce says.

“I always try to be easy going, I think that’s Australia’s natural character. But it’s a serious business, we’ve got to try and pick a team to run the country. And right at the start of it we need to start to have a serious discussion about the plan.”

1.01pm: Malcolm has landed

And he has landed. There are a few dozen Canberrans braving the rainy weather to catch a glimpse of the PM and, according to Sky News’s Tom Connell, a couple of protesters. We couldn’t spy a wave as Malcolm Turnbull entered Government House, let’s hope those waiting get a “g’day” on his way out.

PM Malcolm Turnbull leaving to go to government house. Picture: Kym Smith
PM Malcolm Turnbull leaving to go to government house. Picture: Kym Smith

12.55pm:PM on his way

The Prime Minister has left the Lodge and is on his way to Government House, where he’ll ask the Governor-General to dissolve both house of parliament and issue writs for the election.

Former PM John Howard began his election campaign, asking “who do you trust?” What will Malcolm say?

12.33pm:GG arrives

The Governor-General Peter Cosgrove has arrived back at Government House, Malcolm Turnbull’s visit is edging closer.

12.30pm:Leaders thank mothers

Malcolm Turnbull has not forgotten it is Mother’s Day. He’s penned a blog celebrating Australian mums, particularly those within his own family:

I remember once when we were planting trees in a paddock and little Alex, not yet two, was playing nearby.

Lucy and I both looked up and saw a brown snake between us and Alex. Without a word she leapt through the air, over the snake, scooped up Alex and in another equally enormous bound was many metres away. It seemed to happen in an instant. I have never seen anyone move so fast.

Another time, smoke started to fill our house. Lucy, completely calm, woke me up. “There’s a fire. I’ll get the kids, you put out the fire.” And so we did.

And then when our children were sick, the best cure was wrapped in mummy’s arms. “You’re thermal, mummy.” Daisy used to say as she snuggled in.

Lucy’s love for children has always gone beyond her own.

Bill Shorten has also remembered his mum in a Facebook post. A woman who he says “made so many sacrifices for me and my brother”.

11.54am:PM arrives in Canberra

Malcolm Turnbull has arrived in Canberra. As we’ve canvassed earlier, we’re expecting him to head to the Lodge then visit Governor-General Sir Peter Cosgrove at about 1pm. He’ll hold a press conference to announce the start of the election mid-afternoon.

Turnbull says goodbye to his wife Lucy earlier as he headed to Canberra. Picture: Cameron Richardson
Turnbull says goodbye to his wife Lucy earlier as he headed to Canberra. Picture: Cameron Richardson

Barnaby Joyce is also heading to the nation’s capital.

11.45am:Enjoying The Australian’s election coverage?

If so, here’s a shameless plug for a subscriber event we’ve got coming up. The Australian’s editor-at-large Paul Kelly, Sky News host Peter Van Onselen and columnist Jennifer Oriel will be appearing in Sydney and Melbourne on June 7 & 8 to discuss the issues that will define the election campaign and that shape our democracy. Find out more here

11.31am:Not just Mother’s Day

Australian Motoring Enthusiast Party senator Ricky Muir isn’t quite as angry as Jacqui Lambie (see post at 8.44am) about the election being called on Mother’s Day. It turns out today is also his wife’s 30th birthday.

“I hear the Prime Minister has a present planned for you. A double-dissolution, which may lead to more time together as a family. Let’s see if he is generous enough to deliver it,” he writes in a Facebook post.

It sounds as though Senator Muir, who was voted in on a record-low 0.51 per cent primary vote, is resigned to losing his place in the Senate and spending more time with his wife and kids.

11.19am:A ‘how to vote’ reminder

Labor is emailing supporters reminding them to enrol to vote. As at December 31 last year, 1.06 million or 6.5 per cent of Australians that were eligible to vote were not enrolled.

“This includes nearly half of all eighteen and nineteen year olds,” the opposition’s director of target seats Paul Erickson writes.

“Voting is one of the most important things you’ll do this election — and enrolling yourself or enrolling a friend means you get to have your say. This could be the difference whether we elect a Labor government that invests in our schools, or a Coalition government that cuts Medicare.”

11.10am:Not being ‘tricky’ on tax plan

Scott Morrison on Insiders today.
Scott Morrison on Insiders today.

Scott Morrison has defended the government’s decision not to reveal $48.2 billion cost of its ten year plan to reduce company tax rates, maintaining it is not normal for Treasury to put ten year figures on line items in the budget.

The Treasurer also told the ABC’s Insiders the election would be about the government’s “national economic plan”, outlined in this week’s budget.

Read the full story and watch Morrison’s interview here

11.06am: Shorten back in Beaconsfield

Shorten in Beaconsfield in 2006.
Shorten in Beaconsfield in 2006.

When Bill Shorten arrives in Beaconsfield today, the locals may not recognise him, having lost well over 10kg - maybe even 15kg - after a relentless fitness campaign.

Shorten, wearing a blue suit, white shirt and red tie this morning, has kept his exercise regime relatively low key, unlike former PM Tony Abbott.

Both are fitter today than they were a decade ago. Shorten will use the new look to contrast with Malcolm Turnbull’s relatively advancing years and appearance.

- John Ferguson

10.49am:Credlin pens first column

Peta Credlin. Picture: Sam Ruttyn
Peta Credlin. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

With all the movement and colour ahead of Malcolm Turnbull’s visit to the Governor-General, you may have missed Peta Credlin’s first column in The Sunday Telegraph. There are some cutting paragraphs by Tony Abbott’s former chief of staff. Here are a few of them:

“Yet another election with a Prime Minister we didn’t vote for asking us to trust him versus an Opposition Leader who helped kill off two Prime Ministers saying his party won’t do it again.

You are probably already sick of it and it’s barely started.

As for the politicians and would-be politicians, they just want to win. For Malcolm Turnbull, victory will vindicate his coup against the prime minister we elected last time. Defeat would make him the Liberals’ greatest ever loser. For Bill Shorten, this is his shot at the top job. Win, and he’s a hero. Lose, and he’s a footnote to history.

Both men have grown up believing that they would be prime minister one day and both men have demonstrated they’re prepared to wield the knife to get there.

I was once Turnbull’s deputy chief of staff so I have seen the man behind closed doors. He likes to do things his way and is quick to give the benefit of his wisdom yet he also has that intangible ‘something’ that makes leaders. His challenge will be to accept that he’s not the only expert in the room and listen to the advice of his team — and then to make decisions.”

You may remember one of the big criticisms Mr Abbott received during his prime ministership was that he wasn’t listening to his backbench.

A mantra of his became: “I’ve listened, I’ve learnt, I’ve changed.” It seems Credlin thinks the Prime Minister could face the same problem.

10.00am:So where is Malcolm?

Malcolm Turnbull left his Point Piper home early this morning with his wife, Lucy, stopping only briefly to wish the waiting media a Happy Mother’s Day, reports The Australian’s Elizabeth Colman.

The PM leaving his Point Piper home in Sydney this morning. Picture: Cameron Richardson
The PM leaving his Point Piper home in Sydney this morning. Picture: Cameron Richardson

He headed to nearby Centennial Park for breakfast with his daughter, Daisy and grandson Jack. As Jack played in the children’s park next to the up-market dining room, Mr Turnbull seemed more preoccupied with the notorious Centennial Park ibises stealing Jack’s cake than the historic duty he will perform later today.

Malcolm Turnbull, his wife Lucy and grandson Jack visit a playground in Sydney’s Centennial Park.
Malcolm Turnbull, his wife Lucy and grandson Jack visit a playground in Sydney’s Centennial Park.

It’s expected he will depart Sydney shortly, arriving in Canberra before lunch, and is expected to visit the Governor-general around 1pm.

9.10am:Labor to protect parental leave

Labor has made a Mother’s Day inspired policy announcement. Opposition families spokeswoman Jenny Macklin and Bill Shorten have confirmed Labor would “reverse the cuts” to paid parental leave — they’re calling those cuts the “mother of all insults”. The Abbott government wanted to remove the ability of mothers to “double dip” by accessing both employer and taxpayer-funded parental leave schemes.

The measure was unpopular and the Turnbull government decided to “reconfigure” the proposal late last year. The compromise policy allowed mums to receive 18 weeks of PPL. If their employer scheme covered them at their full wage for less than 18 weeks, they could then claim government payments at the minimum wage for the remainder of that time frame. We already knew Labor was not supportive of the measure.

Bill Shorten in Melbourne this morning. Picture: Eugene Hyland
Bill Shorten in Melbourne this morning. Picture: Eugene Hyland

“Our announcement means that up to 80,000 mums each year will receive up to a $11,800 in the paid parental leave scheme, which Malcolm Turnbull is proposing to cut in his last budget of Tuesday night,” the Opposition Leader declares.

Social Services Minister Christian Porter had conceded the compromise policy would not be legislated ahead of the election because it did not have the necessary support in the Senate, but has indicated the government would again look at restricting PPL payments if it is re-elected.

Quizzed by The Australian about the paid parental leave policy, Shorten had to defer to Jenny Macklin to explain the detail of the Labor plan.

9.02am:Bowen clean-shaven and serious

Chris Bowen, sans beard, today.
Chris Bowen, sans beard, today.

Meanwhile, a freshly shaven opposition treasury spokesman Chris Bowen is being interviewed on Sky News’s Australian Agenda program. He is in serious election mode, declaring Malcolm Turnbull and Scott Morrison are simply “not up to the job”. He insists Labor has led the debate from opposition and is ready to govern.

Here are a couple of his attacks on the PM — you’ll be familiar with them if you’ve heard some of Mr Bowen’s or Bill Shorten’s press conferences in recent months.

Bowen, with beard, on Friday.
Bowen, with beard, on Friday.

“We’ve had thought bubble after thought bubble, we’ve had policies that are floated and walked away from. We’ve had the biggest reform in the federation announced in a park and then die 48 hours later.

“Malcolm Turnbull has walked away from everything he ever believed (in). His whole pitch to voters which was somehow or other he was a moderate, sensible, sort of Labor style guy in the Liberal Party so he got the best of both worlds. He’s walked away from all of those beliefs. And that is a very legitimate thing for us to point out.”

For the record, Mr Bowen has says he’s an “Aussie bloke who sometimes shaved” and today he shaved. “There’s never been a more exciting time to grow a beard and there’s never been a more exciting time to shave it off … I’m an Aussie guy like many Aussie guys who don’t mind the occasional beard.”

Mr Bowen was on Sky News for close to an hour. Here’s a short breakdown of some of what he spoke about:

The temporary deficit levy. He’s asked if it would become an extended temporary levy under Labor or be made permanent. He says when the fiscal circumstances allow “of course” Labor would review all tax rates.

“But we believe with all the budget pressure, the AAA rating under pressure, the need to get back to budget balance, taking the deficit levy off when the deficit has tripled is simply not justified.”

He again points to the “extraordinary” moment last week when the government’s centrepiece budget policy was “put into a witness protection program” because they didn’t want to reveal how much the 10-year “enterprise tax plan” cost.

Negative gearing gets a guernsey, as does the government’s changes to superannuation — Mr Bowen is at pains to point out they are “retrospective” changes, which Labor rejects.

The government is under pressure after it announced it would apply new taxes on existing retirement savings that exceed $1.6 million, and Labor is out to seize those concerns.

“We would not have done it this way. Bill Shorten and I as prime minister and treasurer, if somebody comes to us with a proposal for a retrospective tax, they’ll get short shrift … because it is an important principle. It used to be the case that both parties believed that, now it appears only we do.”

Mr Bowen reveals he wrote to Scott Morrison a few weeks back proposing a minimum of three debates between them — one at the National Press Club, one on the ABC and one on Sky News. The Treasurer is yet to reply.

“For an eight-week campaign we’ve got plenty of time. The economy’s front and centre. I’m looking forward to debating the Treasurer and I certainly hope he would agree to at least three debates during the campaign.”

8.44am:‘Mother’s Day now Turnbull’s day’

Jacqui Lambie. Picture: Kym Smith
Jacqui Lambie. Picture: Kym Smith

Independent Tasmanian senator and single mother of two Jacqui Lambie has taken issue with Malcolm Turnbull calling the election today, on Mother’s Day. She filmed a short video for Weekend Sunrise yesterday.

“I’m really disappointed. Mother’s Day is a very special family day for most Australians and it doesn’t need to be spoiled. I’m going to be spending Mother’s Day with my family and what I want to do know is why didn’t the PM call the election today - being Saturday - or on Monday? Mother’s Day doesn’t need to be turned into Turnbull’s day.”

8.40am:Turnbull ‘seriously out of touch’

Bill Shorten has been interviewed on Weekend Sunrise, painting his party as one that has a “far better grip of how people really live their lives”.

“I think he (Malcolm Turnbull) is a seriously out of touch Prime Minister and his government has seriously out of touch policies. By contrast we’ll stand up for penalty rates, that’s what people need to be able to make ends meet,” the Opposition Leader tells the Seven Network.

He’s heading to Beaconsfield this afternoon where he’ll hold a doorstop to kick off the campaign. Why Beaconsfield? He was national secretary of the AWU when the mine collapsed and prides himself on the work that was done in the aftermath to free two of the miners.

“A lot of the values which made me the union rep I was at Beaconsfield and elsewhere, they’re still there and they’re very strong to who I am,” he told 3AW radio last month.

Bill Shorten says Labor have a “far better grip of how people really live their lives”.
Bill Shorten says Labor have a “far better grip of how people really live their lives”.

Shorten also told the Seven Network the election is about policies not personalities.

“It’s not about Malcolm Turnbull or myself, it’s about the people of Australia,” he said.

Shorten said Australians will be looking for positive plans for jobs, for Medicare and education, a fairer taxation system, housing affordability for first homebuyers and real action on climate change.

Treasurer Scott Morrison insists his government’s national economic plan - otherwise known as the budget - is what Australia needs most.

“They also need a government that knows how to stop the boats ... and to ensure they stay stopped,” he told ABC TV, questioning whether Mr Shorten had the mettle to do so.

7.40am:Coalition, Labor 50-50

As the PM prepares to ask for a double-dissolution election, a new opinion poll has Labor and the coalition neck and neck.

The first post-budget Galaxy poll commissioned by The Sunday Telegraph indicates the two major parties are locked at 50-50 on a two party preferred basis.

The coalition still leads Labor on primary votes, 42 to 36 per cent.

7.35am:The state of play

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES: (150 seats) Coalition 90 Labor 55 Greens 1 Independents 4

THE SENATE: (76 seats) Coalition 33 Labor 25 Greens 10 Crossbench 8

TO WIN MAJORITY GOVERNMENT

* Labor needs to gain 21 seats on a uniform swing of 4.3 per cent from the 2103 election. On paper, it has three of those seats (Dobell, Paterson and Barton) in the bag following a redistribution of NSW electoral boundaries, but loses the abolished seat of Hunter.

* The coalition can afford to lose 14 of the seats it holds now on a swing to Labor of 3 per cent.

* The latest round of opinion polls has the parties 50-50 - a swing to Labor of 3.5 per cent but not quite enough to win government.

7.30am:PM set to launch July election

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull will visit Governor-General Peter Cosgrove later today to launch the nation on a protracted election campaign culminating with a July 2 poll.

Mr Turnbull has promised this will be a double dissolution election, both houses of parliament dissolved and all 150 House of Representatives seats and 76 Senate places up for election.

In a typical election, all House of Representatives seats but just half the Senate - 38 places - are up for election.

Malcolm Turnbull and wife Lucy pictured in Rose Bay yesterday.
Malcolm Turnbull and wife Lucy pictured in Rose Bay yesterday.

Already politicians have taken to the hustings.

Treasurer Scott Morrison says the government has an economic plan to ensure the economy can transition from the mining investment phase of the boom through to a more diversified economy. Opposition Leader Bill Shorten declared the election will be fought on the issue of education.

Greens leader Richard Di Natale declared they had never been in better shape and were hoping to pick up a swag of lower house seats.

In her first television interview since Mr Turnbull became Prime Minister, Peta Credlin described the upcoming election as “the government’s to lose”.

First poll off the mark post-budget was Seven-ReachTel, which put the two-party result at 50-50.

It found 33 per cent of voters believed they would be worse off from the budget, 59 per cent said “about the same” and only seven per cent thought they’d be better off.

Labor needs a national swing of 4.3 per cent to pick up 21 seats to unseat the government after only one term.

The July 2 poll will be the first double dissolution election since 1987. There have only been six double dissolution elections since Federation.

Should Malcolm Turnbull be re-elected he will likely make good on his threat to hold a joint sitting of parliament to pass controversial legislation to reinstate the building unions watchdog.

A joint sitting of parliament - which would involve all 150 MPs and 76 senators - has happened just once before.

In 1974 the re-elected Labor government of Gough Whitlam used its combined majority in the House of Representatives and Senate to overcome coalition intransigence in the Senate to give Australia Medicare.

ELECTION 2016:Read all The Australian’s election news and opinion, here

- With AAP

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Rosie LewisPolitical Correspondent

Rosie Lewis is The Australian’s Political Correspondent. She began her career at the paper in Sydney in 2011 as a video journalist and has been in the federal parliamentary press gallery since 2014. Lewis made her mark in Canberra after breaking story after story about the political rollercoaster unleashed by the Senate crossbench of the 44th parliament. More recently, her national reporting includes exclusives on the dual citizenship fiasco, women in parliament and the COVID-19 pandemic. Lewis has covered policy in-depth across social services, health, indigenous affairs, agriculture, communications, education, foreign affairs and workplace relations.

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Original URL: https://www.theaustralian.com.au/federal-election-2016/federal-election-2016-turnbull-to-launch-campaign/news-story/3d577451288ae3aa5b2bad6e36ea4a9f