Federal Election 2019: Day 7 of the campaign

The Coalition will pour millions of dollars into gas fracking in northern Australia if it's re-elected. But it hasn't won the support of Indigenous groups. FOLLOW THE CAMPAIGN LIVE  

The coalition has committed $8.4 million to speed up fracking and develop onshore gas in the NT’s Beetaloo Basin if it wins the federal election.

Developing the gas resource would help boost jobs and reduce domestic gas prices, Resources and Northern Australia Minister Matt Canavan said in Darwin.

The $8.4 million would be used for environmental baseline work, a feasibility study and an Aboriginal economic strategy to support Beetaloo Basin’s development.

“This is a great resource here in the NT, one that can provide a huge boost to the Territory’s economy and benefit east coast consumers as well,” Mr Canavan said.

“We want to ensure guaranteed supply of competitively-priced gas for households and businesses, and one way to do that is accelerate production from the Beetaloo Basin.”

Nationals Senator Canavan was campaigning with Country Liberal candidates, Solomon’s Kathy Ganley and Lingiari hopeful Jacinta Nampijinpa Price, who are contesting Labor-held NT seats.

The NT Labor government lifted a moratorium on fracking last year after strict environmental conditions recommended by a scientific inquiry were accepted. Ms Ganley said the inquiry found that developments in the Beetaloo could create more than 6500 full-time jobs.

A protest was outside the NT parliament this week to mark a year since the ban on fracking was lifted.

Elliott-region Indigenous Traditional Owner Raymond Dixon said “our people have not given proper consent to these activities, yet fracking companies are out on country now, land-clearing, taking water and preparing sites for fracking.”

Meanwhile, Billionaire Clive Palmer is expected to officially announce tomorrow he'll be running for a Queensland Senate seat - not for the Townsville electorate of Herbert. 

News Corp reported last month Mr Palmer had backed away from his initial intention to run for Herbert, the country's most marginal seat and the location of his former Queensland Nickel refinery.  

Mr Palmer's office confirmed an announcement would be made tomorrow. 

Earlier, Nationals MP George Christensen deleted a tweet he sent from The Philippines in 2017 attacking other MPs for using taxpayer-funded travel.  

"All of these MPs billing family holidays on taxpayers. Maybe axe MPs' family travel or limit to Canberra. What other job provides this perk?" Mr Christensen wrote. 

After it was pointed out on Twitter that Mr Christensen was in the Philippines when he sent the tweet, the Queensland MP promptly deleted it.

Scott Morrison is fighting for votes in Tasmania while Bill Shorten's been grilled on superannuation in Perth. 

Follow all the developments in our live blog: 

Originally published as Federal Election 2019: Day 7 of the campaign