This is the first in a series of briefings looking at the past week in the campaign.
The worst kept secret was confirmed last Friday at 8am when Prime Minister Anthony Albanese stepped up to announce the much-anticipated Federal election will be held on Saturday May 3.
The delay in calling the election, initially speculated to be held on April 12, has meant attention turned to Dutton and his opposition with particular attention focusing on opposition Treasury spokesman Angus Taylor which looks to have helped the Prime Minister and the Government.
Labor chases seats in Queensland
The first week saw both campaigns crossing the country with the Prime Minister hitting Queensland for the first full day of the campaign. This is in stark contrast to the 2022 election where Queensland was not considered the battleground state it had been in previous elections.
This time around the Labor Party is seeking to pick up seats in the sunshine state to offset expected losses elsewhere with the PM kicking off the first full day in the Opposition Leader’s seat of Dickson. This is likely to both support the local campaign in a marginal seat but also seeks to distract the Opposition Leader.
For his part the Opposition leader also made an interesting choice early on to visit the very safe Labor seat of Mackellar held by Chris Bowen seeking to highlight the cost of energy under Labor. Both sides showed a sense of fun in these early days – this is unlikely to last the length of the campaign.
Price gouge stoush & WA focus
The PM dropped a significant announcement on the first weekend committing to making supermarket price gouging illegal in recognition of the ongoing cost of living challenges many voters are facing.
After his visit to Dickson the PM went North to a seat Labor has very little chance of picking up but took the opportunity to spruik the iconic Bundaberg Brewed Drinks likely in anticipation of Trump’s Tarriffs announcement.
The PM’s trip to Perth was his 30th since winning in 2022. He announced a multi-million-dollar joint upgrade to Midland Hospital in the Labor-held seat of Hasluck. During the visit, Albanese stood alongside Premier Roger Cook, highlighting their strong friendship, particularly as Cook was recently re-elected.
Additionally, Labor revealed that the official campaign launch for the 2025 election will take place in Perth. This will be the first time a federal leader has launched consecutive campaigns in the city, following the successful strategy of 2022. A number of senior cabinet ministers, including Jim Chalmers, Richard Marles, Penny Wong, and Mark Butler, were also in Western Australia this week.
Opposition Leader Peter Dutton visited several Perth seats on Wednesday and Thursday, including attending the campaign launch for Liberal candidate Jan Norberger in Pearce. Dutton announced a new $600 million “Ag and Mining Roads” fund, although it’s unclear how much of this will be allocated to WA. He also pledged $100 million to reinstate the Junior Minerals Exploration Incentive, which had been omitted from the recent federal budget.
Dutton’s trip included a brief stop in Busselton, within the federal seat of Forrest, which is represented by retiring Liberal MP Nola Marino. Liberal candidate Ben Small was also present. In Busselton, Dutton announced $16.2 million for an airport upgrade before quickly returning to his plane, completing the entire visit in under 30 minutes.
Dutton spotlights Victoria
The Opposition leader made a visit to Brisbane, Dickson and the seat of Moreton before heading south. Moreton is an interesting seat due to the retirement of the popular 20 year member this election. Labor expects to hold but as a long-term marginal seat, the loss of incumbency is a challenge for Labor to overcome.
The Opposition hit the battleground seat of Werriwa in NSW. The historically Labor seat, the Liberal leader needs will need this seat in his pathway to government calculations.
Peter Dutton then spent a significant amount of time in Victorian seats during the week. It is widely considered that the unpopularity of the State Premier is likely to deliver Victorian seats to the Liberal leader.
Seats like Aston, unexpectedly won in the 2023 by election, and the marginal seats of Chisholm and McEwan are in play, but unexpectedly so too are the safer Labor seats of Hawke and Bruce cost of living challenges an issue top of mind for these voters.
Expect the Opposition Leader to be spending more time in Victoria in the weeks ahead.
The Opposition leader ended the week in the West targeting the former Liberal held seats lost in 2022.
‘Liberation Day’ intervenes
President Trump’s “liberation day” tariffs caused an unnecessary distraction during the week given their significant implications for the Australian economy and exporters.
The Government were swift to announce a plan that included financial support for the key sectors hit by the tariffs. Significantly the Government also announced a new $1billion fund to sit as part of the National Reconstruction Fund Corporation (NRFC).
Dutton approach was slower off the mark and less detailed but still committed to fighting for Australia’s interests proposing to seek further opportunities to negotiate with the Trump administration.
Where are the minor parties?
The minor and independent campaigns failed to feature much in the first week with the exception of the outrage leveled at the husband of Monique Ryan removing an opponent’s campaign signage.
The independent Teal campaigns are almost exclusively localised and result in quite intense ground campaigns so these sorts of stoushes are common.
The One Nation and Trumpet of Patriots were quiet this week. The usual questions were raised about Palmer’s candidate selection process and Hanson’s staff vetting but otherwise not alot policy wise.
Pre-poll details will be announced on Monday and will likely start in the week following the Easter weekend. The Easter + Anzac Day Public Holidays will have an impact on the number of days it will run for, and given the trend of voters opting to vote early expect these booths to be busy in the lead up to polling day.
With the close of nominations this week, and the inability for parties to switch out candidates the next week can bring a greater focus on candidates histories.
Otherwise with only 18 days until people start to vote expect big vote winning pitches from all parties in the coming days.
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