Labor's dramatic declaration of election date overshadows Peter Dutton's policies

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Two warriors of the right and left of the Australian parliament have begun their five-week face-off as the nation heads to the polls.

Anthony Albanese declared he was “born ready” as he strode into the parliamentary courtyard in Canberra to confirm the election would be held on the third of May.

The meant many were likely finishing their breakfast as the prime minister delivered a message of optimism in “uncertain times” and a nation turning an economic corner.

“Only Labor has the plan to make you better off over the next three years,” he said holding up a Medicare card as a symbol of .

Anthony Albanese holds up a Medicare card as he speaks to the press.

Anthony Albanese has made healthcare spending a key plank of his election platform. Source: AAP / Lukas Coch

Labor’s theatrical strategy for announcing the poll managed to draw significant oxygen from Coalition policy revelations the night before.

The ink on the Opposition leader’s Thursday night budget reply speech was barely dry when he hot-footed it from the nation’s capital back to his home state of Queensland to deliver his opening campaign address.

Peter Dutton’s rallying call is his assertion that Australia is going backwards under Labor and the nation can’t afford three more years of the same approach.

The Coalition’s election slogan was printed on the podium and repeated on the backdrop “Let’s get Australia back on track”.

Peter Dutton stands at a lecturn that shows a sign saying 'Let's get Australia back on track'

Peter Dutton chose to give his first campaign speech in Brisbane, not Canberra. Source: AAP / Jono Searle

There are now for voters to weigh up.

Labor raced the income tax cut through the parliament before calling the election. At a cost of $17 billion over three years, it’s been labelled a “top up” on the Stage 3 tax cuts already being delivered.

The Coalition has vowed to , instead proposing an immediate but temporary 25 cent cut to the fuel excise at a cost of $6 billion.

The Opposition said it would not stand in the way of the $150 dollar energy bill rebate Labor has offered but is now prosecuting a long-term energy policy plan for a

That’s the bridging solution put forward as the Coalition pursues nuclear power — though that could be a decade away.

The prime minister warned that now was not the time for “cutting and wrecking, for aiming low, punching down or looking back” and warned against adopting the policies of other countries.

Dutton called the prime minister “weak” and “incompetent” and characterised comparisons between his policies and those of the Trump administration as a “sledge-a-thon”.

Labor has a slim two seat majority and, with so many electorates in play, it’s aware there’s a lot to lose if campaign messages don’t land.

The Coalition only won 53 seats at the last election, and even though redistributions suggest they now notionally hold 57, it’s still a steep mountain to climb to claim 19 more seats and govern outright.

As they traverse the country’s marginal seats to sell their policies, both leaders are also aware they’re not just fighting each other for votes. The march of the growing crossbench continues to gather strength.

Their messages are directed not just at voters — but also those politicians they may need to woo if the nation delivers a .

Pollsters have been testing the vote across the country, with special attention paid to marginal seats.

Across the board, they’re reporting the support base for the major parties is soft and many Australians are feeling disengaged or haven’t made up their minds.

That’s particularly the case in the outer suburbs of Sydney and Melbourne where a swathe of marginal seats are considered ‘in play’.

If those polls are accurate, this election will be won or lost in the campaign.

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Labor’s dramatic declaration of election date overshadows Peter Dutton’s policies

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Labor’s dramatic declaration of election date overshadows Peter Dutton’s policies

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