Home
live

Australian news and politics live: Dutton says Coalition will win as final YouGov poll predicts carnage

Max Corstorphan and Kimberley BraddishThe Nightly
CommentsComments
The AFP have told Peter Dutton not to attend an in-person interview over security concerns.
Camera IconThe AFP have told Peter Dutton not to attend an in-person interview over security concerns. Credit: Dan Peled/Getty Images

Scroll down for the latest news and updates.

Key Events

PM dodges prickly nature positive question
PM ‘would’ like another crack at truth in advertising laws
PM in WA primary school, spruiking Labor’s education policies
Albanese welcomed by cheering Perth kids
The latest poll shows Coalition carnage
‘We’re going to win’: Dutton’s response to resignation questions
Dutton says nuclear is ‘too far away to contemplate’
Dutton stirs generation concern over capital gains
AFP issue security warning for Dutton
Dutton distances himself from controversial sect
PM says ‘he’s off the beers’ with ‘exceptions’
Dutton asked why he is not standing next to popular Queensland premier
How will Dutton reach young voters?
Dutton accuses Labor of having ‘secret plan’ on Indigenous Voice
Dutton fields questions about Coalition costing details
Peter Dutton is starting his day in his own electorate
Dutton asked if he needs “Scott Morrison” style miracle
Littleproud reckons ABC should ‘stick to news’, declines agreeing with Dutton ‘hate media’ comments
Dutton proud to be ‘pushing hard against big media media companies’
Voice debate continues as Deputy PM asked to explain
Wells dismisses Coalition costings
Peter Dutton in his own seat of Dickson
Liberals amp up economic claims ahead of costings reveal
Reporting LIVE

Ellen Ransley

PM dodges prickly nature positive question

Labor’s nature positive agenda has dogged the Federal Government in WA this term, and on Thursday, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese was asked about what a new version would look like, and whether it will be compliant.

The PM said it will be in accordance with the Samuels Review.

“You will see the legislation when it is done. What we will do is not pre-empt processes of consultation,” he said.

“We engage with industry... we will treat people with respect, engage constructively with the WA Government and other state governments as well, and we will produce an outcome that is very positive.”

Ellen Ransley

PM ‘would’ like another crack at truth in advertising laws

The Prime Minister took questions in the seat of Tangney, and it was put to him that this election has been “characterised by mistruths and accusations of lying all around”.

“Is that why he didn’t pursue the truth in political advertising legislation as vigorously as he could have? And would he like to have another crack at it?” a journalist asked.

“I would,” he said.

“We tried to do a range of legislation, which we didn’t have support for them from the Coalition.”

Nicola Smith

PM in WA primary school, spruiking Labor’s education policies

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has spoken from Winthrop Primary School with WA Premier Roger Cook in the seat of Tangney.

Mr Albanese used the occasion to spruik Labor’s education and childcare policies, including the three-day guarantee for cheaper childcare, that he says the Coalition will scrap.

“They’ve said that they’ll bring back the activity test that makes it harder, particularly for disadvantaged parents, whether that be a single parent or people from disadvantaged positions to get access to childcare,” he said.

The PM hit out at the Coalition for cutting funding for education and health, accusing them of ripping $30b out of education in the 2014 budget.

He said Labor will deliver better and fairer schools under a $16.5b deal with every state and territory government.

Mr Albanese also accused the Coalition of backflipping over potential changes to school curriculums and of “looking for culture wars in every corner.”

Max Corstorphan

Albanese welcomed by cheering Perth kids

Prime Minister Anthony Albanase has been given a rock star welcome at Winthrop Primary School in Perth.

Attending with WA Premier Roger Cook, the PM ran towards the excited crowd of kids who were eagerly awaiting his arrival.

VideoAnthony Albanese has been welcomed by cheering kids at Winthrop Primary School in Western Australia.

Mr Cook introduced the kids to his important guests, starting with “Hugo’s mum”, who happens to be the state MP Kim Giddens.

Mr Albanese then took questions from three students, who wanted to know what the best part of being PM was, what his daily schedule was like and what his plan was for a better future.

“I feel like I’ve been campaigning for 11 years!” Mr Albanese told one of the kids.

Max Corstorphan

The latest poll shows Coalition carnage

Federal Labor will govern with a clear majority while the coalition will suffer its worst election result in 80 years, if YouGov’s final poll before the election comes true.

YouGov’s modelling points to an 84-seat win for the government, out of 150 lower house seats, to return Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to The Lodge for a second term. The winning party needs 76 seats for a majority.

Under this scenario, the Coalition will drop to 47 seats - a net loss of 11 - meaning Opposition Leader Peter Dutton will have led his party to its worst seat total since 1946.

Liberal frontbenchers David Coleman, Michael Sukkar and Dan Tehan would all lose their seats.

All of the sitting independents are tipped to retain their seats, while independent challengers are tipped to win Calare, Cowper, Wannon and Bradfield from the Coalition.

Read the full story.

Max Corstorphan

‘We’re going to win’: Dutton’s response to resignation questions

Opposition Leader Peter Dutton said on Thursday that Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will not make it to the end of another term if he wins the Federal election.

Mr Dutton also speculated that if Mr Albanese loses the election, Treasurer Jim Chalmers and Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek would have an “unholy row” over Labor’s top job.

When asked by 2SM host Chris Smith if he would step down if the Coalition lost the 2025 election, Mr Dutton said, “We are going to win on Saturday.

“Firstly, let’s save our country from three more years of Labor,” he said.

“We’re going to do it because we’ve put in the hard work.

“We’ve been an incredible united opposition and we have the policies which, I think, will address the cost of living pressures, realise the dream again of home ownership for young Australians and make sure that we can keep our country and our community safe and we’re the only alternative at this election going forward with a policy to clamp down and to wipe out bikie gangs and others who are bringing drugs and illicit tobacco across our borders and that’s what’s made our communities less safe.”

Max Corstorphan

Albo, Cook head to school with WA kids

Anthony Albanese is visiting Winthrop Primary School with WA Premier Roger Cook this morning, in the seat of Tangney.

The two will speak with principal Karina Meldrum before meeting students from Years 4, 5 and 6.

Tangney is Labor’s most marginal seat in WA.

This is the PM’s fourth visit to WA during the campaign, underscoring the importance for Labor of holding onto all of its nine seats in the State.

Max Corstorphan

Dutton says nuclear is ‘too far away to contemplate’

Opposition Leader Peter Dutton says the start date for the Coalition’s nuclear plan is “too far away to contemplate”, explaining why it took a back seat in his 2025 Federal election campaign.

“It’s just not been a huge issue at this election, either for or against,” Mr Dutton told Chris Smith on Sydney’s 2SM during a Thursday morning interview.

“I think people have prioritised other issues and that’s probably where the campaign’s concentrated.”

During a campaign stop in the teal-held seat of Kooyong on Wednesday night, Mr Dutton was heard saying nuclear was “not a big vote driver this election… people are voting on cost of living.”

“It doesn’t start till 2035,” he added.

Max Corstorphan

Dutton stirs generation concern over capital gains

Opposition Leader Peter Dutton has spoken on Sydney’s 2SM about Labor’s policy relating to unrealised capital gains tax.

“If parents and grandparents are concerned about it, then they really should be having the conversation with their kids and grandkids,” Mr Dutton responded.

“If you have an asset that is in superannuation, for example. You might have a farm in a self-managed super fund, you might not have much cash in there at all.

“It’s like saying to a salaried worker, we want you to pay your tax before you get paid each week.”

AFP issue security warning for Dutton

Opposition Leader Peter Dutton had been told not to attend an in-studio interview in Brisbane on Thursday over security concerns.

ABC Brisbane’s Mornings host Steve Austin told listeners on Thursday that an in-person interview had been cancelled after Australian Federal Police (AFP) advised there was too much risk.

The Opposition Leader instead called into the station for his breakfast radio interview.

Neither Mr Dutton nor Austin provided a specific reason or incident that prompted the AFP advice.

Mr Dutton’s Dickson electoral office has been vandalised several times ahead of the election.

Mr Dutton described it as a “senseless crime” costing taxpayers thousands of dollars in clean-up bills.

“(It’s a) senseless crime that doesn’t achieve anything,” he told Austin on ABC.

“That taxpayers end up paying for the cleanup and refurbishment.”

Get the latest news from thewest.com.au in your inbox.

Sign up for our emails