Australian news and politics recap: Albanese hits out at Dutton for lack of detail, Coalition says it's clear

Peter Dutton has repeated that there will be no change to the Coalition’s stance on an electric vehicle policy.

The Coalition on Wednesday revealed it would halt the $3bn tax break for motorists who buy electric vehicles, two days after Mr Dutton said it would go ahead.

Asked on Thursday to confirm whether any repeal of Labor’s EV tax break would be retrospective, Mr Dutton said “there is no change to the policy, and we have been clear”.

He said he’s been “clear” that the Coalition doesn’t support a tax on the Ford Ranger and other heavy petrol-using cars.

“That was the answer I gave, and you referred to, that we will not support the big tax on cars. I have been clear about that and clear in relation to policies on EV, our policy has not changed.”

Peter Dutton has been forced to clarify what the Coalition’s migration policy is, after his pick for minister created some confusion this morning.

Dan Tehan told ABC Radio this morning the Coalition would cut skilled migration to 150,000 places per year - above the current intake of 130,000. Does that mean the Coalition is in fact proposing an increase?

The Opposition Leader said they would cut permanent migration by 25 per cent.

Does that mean Mr Tehan misspoke? Mr Dutton didn’t answer that question.

Is it concerning that his pick for immigration minister doesn’t know the current migration settings? Mr Dutton says he hasn’t seen the comments.

“I tell you, in terms of our policy, 25 per cent cuts are required,” he said.

“We have a great migration story in our country, but it must be a well-managed migration program.”

Peter Dutton was asked about a news report on social media posts made by the Labor candidate in his seat of Dickson that include sharing a fake image depicting the Liberal leader as a Nazi.

Labor is running Ali France in the marginal outer-Brisbane seat for the third time.

News.com.au reported on Thursday morning Ms France shared an image in 2017 depicting Mr Dutton and then-prime minister Malcolm Turnbull in Nazi uniforms.

Mr Dutton didn’t bite back.

“I haven’t seen the comments,” he tells reporters in Hobart.

Opposition Leader Peter Dutton is in Hobart today, where he’s announced the Coalition’s $90 million domestic violence strategy.

He visited Catholic Care earlier, with his deputy and shadow minister for women Sussan Ley, before holding a press conference with Michaelia Cash and Kerryne Liddle

Ms Ley said their announcement today was “really, really important funding”.

“The scourge of family violence reaches into every corner of this country and into every cohort of Australian society,” she said.

Under the Coalition’s plan, they would establish a national database of domestic violence offenders.

They would also create new laws to crack down on perpetrators who use a mobile phone to cause a victim fear, whether it be via spyware or engaging in coercive behaviours.

The Coalition will also increase the threshold for fast-track property settlements in the family court from $550,000 to $1.5m.

A helpline to support victim-survivors would also be funded by the Coalition.

The strategy, they say, is focused on prevention, early intervention and crisis response.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has wrapped up his time on stage at The West Australian’s Leadership Matters event.

He is expected to do a press conference later this morning while still in Perth.

Ben Harvey has taken the PM through a series of photos and when asked about the first thing that comes to mind when he sees Premier Roger Cook, he says: “Friend”.

“We actually realised the other day we’e known each other since 1984 which is more than 40 years. We must have known each other since kindergarten,” he says.

Good occupational health and safety has been praised in by the Prime Minister at The West Australian’s Leadership Matters forum, with Anthony Albanese able to stay firmly put on stage.

Asked what the worst part of his campaign had been? Falling off a stage, Mr Albanese said.

But he wasn’t worried about another incident, praising the well lit and marked stage in Perth, following his fall in NSW.

Albanese isn’t taking anything for granted in the lead up to the election, even with Labor’s lead in the polls.

“It’s a mountain we have to climb. No one has been re-elected as Prime Minister since John Howard in 2004. We’ve had a revolving door for more than two decades,” he says.

“Tall is one thing,” Anthony Albanese said during the word play game.

“I’m trying to be polite here,” he laughed.

But on the topic of the potential of Mr Zempilas being premier, he was firmer.

“That’s unlikely, he struggled to get his seat,” Mr Albanese said.

The PM is now being asked about the difference between Peter Dutton’s nuclear power plan and Labor’s renewables push.

Albanese notes the private sector is putting money into renewables, “just like individuals are putting solar panels on their roof... it reduces their costs.”

The PM is also asked about the Government’s Future Made in Australia plan. He says there is a “real opportunity” to make more things here, with WA and Queensland best placed to benefit.