Australian politics and news recap: Richard Marles hoses down Russian base rumours, saying it’s ‘not true’

Mr Albanese finishes the press conference asked about revelations the Greens will be holding a dance party fundraiser in Perth on Anzac Day.

The PM says Anzac Day is a “day of respect” and “not a day or normal business as usual”.

“I know that Australians, in their millions, will pause on that day to say those three sacred words: ‘Lest we Forget’.”

There’s been a few light-hearted moments in this press conference, including some Star Wars chat.

The PM is asked for his views on a story out of Canada, where an Australian cafe owner has had their Vegemite banned because it doesn’t meet Canadian standards.

Mr Albanese says he “stands with the Aussie cafe owner”.

“I can confirm here today that I am pro-Vegemite. I actually put a lot of Vegemite on my toast when I ate bread,” he said.

“I love Vegemite. It’s a good thing.”

He said the report was “rather odd”, especially given Canada was letting Marmite in.

“Which is rubbish,” he said referring to the British spread.

“Let’s be clear here: Pro-Vegemite, anti-Marmite. That’s my position.”

Asked why he’s not listening to economic experts who have been critical of Labor’s houing plan, Mr Albanese says he doesn’t believe they have looked at all the detail.

“I’m not sure that I’ve they’ve looked at all of the detail, frankly. Because some of the things that they’ve spoken about don’t match what we’re actually doing... But the key difference between the two approaches is supply,” he said, referring to the competing policies of Labor and the Coalition.

He said he “agrees” that demand-only side measures would push up housing prices.

When pushed multiple times on what Treasury had told Labor about the impact their housing policies would have on house prices - given Treasurer Jim Chalmers has said the modelling shows there won’t be ‘significant’ increases - Mr Albanese wouldn’t say what that means in dollar terms.

The PM says he won’t release cabinet documents.

“I’m not saying that house prices will rise… We don’t release Treasury documentation. You have the figure. The idea that they put a precise dollar (figure) on something is not right,” he said.

The PM has been asked what he would cut, if re-elected, to repair the decade of forecasted budge deficits.

He didn’t directly answer the question, but ruled out cuts to health, education and the ABC.

“I rule out doing what they (Coalition) did, which is ripping $50 billion out of health, $30 billion out of education, ripping money out of the ABC. That’s what they did,” he said.

The awkward interaction between the PM and Environment Minsiter Tanya Plibersek has continued to follow Mr Albanese around today.

Asked why he could guarantee Jim Chalmers, Penny Wong, Richard Marles, Don Farrell and Katy Gallagher would remain in their posts but not Ms Plibersek - Mr Albanese sad there is a “market reason” why economic ministers would be maintained.

“The four leaders get the opportunity to have a direct say in what their portfolios are,” he said.

Asked for a guarantee that Ms Plibersek would remain in the portfolio for three years, Mr Albanese said he gave “the same answer yesterday that I’ll give today”.

“I expect Tanya Plibersek will be a senior cabinet minister. She’s an important member of my team. But I’m not getting ahead of myself and naming all 22 or all - actually, all 42 portfolios - on the frontbench,” he said.

“I’m not getting into that. She’ll be treated exactly as everyone else. But, Tanya Plibersek will play an important role in my government. She’ll be a senior cabinet minister, as she’s continued to be.”

Mr Albanese won’t put the cart before the horse when asked who he thinks will be Australia’s next female prime minister.

“Chances are, it will be a Labor MP, given our gender balance and that we’re majority female,” he said.

“Across the board, I think that (the Coalition) are not moving forward. I think my team is diverse, is representative of the Australian public, and that’s a good thing.”

The PM wouldn’t get ahead of himself when asked who he thinks the first foreign leader he’ll visit will be, should he be re-elected.

Read full story here.

Mr Albanese says he is leading the most united Labor team he has ever seen in his career, when asked if he was concerned about impatience.

The question relates to the PM’s exclusive revelation to The Nightly that he would serve a full term and seek a third go if he is successful on May 3.

“I’m not looking over my back. I’m looking forward. And we have an incredibly united caucus,” he said.

Asked whether it was hubristic and whether he would try and beat Bob Hawke’s record, Mr Albanese reiterated that “if elected, I’ll serve a full term”.

“I think that’s what the Australian people would expect of me. And that is the context of that answer. I’ll tell you what - I don’t take anything for granted on May 3,” he said.

“I’m trying to climb the mountain here. I’m trying to be the first prime minister since John Howard in 2004 (to be re-elected) - it’s been 21 years, we’ve had a revolving door. I don’t think, objectively, that’s in the interests of Australia.”

The PM is asked whether he would be open to having a parliamentary inquiry into AUKUS if he’s re-elected, given several crossbenchers have publicly called for more scrutiny.

Privately, some Labor MPs have raised concerns abot the future of the trilateral security pact under Donald Trump.

Mr Albanese said there’s already a “lot of scrutiny on AUKUS, and there will continue to be so”.

“We support the AUKUS arrangement”.

Opposition leader Peter Dutton’s son Harry is back on the campaign trail for a second day, joining his father at an outer Melbourne construction site.

The 20-year-old made headlines yesterday for fronting the press pack shadowing his dad’s campaign to help Coalition sell their new housing plan.

He spoke about his plight in saving to get into the housing market under Labor.

His appearance, however, sparked questions to Mr Dutton - who reportedly holds a whopping $30 million property portfolio - about whether he would give his son a leg up through the bank of mum and dad.

With 18 days to go until polling day on May 3, opposition leader Peter Dutton has started Tuesday about 50 kilometres north-west of Melbourne in the peri-urban suburb of Maddingley.

The area falls in the federal electorate of Hawke, which is held by the Labor party.

Mr Dutton is expected to drill down further on his new housing scheme for a third day after announcing the policy at his launch on Sunday.

Mr Dutton will hold a press conference at a construction site with shadow housing minister Michael Sukkar and Liberal candidate Simmone Cottam.