Australian politics and news recap: What you need to know about Liberal and Labor campaign launches

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Peter Dutton has addressed the Coalition’s plans to assist small business around Australia.

“After the 3rd of May, if we are given a great honour of forming the next government, we will be supporting small business from day one,” Mr Dutton says.

“We’ve got tax cuts coming in instant asset write-off of $30,000. After two years, a deduction of up to $20,000 for business related meal expenses. That tax relief will allow small businesses to take their staff out for a meal to celebrate a work achievement, and it will drive more customers through the doors of our cafes, of our restaurants, of our pubs and our clubs.

“Many of those businesses have been hit particularly hard by this government.

“A Coalition Government will also address critical skills shortages across the economy, to help small and medium businesses put on a new apprentice or trainee, or provide $12,000 to help them cover the costs of the first two years of training that employee. \

“Our target is to reach $400,000 apprentices and trainees in training across this great country.”

Peter Dutton is et to come down hard on the CFMEU and environemntal defence office.

“We will defund the activist led environmental defence office that stymied projects across the country and we do that because it has been funded by the Labor Party to stop these projects in Western Australia from going ahead,” Mr Dutton says.

“We will halve the project approval times and we will tackle the criminal elements in our building industry.

“As you know, a criminal operation is ripping off Australians and undermining productivity. They are stalling housing and infrastructure construction across the country, and they are driving up costs.

“We will put a stop to this modern day mafia in the form of the CFMEU and we will deregister that organisation.”

Mr Dutton is powering through his list of Coalition biggest hits and has now switched to energy bill relief, spruiking his plan to reduce household electricity bills by around three per cent in 2026 through a cornerstone east coast gas reservation policy.

He stresses his ambition to introduce nuclear power to Australia, joining “the other top 19 economies in the world in adopting proven, zero-emissions nuclear power.”

“If we win this election, Australia will become a nuclear powered nation,” he says.

“Our sensible plan – which uses a mix of technologies – has been independently costed at 44 per cent cheaper than Labor’s plan.

That’s a saving of $263 billion to Australians through to 2050.”

Mr Dutton has now switched to his keynote tax pledges, including a new “significant tax cut” to help struggling Australians.

“A Coalition Government will deliver a one-off Cost-of-Living Tax Offset.”

“This will reduce the amount of tax paid by up to $1,200 for millions of Australians,” he says.

“Around 85 per cent of all Australian taxpayers will be eligible for – and benefit from – this reduction in tax.

“That is, Australians earning an annual taxable income of up to $144,000.”

Mr Dutton says these tax cuts will save families with two incomes as much as $2,400, in a major appeal to wavering voters who are looking for financial relief.

The crowd cheers when Mr Dutton asks, “Do I think the Coalition can win this election?”

“Absolutely I do. We can – and we must.”

His speech is wide-ranging, touching on hip-pocket struggles by individual families to national security and protecting the nation’s borders.

Another cheer is raised when he turns to the Coalition’s policies to slash fuel excise and Labor’s taxes on vehicle emissions.

He accuses Prime Minister Anthony Albanese of being out of touch, to shouts of “shame!” in the room.

“We will scrap Labor’s family car and ute tax.”

“We support choice – including those who choose to buy an electric vehicle. But Australians shouldn’t be penalised for choosing to buy a petrol, diesel or hybrid vehicle over an EV,” he says.

“In abolishing Labor’s unfair car and ute tax, we will save Australians an extra $9,700 for choosing a RAV4 hybrid and an extra $14,400 for choosing a Ford Ranger – Australia’s two most popular cars.”

Mr Dutton immediately launched into a cost-of-living pain discussion in his bid to reach voters suffering under the burden of spiking household bills.

He aims his speech at, “Australians who are really hurting from soaring bills and rent and mortgage stress. Australians who can’t get an appointment for a GP.”

Then a switch to community safety, “Australians who have seen increased crime in their communities. Australians who are worried about the future.”

Mr Dutton makes his appeal: “I say to Australians, it doesn’t have to be like this. There is a clear choice at this election.

“Between more of the same under Labor – a weaker, less secure, and worse off Australia. Or much needed change under the Coalition – for a stronger, safer, and better Australia.”

Opposition Leader Peter Dutton has now taken to the stage for his flagship campaign speech, thanking his supporters and former prime ministers’ in the room.

“There is so much we can be proud of as a Coalition family and as a Liberal family,” he said.

He has thanked his parliamentary colleagues and gives a shout out to the key battleground seat in Sydney where the launch is being staged.

Mr Dutton saaid his thoughts and prayers are with those who lost loved ones in the Bondi knife attack, one year ago today.

“We want a safe environment for our families,” he said, alluding to one of the Coalition’s key pitches to voters.

The launch is being peppered with videos with an emotional edge to show Peter Dutton’s personal side.

The tone has switched from one of thundering political pledges, to warmer messages from constituents he has helped through his career and Mr Dutton’s wife and children checking on his welfare during the campaign.

The crowd chuckles at his daughter teasing his nickname of “Mr Potatohead” and his wife gently mocking his awry football kick last week that injured a nearby cameraman.

Security is tight at the venue after a number of gatecrashers have interrupted both the Prime Minister and Peter Dutton’s campaigns.

But Greenpeace activists are outside the venue, staging their “nuclear clean up” warning to voters, urging people to vote against the Coalition’s plans to introduce nuclear energy to Australia.

Inside the venue, the audience of Coalition supporters are enthused by campaign ads in between speeches, reminding them of Labor’s failed Voice referendum in its first year of office and the Opposition’s promise to keep Australia safer.

Deputy Leader Sussan Ley has now taken to the stage – the third in a line-up ahead of Mr Dutton’s much awaited address.

“He is ready, he is capable, he is the right man for the right moment,” she says of Mr Dutton.