Election Tracker: Day 11 — Tony in Sydney … Gillard in Radelaide … Swan in 7.30 Reportland

The campaign finally sparked into life yesterday, as the media had a field day with Laurie Oakes’ leaked cabinet bombshell. The revelations sent Julia Gillard into damage control, as she fronted the media during her first foray into South Australia. Tony Abbott remained in Sydney, where he fired a few broadsides at Gillard whilst announcing a cut in the company tax. But the big story of the day was the return of the Chaser, which, according to a snap Crikey poll, had some good bits and some ordinary bits.

So, after 11 days of ruthless campaigning, Tony’s Stand up for Australia Spaceship is still leading the frequent flyer race with 16,909km, while Julia Gillard’s Pork Barrell Parade remains well behind on 10,894km. Together the pair have covered an extraordinary 27,803km.

Gillard:

• Julia Gillard visited her hometown of Adelaide for the first time yesterday morning, where she defended herself against leaked cabinet allegations she opposed two of the former Rudd government’s landmark welfare increases. During a cagey press conference held in Adelaide, Gillard passionately defended her record on paid parental leave and a pension increases. “I have devoted my adult life to what I have advocated, to who I am, to the question of equality between men and women in this country,” Gillard said.
• Gillard also announced a $100 million pledge to improve stormwater drains across Australia. Gillard said the funds would be used for stormwater projects that will help secure water supplies across Australia, with a project in eastern Adelaide set to be given $10 million first.

Abbott:

• Tony Abbott has promised a 1.5% cut to company tax if it wins government, taking the rate to 28.5%. The announcement, which was made in Sydney, would cost $2.1 billion a year and would be funded out of Coalition savings already identified. According to Abbott, the Coalition company tax rate would be 0.5% lower than what the government has promised.
• Abbott also made a short visit to his electorate of Warringah yesterday morning, where he attempted to speak to some of his constituents. Unfortunately, the locals didn’t seem too talkative, which is unsurprising considering the press pack that follows Abbott around.

Gaffe Watch:

• It wasn’t really a gaffe, but Wayne Swan’s effort on the 7.30 Report last night deserves a mention for degree of difficulty. Swan drew the short straw and spoke with Kerry O’Brien on the day that saw the government try to limit the fall-out from damaging cabinet leaks. Facing extreme pressure, Swan did make one small admission: “We can’t control leaks and I certainly can’t predict where they’re coming from,” he said.

Quotable:

• “I don’t know who she is, but I wouldn’t mind going out to dinner with her! … It’s a rather spectacular photo. I mean, good luck to her, I’ve got no problem with people doing themselves up, but some of those photos it’s just, I don’t know, it’s not the same lady I get in the lift with.” — Barnaby Joyce on Julia Gillard’s Women’s Weekly cover shoot.

What the Daily Telegraph say:

• Crisis over people, Kelly Rowland has revealed her pick for the federal election:

Where are they today?

• It’s the battle of Melbourne, with both leaders in the southern capital campaigning. Julia Gillard is heading to suburban Blackburn this morning where she is due to give a speech at the Multiple Sclerosis Australia Nerve Centre at 9:30am.
• Tony Abbott is due to make a policy announcement in the CBD (the timing and location, to date, undisclosed). He’ll make his first trip to Adelaide later today.
• Bob Brown meanwhile is in Sydney, campaigning with Senate candidate Lee Rhiannon in Dulwich Hill where the pair will launch the Greens’ ‘Denticare’ policy for a universal primary health scheme at lunchtime.

What is the tracker?

Crikey tracks each leader’s amazing race across the country via our Election Tracker. Each day we’ll plot the leaders’ movements, feeding in the key policy announcements and spending commitments, the best media coverage and social media chat, plus the campaign stunts and bloopers. You can also use the tracker as a hub for the best Crikey coverage.

Click on the tabs across the top to watch how many kilometres Gillard and Abbott have clocked up, the movements of other key players and finally our bloopers and stunts bonanza on the right. You can click on each stop to see what they’re up to, with links to extended coverage and detailed electorate information.