Crikey campaign scorecard: six weeks down, finally campaigns launch

WHO WON THE DAY?

Bernard Keane, Crikey politics editor: Not Bob Katter, who, even more so now than in the aftermath of the Orlando shooting, deserves condemnation for his appalling ad joking about political killing. It’s probably even between Malcolm Turnbull — who had to deal with questions about Tony Abbott — and Bill Shorten. The latter is running out of time. He needs a couple more percentage points on the Labor primary vote in the next two weeks and the polls haven’t shifted much at all in the last six. Every day that’s not a win for Shorten makes it tougher and tougher.

Dr Dennis Glover, veteran Labor speechwriter and fellow of Per Capita think tank: Another boring day in our democracy in which no winner can be found. On any other day that would seem an indictment, but after the last week in which political extremism has produced a long list of dead, including now a young British MP, it’s something to be thankful for. We need passion for reasonableness and some intellectual gravity from our leaders; they’re both intelligent people, so it can’t be beyond them. Perhaps even a fortnight without baiting Muslims or refugees. (Herald Sun, are you listening?)

Dr John Hewson, former Liberal Party leader: We now have the bizarre situation where upwards of a third of voters will cast their vote prior to July 2, yet campaign launches are scheduled for this week (Labor) and next weekend (the Coalition), not to mention final costings, and so on. What happened to the days when campaign launches actually “launched” the campaign? I suspect the disengaged electorate has mostly already made up its mind, will vote, and get on with their lives, not expecting too much change, whoever wins.

Simon Banks, managing director at Hawker Britton: The tragic murder of UK Labour MP Jo Cox overnight is a reminder that hatred and intolerance can take many forms. As others have noted, that Turnbull hosted an Iftar dinner last night while Shorten attended a service to commemorate the victims of the homophobic terrorist attack in Orlando are both timely reminders of how important our united and cohesive yet diverse and multicultural society is to Australia’s success. It also something we cannot take for granted and must reaffirm every day. Meanwhile, two weeks out the Coalition are already counting the spoils of victory, with Peter Dutton and others suggesting Abbott should return to the front bench. Coalition stability is a major issue in this campaign; yesterday’s intervention just put those tensions on full display. As has today’s conservative reaction to Turnbull’s dinner. Who won the day? First, Australia. Second, a united Labor Party.

CASH TRACKER

The Coalition was attempting to shore up the seat of Page, which could fall on July 2. Bill Shorten promised to fund a study into replacing the damaged Basslink inter-connector cable with more funding if the study approves the project.

Coalition:

• $25 million to support jobs in the electorate of Page.

Labor:

• $2 million to help make beaches more accessible for the disabled;
• $16 million for stroke awareness; and
• $5 million for a case study of a new “Basslink” inter-connecter cable.

SMELLS LIKE PORK

Labor was dishing up a big barrel of pork this morning, promising to fund some important local services in Tasmania. Bill Shorten pledged $870,000 for three Tasmanian community legal centres, to be split into $450,000 for the Women’s Legal Service, $300,000 for the Hobart Community Legal Service and $120,000 for the Tenants’ Union of Tasmania. In Melbourne there was an announcement by McEwen MP Rob Mitchell of $900,000 to fund new traffic lights in Whittlesea.

CAMPAIGN DIARY

Malcolm Turnbull: The PM began his day with a chat to Neil Mitchell on 3AW’s breakfast radio program where he paid tribute to murdered UK MP Jo Cox before being grilled on live exports, superannuation and Medicare. Then it was off to the electorate of Page in northern NSW where he joined Nationals MP Kevin Hogan, who won the seat in 2013 on a fairly slim margin. Turnbull teamed up with his Nationals counterpart Barnaby Joyce to announce a big funding promise for jobs in the region.

Bill Shorten: The Opposition Leader spent the morning in Tasmania where he pitched his plans to provide training and jobs for young Tasmanians. Before the business of the day began, Shorten also paid tribute to Jo Cox. He then joined Labor member for Franklin Julie Collins to announce a pledge to provide financial support for tourism infrastructure. He received a surprising gift when local Labor supporter Ray turned up to hand him a $100 donation, which will be put to funding the campaign. A very pleased Shorten then signed a copy of his book for Ray.

The Greens: Richard Di Natale began his day with an interview on Sky News where he joined the chorus of tributes to Cox and called on Australians to do more to prevent violent political protests. He later spoke to the ABC’s Triple J where he outlined the Greens’ policies to phase out live exports, end offshore detention and work towards free university education. He also criticised negative gearing, making the point that Australia is the only country that makes it easier to buy your third and fourth homes than your first. The Greens also released their trade policy today, which is firmly opposed to the Trans-Pacific Partnership.

INDEPENDENT. ALWAYS.

Independent Tasmanian MP Andrew Wilkie has called for an end to live exports after the latest revelations of Australian cattle being brutally killed with sledgehammers and butchered alive in Vietnam. In a media release he described Deputy PM Barnaby Joyce as the “Minister for Cruelty” who was celebrating the growth of a “vile trade”. Wilkie went on to describe live exporting as “barbaric”, and called on the Department of Agriculture to immediately put a stop to the practice.

ISENTIA DAILY LEADER INDEX

Some big numbers for Malcolm Turnbull today. The PM claims a solid win in media mentions …

ZINGER OF THE DAY

MALSPLAIN OF THE DAY

MULTICULTURAL MALCOLM

Malcolm Turnbull last night became the first prime minister to host an official Iftar dinner as part of the Islamic holy month of Ramadan. The event was attended by a number of prominent Australian Muslims like Gold Logie winner Waleed Aly, his wife Susan Carland and Richmond footballer Bachar Houli. There was some negative fallout, however, as it later emerged that one of the guests once labelled AIDS as a “divine punishment” for gay people. The Islamic cleric Sheikh Shady Al-Suleiman has been labelled a hate preacher for his past comments, which include calling on God to destroy the enemies of Islam, and punishing women who have premarital sex with 100 lashes. It’s an unfortunate and apparently inadvertent error from Turnbull who has since expressed his regret that the Sheik was invited.

GREENS PREFERENCE COMMON SENSE

Wednesday’s campaign scorecard reported the Greens would preference Fred Nile’s Christian Democratic Party candidate Ula Falaga ahead of the local Liberal candidate — a young, gay, indigenous man — in the seat of Sydney. Although it was never likely to make a real impact, it upset the Greens grassroots supporters and raised the eyebrows of political analysts. The decision was made as a clear statement that the Greens weren’t making preference deals with the Liberal Party, but this was one step too far for their supporters. The local branch of the NSW Greens met yesterday and agreed to change the order of the how-to-vote card and place the CDP candidate last.

THE HOMELESS CANDIDATE

Liberal candidate for McEwen Chris Jermyn could be in breach of electoral laws after it emerged he listed his home address at an empty block of land. He is listed as living on a property in the Victorian town of Christmas Hills, in the electorate of McEwen, but records show his father sold the property almost three years ago. According to the records of Jermyn’s business, Mooter Media, his residential address is in Queens Lane, Melbourne. In addition, a trail of posts on his various social media accounts give the impression he lived in Melbourne as recently as 2014. It’s another blunder from Jermyn, whose campaign has sunk like a man in concrete shoes clutching a lead balloon. He virtually ensured the return of sitting member Rob Mitchell in the marginal electorate when a stunt to ambush Bill Shorten spectacularly backfired last month.

HOMOPHOBIC IS THE NEW BLACK

A campaign poster of Greens candidate for Higgins Jason Ball has been defaced with a homophobic slur. The incredibly witty message — “fag” — was scrawled across one of his posters on window of a local business. Ball decided not to let this one go through to the keeper, releasing a powerful statement on Facebook to condemn bigotry and defend the LGBTI community.

Homophobia has hit both ends of the political spectrum, with Liberal candidate for Goldstein Tim Wilson being told by a constituent that he’d lost her vote. He said the woman approached him at a train station while campaigning to tell him that she’d intended to vote for him, but changed her mind when she found out he was gay. He took insult gracefully and refused to attack the woman, instead taking to social media to discuss the more positive feedback he’d received on the same issue.

“I’ve always believed that part of my life’s purpose is to ensure that I am the last generation that has to put up with this stuff. I’m taking it so others won’t have to.”

QUIRK OF THE DAY

There’s never been a more exciting time to hold a press conference, and the good folks at ABC News have put together this short video tribute to Malcolm Turnbull’s excitable nature …

TWEET OF THE DAY

It’s a draw today — there was some quality back-and-forth tweeting this morning between @2FBS and @ainsindahouse who shared their thoughts on Turnbull’s dinner with Sheikh Shady Al-Suleiman …

In other news, it seems paisley ties are making a comeback. Very trendy, George.

TL;DR

Malcom Turnbull is in the marginal electorate of Page in northern NSW where he made a big jobs promise. Bill Shorten spent the day in Tasmania where he announced funding to investigate a new Basslink cable. Richard Di Natale and the Greens made strong statements against negative gearing, live exports and the TPP. Everyone was united in paying tribute to murdered British MP Jo Cox.