From EV subsidies to cutting thousands of ACT public service jobs, clear answers to basic Coalition policy questions are still floating in the breeze
- Polls tracker; election guide; full federal election coverage
- Anywhere but Canberra; interactive electorates guide
- Listen to the latest episode of our new narrative podcast series: Gina
- Get our afternoon election email, free app or daily news podcast
He tried laughing it off, but Thursday saw the most bruising and brutal press conference of Peter Dutton’s campaign. Weeks of evasive answers, contradictions and sloppy language from Coalition supporting players finally caught up with him, as the Liberal leader whacked away blunt questions which, nine days from election day, he is still struggling to answer.
The opposition leader was in Hobart, announcing a major and worthwhile policy on domestic violence. This critical issue has not received the attention it deserves in this campaign, as women continue to die at the hands of partners; the Coalition should be applauded for bringing it to the fore of the election.
Sign up for the Afternoon Update: Election 2025 email newsletter
“Is it concerning to you that your pick for immigration minister doesn’t appear to know the current migration settings?”
“Was your answer yesterday on West Jerusalem a mistake? Your office had to clarify.”
“You’ve been able to visit 13 petrol stations so far during this campaign, and you haven’t visited a single nuclear power site. Are you going to do one before polling day, or are you worried that this nuclear energy policy is losing you votes?”
“Why should people vote for you when you give the air of a guy that’s turned up not having done his homework on time?”
“41,000 [public service] jobs in Canberra? That’s a huge amount.”
Q: Would a Coalition government repeal the EV tax break?
Dutton: No, we’ve said that what we’re opposed to is the Government’s big tax on hybrids.
