Australian Opposition leader Anthony Albanese and Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk arrive ahead of joining the Labour Day march on day 22 of the 2022 federal election campaign, in Brisbane on 2 May 2022. Source: AAP / LUKAS COCH/AAPIMAGE

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From humanitarian visas to cannabis reform: Here's what happened on day 22 of the election campaign

Follow our live blog for all the latest news on day 22 of the election campaign.

Published 2 May 2022 8:26am

Updated 2 May 2022 5:08pm

Source: SBS News

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2 May 2022 4:33pm

That's a wrap! Here's what happened on day 22

Thanks for following the SBS News live blog on day 22 of the federal election campaign.

Here's a rundown of what Scott Morrison, Anthony Albanese and their teams were up to:

Where the leaders campaigned

Prime Minister Scott Morrison: Sydney (Parramatta), Geelong (Corio) and southwest Victoria (Corangamite)
Labor leader Anthony Albanese: Brisbane (Brisbane)

What the Coalition wanted to talk about

An extra 50,000 older Australians will get access to the Commonwealth Seniors Health Card.
A $10 reduction for medicines on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme, taking the co-payment from $42.50 to $32.50.

What Labor wanted to talk about

Labor has a plan to help people buy their first home, make medicines cheaper, roll out electric car charging stations and overhaul care for children and seniors.
A commitment to match the coalition's promise to expand eligibility for the senior's health card.
A $12.50 reduction for medicines on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme, taking the co-payment from $42.50 to $30.

What made news

Newspoll shows Labor ahead 53-47 on a two-party preferred basis.
Resolve poll shows Labor ahead 54-46 on a two-party basis.
Job advertising suffered a small fall in April, but still pointed to strong employment growth in the months ahead.
Independent South Australian candidate Nick Xenophon called for gambling industry advertising on TV to be more tightly controlled and sponsorship of sporting clubs banned.
Mr Morrison attended an Eid prayers event in western Sydney marking the end of Ramadan where he was approached by a woman who begged him to help rescue her family trapped in Afghanistan.

Mother pleads with Scott Morrison to hasten visa processing for Afghans under Taliban rule

What they said

Mr Morrison: "Labor has a plan where they want the government to own your home."

Mr Albanese: "If you're working today (Labour Day), you deserve your penalty rates."

2 May 2022 3:41pm

Looming Reserve Bank cash rate decision 'not about politics', Scott Morrison says

Asked about the Reserve Bank of Australia looming cash rate decision and the possibility of a rate hike, Prime Minister Scott Morrison said any rise is "not about politics".

The RBA is due to meet tomorrow to decide whether or not to raise the official interest rate, which is at a record low of 0.1 per cent.

Mr Morrison said any potential rate rise would be a consequence of external factors, like the war in Ukraine and the impacts of the global pandemic, not the government's own economic record.

"You know what, it is not about politics," Mr Morrison told reporters at a press conference earlier today.

From food to fuel and housing: As inflation surges, this is what it means for your hip pocket

"What happens tomorrow deals with what people pay on their mortgages. That is what I am concerned about."

He told reporters "sometimes you guys always see things through a totally political lens. I don't. And Australians don't".

Mr Morrison was then questioned by SBS News Chief Political Correspondent Anna Henderson about how that response stacks up with the Coalition's claims they are "superior economic managers".

"Are voters supposed to believe that you will separate yourself from what happens tomorrow and claim you have no responsibility for the conditions?" she asked Mr Morrison.

"I think I have set up the position pretty clearly about the macroeconomic environment that is impacting on rates in Australia. I think I've been very clear," he responded.

There's a house of cards vibe in election campaign land. This is why

"I also didn't claim credit for interest rates going from 1.5 per cent to 0.1 percent. These are driven by macro-economic factors but they've also been driven by the alignment of fiscal and monetary policy in this country to take a through the pandemic.

"So no I don't see that through a political lens."

- Naveen Razik

2 May 2022 3:15pm

'The most critical election in a generation': Greens leader Adam Bandt launches Tasmanian campaign

The Tasmanian Greens' candidates have launched their election campaign in Hobart.

In attendance was the federal Greens leader, Adam Bandt, who told reporters this was "the most critical election in a generation".

The Greens are running five lower house candidates, and Tasmanian senator Peter Whish-Wilson is vying for re-election.

Adam Bandt says Greens would 'make Clive Palmer' pay for your dental care, blasts media's 'gotcha' questions

Mr Bandt says the Greens are poised to be the most powerful third party in the next parliament.

"And in balance of power, the Greens will kick the Liberals out, and we'll push the next government to tackle the climate crisis, by leaving coal and gas in the ground, and also by leaving Tasmania's forests standing.

"But also to tackle the cost of living crisis, by getting dental and mental health into Medicare," he said.

- Sarah Maunder

2 May 2022 3:06pm

Scott Morrison criticises Labor's housing policy

Prime Minister Scott Morrison has criticised Labor's proposed housing policy, saying the party hasn't "thought these things through".

"What Labor have been very clear about is that they have a share in your home, and so, as your home value increases, they are making money off you," Mr Morrison told reporters in Geelong, Victoria, on Monday afternoon, where he outlined the government's plan to increase eligibility for the Commonwealth Seniors Health Card.

"As your home price goes up, your home value goes up, [and] they are taking a cut and so you have to pay the government back on their equity and with the capital appreciation," the prime minister said.

His comments come a day after Opposition leader Anthony Albanese officially kicked off Labor's election campaign in Perth.

Health, housing and gender pay equity: Anthony Albanese lays out his vision for Australia at campaign launch

Addressing the party faithful at Sunday's campaign launch, Mr Albanese laid out his pitch to voters, including new promises on cheaper medicines, equity for first home buyers and action on gender inequality.

A key element of Labor's pitch is the housing policy, which if the party is elected, would fund up to 40 per cent of the cost of buying a home for about 10,000 low- to middle-income earners a year.

But Mr Morrison said the co-ownership approach between the government and home owners would lead to more strife.

"They are basically riding on your decision to buy your own home," he said.

He also highlighted the disadvantages of the policy being only applicable to 10,000 low- to middle-income earners a year.

"It is for 10,000 people, so you will be going along to an auction, and there will be someone who is bidding against you, and they will be bidding with the government and you will be bidding on your own, so, I don't think Labor have thought these things through," he said.

- Akash Arora

2 May 2022 12:08pm

Cannabis law reforms and a ban on fossil fuel projects: a look into the Greens' campaign

The Greens are promising to reform cannabis laws and push for a ban on new fossil fuel projects in the Bass Strait if it secures the balance of power at the federal election.

Cannabis laws need urgent reform after decades of punitive policy at the state and federal levels, according to

the minor party.

"Much of the rest of the world has moved on to legalise cannabis and it's high time Australia did the same," Greens NSW Senate candidate David Shoebridge said ahead of a policy launch in the NSW Northern Rivers town of Nimbin.

Current laws criminalising cannabis resulted in money being funnelled to the organised crime groups meeting demand, Mr Shoebridge added.

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01/05/202203:57

Some 36 per cent of Australians over the age of 14 have used non-medicinal cannabis, according to Australian Institute of Health and Welfare data for 2019, with 11.6 per cent having consumed it in the previous twelve months.

The party also wants a freeze on offshore gas exploration, including ConocoPhillips and 3D Oil's plans to drill northwest of Tasmania near King Island.

"To reach even the weak target of net zero by 2050, not one single new coal, oil or gas project can be built," Greens leader Adam Bandt said on Monday.

Mr Bandt said the 3D Oil project had the potential to release 545 million tonnes of carbon dioxide if the estimated 10 trillion cubic feet of gas in the permit area was burned.

"More pollution than all of Australia emits for a whole year," he said.

"The people of Tasmania don't want it, it endangers fisheries and coasts and it totally fails the climate test."

Mr Bandt called on Labor and the Coalition to commit to stopping the project before the election on 21 May.

By AAP.

2 May 2022 10:38am

Scott Morrison likens Muslims breaking their fast to COVID-19 pandemic struggle

The prime minister addressed Muslim community members at the Eid celebratory prayers in Parramatta earlier this morning.

Scott Morrison likened the Islamic ritual of breaking their monthly fast to the struggles faced by Australians during the COVID-19 pandemic.

"Breaking this fast is, I suppose, a little like what the country is now going through, after two years of incredibly difficult times, as we've come through the pandemic," Mr Morrison said.

"And now as we can see the dawn breaking, we can again reflect as you do here today, as we go into this new period, with hope restored by our faith restored by our community."

Source: Supplied / Facebook/Scott Morrison

Mr Morrison, who was speaking in Parramatta which is one of Australia's most multicultural electorates with Labor holding the seat by a 3.5 per cent margin, then said Australia was "a rope with many different strands".

"Australia is the most successful multicultural nation on Earth. And, right here in Parramatta, there could not be a better expression of it, particularly on this day.

Anthony Albanese defends choice of Andrew Charlton as a Labor candidate for Parramatta

"Australia is like a rope with many different strands that weave together to make it incredibly strong. And I'm here with one of those important strands here today.

"Australia is a strong nation. And we have shown our strength over these difficult times and we will again into the future. But it has been your faith in your community that has upheld you over these difficult times and I know will into the future."

2 May 2022 10:19am

Anthony Albanese blames government for visa processing delays for Afghan refugees

Labor leader Anthony Albanese says Australia's visa processing delays are an example of "a gutting of the public service".

Mr Albanese was asked whether he would expedite the processing of visas for asylum seekers and refugees in Afghanistan who are desperate to flee the country.

"In so many areas there are just longer and longer and longer delays," he said.

"That is why one of the reasons why we have said we will have increased support for the public service."

The Morrison government has previously been criticised over the delay of visa processing by advocates who fear for the safety of people in limbo in Afghanistan.

Afghan nationals seeking refuge in Australia need urgently improved visa processing, Senate report finds

2 May 2022 10:15am

Anthony Albanese talks cost of living and increased wages for healthcare workers

Labor leader Anthony Albanese is in Brisbane with Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk and federal industrial relations spokesperson Tony Burke, addressing the media ahead of May Day march rallies.

Mr Albanese, who led the launch of

Labor's campaign on Sunday

, turned his focus to Australia's cost of living crisis and increasing wages for healthcare workers.

"These heroes of the pandemic are the unwilling victims of Scott Morrison's cost of living crisis. Scott Morrison seems to think that people who are doing it easy in this country. The truth is they are not, they are under enormous pressure and that is why we need a Labor government with a better plan for a better future," he said.

2 May 2022 10:01am

Community member begs Scott Morrison to evacuate family from Afghanistan

Local resident Hijara Taufiq has approached Prime Minister Scott Morrison at the Eid prayers in Parramatta, pleading for his government to evacuate her family out of Afghanistan.

"Please help us," she told the prime minister.

Australia’s humanitarian intake of Afghan refugees has been increased in the 2022 federal budget, with an additional 16,500 visa places allocated over four years, taking the country’s total commitment to 31,500 places.

But there are calls for this to be increased further, with the humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan worsening since the Taliban took over Kabul in August 2021.

2 May 2022 9:08am

Scott Morrison attends Eid prayers in western Sydney

Prime Minister Scott Morrison is kicking off his day by attending the holy Eid prayers in the seat of Parramatta, located in western Sydney.

Parramatta has long been held by Labor's Julie Owens since 2004, but with her retirement at the next election and Andrew Charlton taking her place, it's a seat the Coalition is looking to snap up with Liberal candidate Maria Kovacic alongside the prime minister this morning.

Former Labor prime minister Kevin Rudd was also in attendance.

SBS News' chief political correspondent and bureau chief Anna Henderson is at Parramatta:

2 May 2022 8:40am

Coalition promises cheaper healthcare for older Australians

A further 50,000 older Australians would be eligible to apply for a Commonwealth Seniors Health Card under a

new Coalition policy set to be announced on Monday

.

The singles income test threshold for the concession card would increase from $57,761 to around $90,000 from 1 July this year, if the Morrison government is re-elected.

The couple’s threshold would rise from $92,416 to $144,000.

Another 50,000 older Australians to get access to seniors health card under re-elected Coalition government

The change, which would give more seniors access to cheaper medications and healthcare and potential discounts on other expenses like power bills and public transport, is expected to cost more than $70 million over four years.

“This is the first major change, outside of indexation, to the income threshold of the Commonwealth Seniors Health Card in over 20 years,” Prime Minister Scott Morrison said in a statement.

“Every dollar counts, especially for older Australians who are no longer working. Senior Australians have worked hard to make Australia all that it is today, and it’s important that the country takes care of them in return.”

2 May 2022 8:38am

Welcome to today's SBS News federal election live blog

Good morning.

It's the 22nd day of the federal election campaign and we're here to keep you posted about all the noteworthy moments of the day.

First up, Prime Minister Scott Morrison has pledged to make

healthcare more accessible for older Australians

in a new announcement to expand the Commonwealth seniors health care if the Coalition is re-elected.

Mr Morrison said he will increase the singles income test threshold from $57,761 to around $90,000 from 1 July this year to broaden access to the concession card.

The couples threshold will also increase from $92,416 to $144,000.

The announcement comes a day after Opposition leader Anthony Albanese accused the prime minister of neglecting older Australians at the Labor launch on Sunday.

You can read more about Mr Albanese's key policy initiatives that were announced at the launch here:

Health, housing and gender pay equity: Anthony Albanese lays out his vision for Australia at campaign launch

From humanitarian visas to cannabis reform: Here's what happened on day 22 of the election campaign