Australian news and politics live: Albanese dodges nature positive questions as he doubles down on renewables

With all the conversations about the Voice to Parliament in the last few days, the PM was asked what happens to truth-telling and treaty if he gets a second term.

He said the focus is on “practical reconciliation”, pointing back to a speech he gave at the Garma Festival last year after the referendum failed.

“It’s about economic empowerment, it’s about practical ways to close the gap. That is what I’m focused on,” he said.

The PM was asked about the catastrophic blackout in Spain and Portugal this week, which has raised questions about the risks of over-relying on renewable energy in the grid.

He defended Labor’s plans for Australia’s future energy mix, which will introduce 82 per cent renewables within five years, as the most efficient and cheapest way to hit net-zero targets.

“Our plan is for renewables, backed by gas, backed by batteries and backed by hydro,” he said, adding that the Government has not shut any fossil fuel projects.

He then turned to the Coalition’s record on energy, arguing that “24 out of 28 coal fired power stations announced their closure under the former Government, and that the former Government did bugger all,” he said.

He accuses the Coalition of being “all about rhetoric” because they couldn’t land a policy.

Labor’s nature positive agenda has dodged the Federal Government in WA this term, and on Thursday, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese was asked about what a new version would look like, and whether it will be compliant.

The PM said it will be in accordance with the Samuels Review.

“You will see the legislation when it is done. What we will do is not pre-empt processes of consultation,” he said.

“We engage with industry... we will treat people with respect, engage constructively with the WA Government and other state governments as well, and we will produce an outcome that is very positive.”

The Prime Minister took questions in the seat of Tangney, and it was put to him that this election has been “characterised by mistruths and accusations of lying all around”.

“Is that why he didn’t pursue the truth in political advertising legislation as vigorously as he could have? And would he like to have another crack at it?” a journalist asked.

“I would,” he said.

“We tried to do a range of legislation, which we didn’t have support for them from the Coalition.”

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has spoken from Winthrop Primary School with WA Premier Roger Cook in the seat of Tangney.

Mr Albanese used the occasion to spruik Labor’s education and childcare policies, including the three-day guarantee for cheaper childcare, that he says the Coalition will scrap.

“They’ve said that they’ll bring back the activity test that makes it harder, particularly for disadvantaged parents, whether that be a single parent or people from disadvantaged positions to get access to childcare,” he said.

The PM hit out at the Coalition for cutting funding for education and health, accusing them of ripping $30b out of education in the 2014 budget.

He said Labor will deliver better and fairer schools under a $16.5b deal with every state and territory government.

Mr Albanese also accused the Coalition of backflipping over potential changes to school curriculums and of “looking for culture wars in every corner.”

Prime Minister Anthony Albanase has been given a rock star welcome at Winthrop Primary School in Perth.

Attending with WA Premier Roger Cook, the PM ran towards the excited crowd of kids who were eagerly awaiting his arrival.

Mr Cook introduced the kids to his important guests, starting with “Hugo’s mum”, who happens to be the state MP Kim Giddens.

Mr Albanese then took questions from three students, who wanted to know what the best part of being PM was, what his daily schedule was like and what his plan was for a better future.

“I feel like I’ve been campaigning for 11 years!” Mr Albanese told one of the kids.

Federal Labor will govern with a clear majority while the coalition will suffer its worst election result in 80 years, if YouGov’s final poll before the election comes true.

YouGov’s modelling points to an 84-seat win for the government, out of 150 lower house seats, to return Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to The Lodge for a second term. The winning party needs 76 seats for a majority.

Under this scenario, the Coalition will drop to 47 seats - a net loss of 11 - meaning Opposition Leader Peter Dutton will have led his party to its worst seat total since 1946.

Liberal frontbenchers David Coleman, Michael Sukkar and Dan Tehan would all lose their seats.

All of the sitting independents are tipped to retain their seats, while independent challengers are tipped to win Calare, Cowper, Wannon and Bradfield from the Coalition.

Read the full story.

Opposition Leader Peter Dutton said on Thursday that Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will not make it to the end of another term if he wins the Federal election.

Mr Dutton also speculated that if Mr Albanese loses the election, Treasurer Jim Chalmers and Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek would have an “unholy row” over Labor’s top job.

When asked by 2SM host Chris Smith if he would step down if the Coalition lost the 2025 election, Mr Dutton said, “We are going to win on Saturday.

“Firstly, let’s save our country from three more years of Labor,” he said.

“We’re going to do it because we’ve put in the hard work.

“We’ve been an incredible united opposition and we have the policies which, I think, will address the cost of living pressures, realise the dream again of home ownership for young Australians and make sure that we can keep our country and our community safe and we’re the only alternative at this election going forward with a policy to clamp down and to wipe out bikie gangs and others who are bringing drugs and illicit tobacco across our borders and that’s what’s made our communities less safe.”

Anthony Albanese is visiting Winthrop Primary School with WA Premier Roger Cook this morning, in the seat of Tangney.

The two will speak with principal Karina Meldrum before meeting students from Years 4, 5 and 6.

Tangney is Labor’s most marginal seat in WA.

This is the PM’s fourth visit to WA during the campaign, underscoring the importance for Labor of holding onto all of its nine seats in the State.

Opposition Leader Peter Dutton says the start date for the Coalition’s nuclear plan is “too far away to contemplate”, explaining why it took a back seat in his 2025 Federal election campaign.

“It’s just not been a huge issue at this election, either for or against,” Mr Dutton told Chris Smith on Sydney’s 2SM during a Thursday morning interview.

“I think people have prioritised other issues and that’s probably where the campaign’s concentrated.”

During a campaign stop in the teal-held seat of Kooyong on Wednesday night, Mr Dutton was heard saying nuclear was “not a big vote driver this election… people are voting on cost of living.”

“It doesn’t start till 2035,” he added.