Australians’ hip-pocket pain has taken centre stage as Anthony Albanese takes on Peter Dutton in their final campaign clash.
The prime minister and the opposition leader are going head-to-head for the last time before voters take to the polls on Saturday.
A live studio audience is bearing witness to the debate, hosted by Channel Seven and moderated by Seven News political editor Mark Riley.
Mr Dutton kicked things off by reminding viewers of the families “doing it tough”.
“As we’ve moved around the country, we’ve spoken to families literally in tears,” he said on Sunday night.
“They can’t afford to put food on the table.
“The prime minister promises a bandaid on a bullet-wound.”
Mr Albanese hit back by spruiking his own proposals to bring down the cost of medicines and groceries.
“Australians have a real choice this Saturday: to continue building Australia’s future or go back to the past,” he said.
“Labor has a real plan for cost-of-living support.
“We know that we live in very uncertain times and that’s why we need certainty.”
Almost 2.4 million Australians have already voted, casting doubt over whether any last-ditch efforts will impact the election outcome.
The odds are generally tipping in Mr Albanese’s favour, with the latest Newspoll showing Labor leading 52-48 on the two-party-preferred vote.
But the coalition has not given up, with Mr Dutton revealing he will visit 28 seats by the end of the campaign.
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