The federal government is closely monitoring the fallout from the UK’s decision to leave the European Union and has ordered a high-level report on the consequences for Australia.
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Turnbull said while there was a “measure of stability” returning to financial markets, there remained “considerable political uncertainty”.
Turnbull continued in the same vein yesterday.
But the polls have tightened following a strong campaign by opposition leader Bill Shorten, who has pledged to curb tax breaks for property investors and boost education and health spending.
Mr Shorten said Mr Turnbull faced problems within his own ranks because his moderate views on issues such as same-sex marriage did not sit well with conservatives.
Mr Turnbull said Labor’s abandonment of John Howard’s border protection policy resulted in 50,000 unauthorised arrivals on 800 boats, 1200 known deaths at sea, more than 8000 children put into detention, 17 detention centres opened and a $11 billion border protection budget blow-out.
“Our clear economic plan is more essential than ever as we enter this period of uncertainty in global markets following the British vote to leave the European Union”.
His Coalition partner, the National party, has been anxious throughout the campaign that Turnbull’s message of “exciting times” in a changing economy has been scaring the electorate, especially in regional Australia.
With seven days to go until the election, Turnbull is using the “uncertainty” that now clouds the future of the European Union to make the case to return his Coalition government.
The poll suggests Labor could win the Queensland seats of Petrie (2PP 52-48) and Capricornia (2PP 51-49) while it is on 50-50 in Hindmarsh in South Australia and Macarthur in New South Wales. Political parties tend to launch their official campaigns close to the election because MPs can typically no longer claim parliamentary travel allowances after the launch.
Many gathered at Olympic Park in the western Sydney electorate of Reid today including former PMs Tony Abbott and John Howard, deputy leader Julie Bishop, NSW premier Mike Baird as well as Turnbull’s family. It was reportedly the first time that he appeared in public together with Mr Turnbull after his ousting.
Mr Abbott was in office for only two years before he was overthrown by Mr Turnbull in an internal government showdown in September.
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But he may not find himself any better situated after the poll due to the growing appeal of independent Nick Xenophon, whose new party is fielding nearly 50 candidates.
