“It will be used aggressively as a marketing tool by people smugglers and it absolutely demonstrates that hollowness of Bill Shorten’s claim that he shares the same border protection policies as us”.
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Mr Shorten was quick to announce that Labor can win and must win the July 2 election.
But Labor has hardened its language against a public vote, in what commentators said was a strategic move to set up the issue as a clear choice on polling day.
It comes as Mr Shorten continued his blatant privatisation scare campaign yesterday, despite assurances from Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull that he would not privatise aspects now being delivered by Government.
Early on in Shorten’s election campaign, the Labor leader declared the July 2 poll was a referendum on protecting the Medicare system.
Labor’s pro-union stance in support of the CFMEU is reflected in its opposition to the Australian Building and Construction Commission and its failure to support the Registered Organisations Bill.
Less than two weeks out from the election, Turnbull confirmed services which are now being delivered by Medicare would continue to be covered, and that he would be engaging with the Digital Transformation Office (DTO) to make Medicare services more user friendly.
Mr Turnbull has labelled the campaign “disgraceful” and said Medicare would “never ever” be privatised under his Government.
Ms Kearney’s messages were tailored to each electorate but mention funding cuts by the Coalition Government to health and asked them to help protect Medicare.
“Turnbull said he has scrapped all [privatisation] plans, and we have to take him at face value, but I don’t blame Labor for being sceptical”, he said.
In answer to a question on possible privatisation of Medicare, the PM said: “There has been consideration of revising the Medicare payment system because it is about 30 years out of date …”
Australia will hold a referendum on legalising gay marriages this year if the Liberal Party of Australia is voted back to power, promised Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull.
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Federal opposition leader Bill Shorten officially launched the Labor campaign in Penrith on Sunday. “Nothing less”, he said while launching his election campaign on Sunday.
