Turnbull calls poll: 'We can't risk Labor's big spenders'
PRIME Minister Malcolm Turnbull has wished Australia's mums a Happy Mother's Day - and then called an election.
"We love you all so much. Your love has made us what we are. Happy Mother's Day,'' Mr Turnbull said.
"Now, I have returned from visiting the Governor-General, as you have observed.
"The Governor-General has accepted my advice to dissolve both houses of Parliament effective tomorrow morning, and call an election for both houses, a double dissolution, on 2 July.
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"At this election, Australians will have a very clear choice - to keep the course, maintain the commitment to our national economic plan for growth and jobs, or go back to Labor, with its high-taxing, higher spending, debt and deficit agenda, which will stop our nation's transition to the new economy dead in its tracks.
"We live in a time of remarkable opportunity. We live in an era when the scale and pace of economic change is unprecedented through all of human history. The opportunities for Australia have never been greater. There are many challenges,'' the Coalition leader said.
"But if we embrace this future with confidence and with optimism, with self-belief and a clear plan, then we will succeed as we have never succeeded before.
PM @TurnbullMalcolm calls a July 2 federal election, but first... pic.twitter.com/AvNqPl3OsT
— Jessica van Vonderen (@jessvanvonderen) May 8, 2016
"Our economic plan for jobs and growth is as clear as it is critical - to support this transition to the new economy of the 21st century.
"It is the most exciting time to be an Australian. These are exciting times. But we must embark on these times, embrace these opportunities, meet these challenges, with a plan and we have laid out a clear economic plan to enable us to succeed. "
"We have set up an Innovation and Science agenda which will ensure that right across our nation we are more innovative in business, in academia, in government, ensuring that we are able in these times of rapid change to meet them with the agility and the engine ingenuity and the imagination that makes for success.
"We are ensuring through our Innovation and Science agenda that our children have the skills of the 21st century, and that our researchers and scientists, the best in the world, are collaborating with Australian business and industry so that we see more of the fruits of their work in Australian jobs and Australian enterprise.
Malcolm Turnbull says he will be seeking a mandate from the Australian people #auspol pic.twitter.com/KpV5AYFhzb
— Rosie Lewis (@rosieslewis) May 8, 2016
"We have laid out a defence industry investment plan which will equip our armed forces with the capabilities they need to keep us safe in this century. And we will develop and build those capabilities so far as we can right here in Australia.
"Every dollar we can spend in Australia we will. And we will do so by investing in Australian advanced manufacturing, in Australian technology, in Australian science, in Australian industry, creating thousands of high-tech jobs right across our nation.
"We live in a region that has seen the most remarkable growth. Little more than a generation ago, China was an impoverished nation barely part of the global economy.
"It is now the world's largest or in some measures the second largest economy. That is just part of the changes we have witnessed.
Opportunities for Australia in Asia enormous
"In a few years more than half of the world's middle class will be living in Asia. The opportunities for Australia are enormous and we have to have the means to seize them.
"We have established export trade deals right across the region with Korea, Japan, and with China itself. With the transPacific partnership and only a few days ago enhancing our free trade agreement and military cooperation with the Republic of Singapore.
"That is providing jobs and economic growth right across Australia in services, in tourism and education, in agriculture, right across the board, opening those markets has created the enormous opportunities for jobs and growth.
"A vital part of our plan is to ensure that young Australians get into employment, that young Australians, particularly who struggle with getting started in a job, develop the employability that will set them up for life,
"We have set out, as you have seen in our budget, a youth employment plan that will help more than 100,000 young Australians into jobs with the path program preparing them to work as interns... to get that experience, to get into employment.
Mr Turnbull vowed multinationals will have to pay their fair share of tax in Australia.
"The laws we are setting in place are the world's best. And we are providing tax relief for Australian businesses with our enterprise tax plan, beginning with smaller businesses with a turnover of $10 million or less and then working up so that after 10 years all Australian companies will be paying 25% corporate tax... providing the incentives for investment and for jobs."
Turnbull issues warning over Shorten spending
"During this election campaign, my opponent, Mr Shorten, will undoubtedly make very big promises or continue to make very big promises of higher spending.
"And I ask Australians when they hear these promises from him and from Labor to remember that Labor has no credible or coherent way to pay for them, other than through more debt and higher taxes.
"The choice cannot be clearer at this election.
"We have an economic plan for growth and jobs. Every single element of it is designed, is calculated, determined, to deliver stronger economic growth and more jobs for Australians.
"On the other hand, our opponents are promising to increase income tax, they are opposing a tax cut for Australian businesses.
"They are proposing to increase capital gains tax by 50%, a tax on investment.
"Now, all of us know that if you want to have less of something, you increase the tax on it. That is how health organisations justify an urge -- and urge governments, as we are doing, to increase the tax on tobacco.
"Labor clearly wants to have less investment. They are increasing by 50% the tax on investment.
"After three years they have learnt nothing from the failure of the Rudd- Gillard/Rudd leaders in which Mr Shorten was a leading player.
" We see Labor now proposing to ban negative gearing on every single asset class except new dwellings.
"This will deliver a massive shock to the property market at a time as the Reserve Bank Governor said only a few days ago property prices are moderating.
"It puts at risk the investments of millions of Australians. It stands in the pathway, blocking the road to entrepreneurship."
Answering questions, Mr Turnbull committed to a number of debates with Mr Shorten during the eight week campaign.
Bill Shorten responds
Opposition leader Bill Shorten has responded to the election announcement, saying Labor is ready for a fight.
"Simply put: We are ready. Ready to fight for jobs, to protect Medicare, ready to give every child a decent education and ready to take real action on climate change.
"And that's just the start of Labor's positive plans.
"But make no mistake - as seriously out of touch Mr Turnbull may seem, we will have to fight hard if we want to stop his plans to make savage cuts to schools and health while he gives tax breaks to the top end of town.
"We are the underdogs and the Liberals have millions more than us to pour into this campaign."
Bookies backing Coalition to win July 2 federal election
UPDATE: The bookies are backing Malcolm Turnbull and the Coalition to win the next federal election, which is to be held on Saturday, July 2.
The Prime Minister earlier arrived at Parliament House, where he is expected to hold a press conference this afternoon.
He came directly from Government House, where he met with Governor-General Sir Peter Cosgrove for approximately 20 minutes, the ABC reported.
Both men touched down in Canberra earlier today, having flown from Sydney.
Prime Minister @TurnbullMalcolm has returned to #Canberra to call an #election #ausvotes https://t.co/OSNpPSjYo4https://t.co/fpkLAD1Wek
— ABC News (@abcnews) May 8, 2016
Sportsbet currently have the Coalition at $1.33 and Labor at $3.25 to win the election.
The Coalition are favoured in 80 of the 150 seats.
"You never know when you might need a suit": @Barnaby_Joyce returns to Canberra #ausvotes https://t.co/OSNpPSjYo4 https://t.co/jmXHohWgGf
— ABC News (@abcnews) May 8, 2016
Earlier:
PRIME Minister Malcolm Turnbull will have Australia unwrap a eight-week election campaign on Mother's Day, with his visit to Governor-General Sir Peter Cosgrove.
In doing so, he will order voters to the polls in the country's first Double Dissolution election since 1984.
It will not necessarily be an easy march to victory for the PM, after a Seven-ReachTel poll found the Labor and Coalition's primary votes both sitting at 50-50.
While the Liberals primary vote is significantly stronger than Labor's (41.4% to 35.1%), the ALP will catch up on the strength of Greens and Nick Xenophon team preferences.
LISTEN: Michelle Grattan's interview with Malcolm Turnbull
But Mr Turnbull is already being given a taste of what he will face during the campaign.
In the days after a generally uncontroversial budget, the PM has already wasted some of his political capital by refusing to say what business tax cuts would cost over the coming decade.
A video of him on Sky News deflecting questions on the cost of a 10-year tax cut to big business bounced around social media. He said repeatedly "the Treasury has not identified the dollar cost of that particular item".
Then on Friday, Treasury officials said they had worked out the cost a few weeks before budget.
It was going to cost the government $48.2 billion.
The Prime Minister will call the election for July 2. If Mr Turnbull loses, he will become Australia's shortest serving Prime Minister since 1945.
Sportsbets odds
Sworn In Government
$1.33 Coalition
$3.25 Labor
Federal Election - All 150 electorates
Adelaide (SA)
$1.11 Labor
$7.00 Any other
$12 Coalition
$21 Green
Aston (VIC)
$1.03 Coalition
$8.50 Labor
$26 Green
$34 Any other
Ballarat (VIC)
$1.01 Labor
$12 Coalition
$21 Green
$26 Any other
Election analyst @AntonyGreenABC explains this election's procedures and timing #ausvotes https://t.co/OSNpPSjYo4 https://t.co/uR80zpSxO5
— ABC News (@abcnews) May 8, 2016
Banks (NSW)
$1.50 Coalition
$2.40 Labor
$21 Green
$26 Any other
Barker (SA)
$1.05 Coalition
$7.00 Any other
$26 Labor
$26 Green
Barton (NSW)
$1.05 Labor
$6.00 Coalition
$26 Green
$26 Any other
Bass (TAS)
$1.25 Coalition
$3.75 Labor
$26 Green
$26 Any other
Batman (VIC)
$1.10 Labor
$6.00 Green
$26 Any other
$26 Coalition
Bendigo (VIC)
$1.15 Labor
$5.00 Coalition
$26 Green
$26 Any other
Bennelong (NSW)
$1.10 Coalition
$6.00 Labor
$26 Any other
$26 Green
Berowra (NSW)
$1.01 Coalition
$12 Labor
$26 Any other
$26 Green
Blair (QLD)
$1.05 Labor
$8.50 Coalition
$26 Green
$26 Any other
Blaxland (NSW)
$1.01 Labor
$12 Coalition
$26 Green
$26 Any other
Bonner (QLD)
$1.30 Coalition
$3.24 Labor
$26 Green
$26 Any other
Boothby (SA)
$1.60 Coalition
$2.25 Nick Xenophon Team
$7.50 Labor
$26 Green
$26 Any Other
Bowman (QLD)
$1.10 Coalition
$6.50 Labor
$17 Any other
$26 Green
Braddon (TAS)
$1.40 Coalition
$2.75 Labor
$21 Any other
$26 Green
Bradfield (NSW)
$1.01 Coalition
$12 Labor
$21 Any other
$26 Green
Brand (WA)
$1.01 Labor
$13 Coalition
$21 Green
$26 Any other
Brisbane (QLD)
$1.62 Coalition
$2.30 Labor
$21 Greens
$26 Any other
Bruce (VIC)
$1.30 Labor
$3.30 Coalition
$21 Green
$26 Any other
Burt (WA)
$1.5 Labor
$2.50 Coaltion
$34 Any Other
Calare (NSW)
$1.01 Coalition
$12 Any other
$21 Labor
$26 Green
Calwell (VIC)
$1.01 Labor
$11 Coalition
$21 Green
$26 Any other
Canberra (ACT)
$1.01 Labor
$12 Coalition
$26 Green
$26 Any other
Canning (WA)
$1.01 Coalition
$12 Labor
$21 Any other
$26 Green
Capricornia (QLD)
$1.60 Labor
$2.25 Coalition
$26 Green
$26 Any other
Casey (VIC)
$1.10 Coalition
$6.00 Labor
$26 Green
$26 Any other
Chifley (NSW)
$1.01 Labor
$16 Coalition
$21 Green
$21 Any other
Chisholm (VIC)
$1.25 Labor
$3.75 Coalition
$21 Green
$26 Any other
Cook (NSW)
$1.01 Coalition
$16 Labor
$16 Green
$16 Any other
Corangamite (VIC)
$1.75 Labor
$2.00 Coalition
$21 Green
$26 Any other
Corio (VIC)
$1.10 Labor
$8.00 Green
$16 Coalition
$16 Any other
Cowan (WA)
$1.30 Coalition
$3.00 Labor
$26 Green
$26 Any other
Cowper (NSW)
$1.01 Coalition
$11 Any other
$16 Labor
$26 Green
Cunningham (NSW)
$1.01 Labor
$13 Any other
$21 Coalition
$21 Green
Curtin (WA)
$1.01 Coalition
$16 Labor
$16 Green
$26 Any other
Dawson (QLD)
$1.15 Coalition
$5.00 Labor
$26 Any other
$26 Green
Deakin (VIC)
$1.75 Labor
$2.00 Coalition
$15 Green
$26 Any other
Denison (TAS)
$1.15 Andrew Wilkie
$5.50 Labor
$16 Green
$21 Coalition
Dickson (QLD)
$1.50 Coalition
$2.50 Labor
$26 Green
$26 Any other
Dobell (NSW)
$1.75 Labor
$2.00 Coalition
$26 Green
$26 Any Other
Dunkley (VIC)
$1.50 Coalition
$2.50 Labor
$21 Green
$26 Any other
Durack (WA)
$1.01 Coalition
$12 Any other
$21 Labor
$26 Green
Eden-Monaro (NSW)
$1.75 Coalition
$2.00 Labor
$31 Green
$31 Any other
Fadden (QLD)
$1.01 Coalition
$16 Labor
$16 Any other
$26 Green
Fairfax (QLD)
$1.01 Coalition
$12 Labor
$26 Green
$26 Any other
Farrer (NSW)
$1.01 Coalition
$12 Any other
$21 Labor
$21 Green
Fisher (QLD)
$1.10 Coalition
$7.50 Labor
$17 Any other
$21 Green
Flinders (VIC)
$1.01 Coalition
$12 Labor
$21 Any other
$26 Green
Flynn (QLD)
$1.10 Coalition
$6.50 Labor
$16 Any other
$34 Greens
Forde (QLD)
$1.20 Coalition
$3.50 Labor
$26 Greens
$26 Any other
Forrest (WA)
$1.01 Coalition
$12 Labor
$21 Any other
$26 Greens
Fowler (NSW)
$1.01 Labor
$16 Any other
$21 Coalition
$21 Greens
Franklin (TAS)
$1.07 Labor
$8.00 Coalition
$11 Greens
$26 Any other
Fraser (ACT)
$1.01 Labor
$16 Coalition
$21 Greens
$21 Any other
Fremantle (WA)
$1.15 Labor
$6.00 Greens
$13 Coalition
$26 Any other
Gellibrand (VIC)
$1.01 Labor
$12 Greens
$16 Coalition
$26 Any other
Gilmore (NSW)
$1.50 Coalition
$2.50 Labor
$21 Greens
$26 Any other
Gippsland (VIC)
$1.01 Coalition
$12 Any other
$21 Labor
$26 Greens
Goldstein (VIC)
$1.01 Coalition
$12 Labor
$26 Any other
$34 Greens
Gorton (VIC)
$1.01 Labor
$16 Coalition
$16 Greens
$26 Any other
Grayndler (NSW)
$1.35 Labor
$3.25 Greens
$16 Coalition
$26 Any other
Greenway (NSW)
$1.30 Labor
$3.30 Coalition
$21 Greens
$26 Any other
Grey (SA)
$1.01 Coalition
$12 Labor
$26 Any Other
$26 Greens
Griffith (QLD)
$1.15 Labor
$5.00 Coalition
$21 Greens
$26 Any other
Groom (QLD)
$1.01 Coalition
$12 Any other
$21 Nick Xenophon Team
$26 Labor
$26 Greens
Hasluck (WA)
$1.30 Coalition
$3.30 Labor
$21 Greens
$26 Any other
Herbert (QLD)
$1.14 Coalition
$5.00 Labor
$21 Any other
$26 Greens
Higgins (VIC)
$1.15 Coalition
$7.50 Greens
$11 Nick Xenophon Team
$16 Labor
$26 Any other
Hindmarsh (SA)
$1.75 Labor
$2.75 Coalition
$5.50 Any other
$26 Greens
Hinkler (QLD)
$1.10 Coalition
$6.50 Labor
$15 Any other
$26 Greens
Holt (VIC)
$1.01 Labor
$12 Coalition
$21 Greens
$26 Any other
Hotham (VIC)
$1.01 Labor
$12 Coalition
$21 Greens
$26 Any other
Hughes (NSW)
$1.01 Coalition
$12 Labor
$21 Any other
$26 Greens
Hume (NSW)
$1.01 Coalition
$15 Labor
$21 Any other
$26 Greens
Hunter (NSW)
$1.01 Labor
$12 Coalition
$26 Any other
$26 Greens
Indi (VIC)
$1.25 Cathy McGowan
$4.00 Liberals
$11 Nationals
$16 Labor
$51 Greens
Isaacs (VIC)
$1.15 Labor
$5.00 Coalition
$21 Greens
$26 Any other
Jagajaga (VIC)
$1.01 Labor
$12 Coalition
$21 Greens
$26 Any other
Kennedy (QLD)
$1.20 KAP
$4.25 Coalition
$21 Labor
$26 Greens
$26 Any other
Kingsford Smith (NSW)
$1.30 Labor
$3.74 Coalition
$11 Greens
$26 Any other
Kingston (SA)
$1.12 Labor
$6.00 Any other
$21 Coalition
$26 Greens
Kooyong (VIC)
$1.01 Coalition
$12 Labor
$26 Greens
$26 Any other
La Trobe (VIC)
$1.60 Coalition
$2.25 Labor
$21 Greens
$26 Any other
Lalor (VIC)
$1.01 Labor
$11 Coalition
$21 Greens
$26 Any other
Leichardt (QLD)
$1.40 Coalition
$2.75 Labor
$12 Any other
$26 Greens
Lilley (QLD)
$1.20 Labor
$3.50 Coalition
$21 Greens
$26 Any other
Lindsay (NSW)
$1.40 Coalition
$2.75 Labor
$21 Greens
$26 Any other
Lingiari (NT)
$1.10 Labor
$6.00 Coalition
$21 Greens
$26 Any other
Longman (QLD)
$1.30 Coalition
$3.30 Labor
$26 Greens
$26 Any other
Lyne (NSW)
$1.01 Coalition
$12 Any other
$26 Green
$26 Labor
Lyons (TAS)
$1.75 Labor
$2.10 Coalition
$16 Any other
$26 Greens
Macarthur (NSW)
$1.75 Labor
$2.00 Coalition
$26 Any other
$34 Greens
Mackellar (NSW)
$1.10 Coalition
$6.00 Any other
$21 Labor
$26 Greens
Macquarie (NSW)
$1.50 Coalition
$2.50 Labor
$21 Greens
$26 Any other
Makin (SA)
$1.08 Labor
$7.00 Any other
$16 Coalition
$26 Greens
Mallee (VIC)
$1.01 Coalition
$12 Any other
$21 Labor
$26 Greens
Maranoa (QLD)
$1.01 Coalition
$12 Any other
$21 Labor
$26 Greens
Maribyrnong (VIC)
$1.01 Labor
$11 Coalition
$21 Greens
$26 Any other
Mayo (SA)
$1.30 Coalition
$3.60 Nick Xenophon Team
$21 Any other
$26 Labor
$26 Green
McEwen (VIC)
$1.10 Labor
$6.00 Coalition
$21 Any other
McMahon (NSW)
$1.01 Labor
$11 Coalition
$26 Any other
McMillan (VIC)
$1.02 Coalition
$11 Labor
$21 Any other
McPherson (QLD)
$1.01 Coalition
$12 Labor
$21 Any other
Melbourne (VIC)
$1.05 Greens
$9.00 Labor
$21 Coalition
Melbourne Ports (VIC)
$1.15 Labor
$5.00 Greens
$11 Coalition
$26 Any other
Menzies (VIC)
$1.01 Coalition
$26 Greens
$26 Labor
$34 Any other
Mitchell (NSW)
$1.01 Coalition
$16 Labor
$16 Any other
$16 Greens
Moncrieff (QLD)
$1.01 Coalition
$16 Labor
$16 Any other
$16 Greens
Moore (WA)
$1.01 Coalition
$12 Labor
$21 Any other
$26 Greens
Moreton (QLD)
$1.05 Labor
$8.50 Coalition
$21 Greens
$26 Any other
Murray (VIC)
$1.75 Nationals
$2.00 Liberal
$16 Any Other
$21 Labor
$26 Greens
New England (NSW)
$1.50 Coalition
$2.50 Tony Windsor
$21 Any Other
$21 Labor
$24 Greens
Newcastle (NSW)
$1.04 Labor
$12 Coalition
$17 Any other
$21 Greens
North Sydney (NSW)
$1.01 Coalition
$16 Labor
$21 Any other
$21 Greens
O'Connor (WA)
$1.01 Coalition
$16 Any Other
$16 Labor
$26 Greens
Oxley (QLD)
$1.01 Labor
$12 Coalition
$21 Greens
$26 Any other
Page (NSW)
$1.60 Coalition
$2.25 Labor
$21 Greens
$26 Any other
Parkes (NSW)
$1.01 Coalition
$12 Any Other
$26 Labor
$26 Greens
Parramatta (NSW)
$1.10 Labor
$6.00 Coalition
$21 Greens
$26 Any other
Paterson (NSW)
$1.20 Labor
$4.20 Coalition
$21 Any other
$26 Greens
Pearce (WA)
$1.10 Coalition
$6.00 Labor
$21 Greens
$26 Any other
Perth (WA)
$1.01 Labor
$5.50 Coalition
$21 Greens
$51 Any other
Petrie (QLD)
$1.30 Labor
$3.30 Coalition
$26 Any other
$41 Greens
Port Adelaide (SA)
$1.01 Labor
$16 Coalition
$16 Green
$26 Any Other
Rankin (QLD)
$1.01 Labor
$12 Coalition
$21 Any other
$26 Greens
Reid (NSW)
$1.15 Coalition
$5.00 Labor
$26 Any other
$26 Greens
Richmond (NSW)
$1.45 Labor
$4.50 Coalition
$5.00 Greens
$26 Any Other
Riverina (NSW)
$1.01 Coalition
$12 Any Other
$21 Labor
$26 Greens
Robertson (NSW)
$1.50 Coalition
$2.50 Labor
$21 Greens
$26 Any other
Ryan (QLD)
$1.07 Coalition
$9.00 Labor
$16 Greens
$26 Any other
Scullin (VIC)
$1.05 Labor
$8.00 Greens
$16 Coalition
$26 Any other
Shortland (NSW)
$1.01 Labor
$12 Coalition
$21 Greens
$26 Any other
Solomon (NT)
$1.50 Labor
$2.50 Coalition
$26 Any other
$26 Greens
Stirling (WA)
$1.02 Coalition
$10 Labor
$26 Any other
$26 Greens
Sturt (SA)
$1.20 Coalition
$4.00 Nick Xenophon Team
$21 Labor
$26 Green
Swan (WA)
$1.20 Coalition
$4.00 Labor
$16 Greens
$26 Any other
Sydney (NSW)
$1.05 Labor
$8.50 Greens
$21 Coalition
$26 Any other
Tangney (WA)
$1.01 Coalition
$16 Greens
$16 Labor
$26 Any Other
Wakefield (SA)
$1.08 Labor
$7.00 Any Other
$16 Coalition
$26 Green
Wannon (VIC)
$1.01 Coalition
$12 Any Other
$21 Labor
$26 Greens
Warringah (NSW)
$1.06 Coalition
$8.00 Nick Xenophon Team
$9.00 Any Other
$21 Labor
$26 Greens
Watson (NSW)
$1.01 Labor
$11 Coalition
$26 Any other
$26 Greens
Wentworth (NSW)
$1.01 Coalition
$16 Labor
$16 Any other
$16 Greens
Werriwa (NSW)
$1.01 Labor
$11 Coalition
$21 Greens
$26 Any other
Whitlam (NSW)
$1.01 Labor
$12 Coalition
$16 Any Other
$26 Greens
Wide Bay (QLD)
$1.07 Coalition
$7.00 Labor
$15 Any Other
$26 Greens
Wills (VIC)
$1.07 Labor
$7.00 Green
$21 Coalition
$26 Any Other
Wright (QLD)
$1.01 Coalition
$13 Labor
$21 Any other
$26 Greens
