Prime Minister Scott Morrison has wished Anthony Albanese well following his COVID-19 test, and Peter Dutton has apologised for years-old comments about Solomon Islands.
Look back at Friday's election campaign updates as they happened in our blog.
Key events
- Peter Dutton apologises for comments about rising sea levels
- Morrison announces veteran wellbeing centres
- WA Premier Mark McGowan tests positive for COVID
- 'Leave young trans kids alone': NSW Premier's comments threaten government's hold on power
- Dave Sharma refuses to say whether Katherine Deves should be disendorsed
- Coalition accuses Labor of being weak on China
- PM wishes Albanese well following positing COVID test
- Labor leader Anthony Albanese tests positive for COVID
Live updates
By Nicholas McElroy
That's all for the ABC News federal election live blog for today
Thanks for following along.
You can continue to stay up to date with the latest updates and analysis here on the ABC News website or on our app.
By Nicholas McElroy
In one of Australia's youngest federal seats, Tia wants action on climate, cost of living and crime
Her daughter has just turned ten months old, so any party that will make a firm commitment to tackling climate change is likely to get Tia Harris's vote this federal election.
"Climate change is a big thing for me," she said.
"I do worry about the planet, because there's been a lot of evidence about climate change, and I feel like we should take more steps to make the earth better."
Tia, 23, is one of many young voters in the Northern Territory electorate of Solomon that the parties can't afford not to listen to.
The seat, covering Darwin and nearby Palmerston, is held on a slim 3.1 per cent margin by Labor, but it has regularly swung back and forth to the Country Liberal Party.
By Nicholas McElroy
And that's the Labor press conference all wrapped up
By Nicholas McElroy
Penny Wong continues criticism of Coalition following China and Solomon Island security deal
Ms Wong:
"First, just on a very serious note, this is the worst foreign policy blunder in the Pacific since the end of World War II. And Mr Morrison does need to take responsibility for it. It has occurred on his watch," she said.
"And one of the problems with Mr Morrison is he always dashes to take credit, but he always has to be dragged to take responsibility. And we're seeing it again."
By Nicholas McElroy
With Albanese having COVID, you can expect to see much of the Labor team over the next week
Ms Wong:
"I think what you're going to see is more of our team. You'll see the people behind me, you'll see Jason [Clare], you'll see Jim Chalmers, Katy Gallagher, Kristina Keneally and our deputy, Richard Marles," she said.
By Nicholas McElroy
Shadow Foreign Minister Penny Wong is holding a campaign press conference in WA
She gives her apologies for Anthony Albanese not being able to attend. He's is isolating in Sydney with COVID.
You can watch it live here
By Nicholas McElroy
Prime Minister reveals he has not spoken to the leader of Solomon Islands since signing of China deal
Scott Morrison has revealed he hasn't spoken to the leader of Solomon Islands, since Manasseh Sogavare signed a controversial new security deal with China earlier this week.
When pressed on why he hadn't made a phone call he said it was a highly sensitive national security issue.
"We have followed very careful advice," Mr Morrison said.
Federal Labor has criticised the government for not sending Foreign Minister Marise Payne to the Pacific nation.
Labor's campaign spokesperson Jason Clare says its gone missing in the region.
"It starts with engagement that's people to people," he said.
Both leaders are concerned about China's expanding military influence in the South Pacific.
By political reporter Jess Davis
By Jessica Riga
In pictures: Labor MP Jason Clare steps in as Anthony Albanese spends first day in isolation
These pictures were taken by ABC photographer Adam Kennedy.
By Nicholas McElroy
What would you do to prevent China getting a stranglehold on our region?
Mr Morrison is asked what he will do if he is re-elected:
"I'm going to keep doing what we are doing. Over 100 occasions, we've had direct engagements with Pacific leaders over the last few years. I've gone to those islands. I've been a very active participant within the Pacific Islands Forum."
"This is a highly complex situation … but we can't kid ourselves, there's enormous pressure and influence which is placed on Pacific Island leaders across the region, which the Chinese government have been engaged in for some time."
By Nicholas McElroy
Did an Australian intelligence agency have a role in leaking the draft security agreement between China and the Solomon Islands?
Mr Morrison says he is not going to comment on the draft being leaked:
"I would never comment on intelligence matters of that nature. You would be surprised if I were to speak one way or the other about those issues. And no-one should take from that any meaning whatsoever. I mean, these are highly sensitive matters."
By Jessica Riga
Peter Dutton apologises for comments about rising sea levels
Q: The government's talked a lot about the importance of the relationships with the Pacific nations. Do you regret making those comments and joking about seawater rising and water lapping at the doors of some of our most important neighbours?
"I made comments at the time which were, you know, off the cuff, flippant. I apologise for them," Defence Minister Peter Dutton says.
And if you're wondering which comments this was in reference too, in 2015 Peter Dutton was overheard quipping about the plight of Pacific Island nations facing rising seas from climate change.
Dutton was involved in a conversation with then Prime Minister Tony Abbott, who had just returned from lengthy talks focused on climate change with Pacific Island leaders in Port Moresby in Papua New Guinea.
Noting that today's meeting on Syrian refugees was running a bit late, Dutton remarked that it was running to "Cape York time", to which Abbott replied: "We had a bit of that up in Port Moresby."
Dutton then added: "Time doesn't mean anything when you're about to have water lapping at your door."
Scott Morrison, who was social services minister at the time, then pointed out to both men that there was a microphone overhead.
You can watch the moment below.
By Nicholas McElroy
Morrison asked if he has made contact with the US delegation ahead of meeting with Solomon Islands Prime Minister
Earlier this week the White House confirmed reports that top US official Kurt Campbell would visit Solomon Islands later this week.
The United States has warned a security pact between Solomon Islands and China may destabilise the Pacific Island nation and set a "concerning precedent" for the region.
This is what Mr Morrison said:
"As a government, we're in regular contact with the United States on these issues and been over a very long time," he said.
"Over the last three and a half years as Prime Minister, on more than 100 occasions, I had direct discussions with Pacific leaders. I was the first Prime Minister in a very long time to go to Fiji, for example.
"... Same reason why I enjoy those strong relationships with the Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, Papua New Guinea. This is a constant process. It's not just this day or that day."
By Nicholas McElroy
Morrison announces veteran wellbeing centres
He says his government would provide more support for veterans, with $70 million to support 14 centres across the country.
By Jessica Riga
Morrison on the aged care crisis
When questioned about how aged care homes were struggling financially, Scott Morrison said money had been put aside to ease those pressures.
"Yes we are. It's done for those facing specific problems. As I said, $19.1 billion … and it was in response to the royal commission. We're got wonderful people who work in aged care … and we need more of them. We have a plan for building up the workforce there but it doesn't happen overnight."
But does he have a time frame for when this plan will come in place?
"We have a plan for 24/7 nurses for 2025 … but you can never say the job is done.
By Nicholas McElroy
Prime Minister Scott Morrison is holding a campaign press conference
The press conference is live here:
By Jessica Riga
Will Scott Morrison debate Anthony Albanese on the ABC?
ABC Radio Brisbane host Rebecca Levingston told Prime Minister Scott Morrison, in response to his comment on commentary verses news, he could take up some of that airtime if he agreed to a debate against Anthony Albanese on the ABC. So will he?
"We've said all along we'll do three debates throughout the campaign," Morrison said.
By Jessica Riga
How does Scott Morrison see the future of the ABC?
Prime Minister Scott Morrison spoke to Rebecca Levingston on ABC Radio Brisbane this morning. He was asked about the future of the ABC.
"We continue to fund the ABC, we continue to keep up the pace on ensuring that it is a competent and professional broadcaster and particularly to support the work that the ABC does in regional areas.
"I think the recent floods once again highlighted the ABC at its best, and that’s when it’s providing important information — in the middle of natural disasters and things of that nature.
"Now, you know, I’m not necessarily going to get into a commentary about the ABCs political coverage. I mean, I think people know there’s a wide range of views on that topic."
There's a bit a cross talk here but Morrison interjects to say:
"Actually, I think people do know my views about that. It’s a democracy and people will say what they will say – there’s a lot more commentary than necessarily there is news sometimes and what is important, though, is that information can get to people particularly on issues, disasters, and things like that.
By Jessica Riga
Australians' most important election issues, according to Vote Compass
More Australians mentioned climate change as their number one issue than any other topic, with 29 per cent of people saying it was important.
But that was a view held by only 8 per cent of Coalition voters, compared to 30 per cent of Labor voters and 50 per cent of people who vote Green.
By Jessica Riga
In pictures: Scott Morrison continues on the campaign trail
These pictures were taken by ABC photographer Nick Haggarty.
By Jessica Riga
WA Premier Mark McGowan tests positive for COVID
To some breaking news from state politics now and WA Premier Mark McGowan has tested positive for COVID-19.
In a statement, the Premier said he took a PCR test yesterday that came back positive.
He says he will be in quarantine until at least Thursday afternoon.
