The Latest Breaking News from Scott Morrison

From a carbon tax to Medicare, energy bills and pensioner changes — the Coalition and Labor are both relying heavily on scare campaigns ahead of next month's poll.

This week’s Newspoll, conducted April 14-17 from a sample of 1,510, gave Labor a 53-47 lead, unchanged since last week. Primary votes were 36% Labor (down one), 35% Coalition (down one), 12% Greens (up two), 4% One Nation (up one), 4% UAP (steady) and 9% for all Others (down one).

Scott Morrison has used a trip to Western Australia to announce two new hydrogen hubs but unions have warned against a plan to reform industrial agreements.

Scott Morrison and Anthony Albanese are both urging people not to vote for high-profile independents running against incumbent MPs in marginal seats which could hold the key to victory at next month's election.

Mr Albanese will use the ninth day of the campaign to spruik a $38 million funding pledge over three years to Disaster Relief Australia, a veteran-led organisation assisting communities after natural disasters.

Tuesday: Ben Roberts-Smith is calling a former patrol commander as his first witness-in-reply in his defamation trial. Plus: how to take your cat for a walk

As polls point to a surge of support for independents and minor parties, Scott Morrison and Anthony Albanese have ruled out crossbench deals to form government.

As far as political debate goes, this federal election seems to be less about climate change than any in the past 15 years. Unlike in 2010, 2013 and 2016 – when governments were elected and leaders deposed over climate policy – this time there’s no brutal contest over the issue.

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