Opposition leader Peter Dutton is holding his first press conference of the day. He is in the Hunter region (New South Wales). Labor look like holding the seat of Hunter, but the Coalition wants the nearby seat of Paterson.

Dutton’s message for the campaign is clear:

The point I make is is a choice for Australians to make. It’s about who can better manage the economy, who can better manage the energy system and at the Albanese’s plan is going to see certain increases in power prices. The thing is already in three years electricity is up by 32% and it will go higher.

This is a recipe for higher prices and Australians can’t afford three more years of Albanese government.

The Coalition can’t say how much its energy ‘plan’ will lower prices though, which is one of the sticking points of its message.