Scott Morrison is offering almost $1.5 billion for navy ships, cyber security and public transport before he goes head-to-head debating Bill Shorten.
Create a free account to read this article
or signup to continue reading
Both leaders are in Perth on Monday ahead of their evening debate, the first of the campaign, as a new poll shows the gap between them is narrowing.
The Australian's Newspoll revealed Labor is leading the two-party preferred vote with 51 per cent to the coalition's 49 per cent.
The result is a marked improvement for the coalition since March, when Mr Morrison's government was down 54-46 on the same measure.
Both parties will have to rely on preferences, with the coalition's primary vote down to 38 per cent, and Labor's down to 37 per cent.
Opposition frontbencher Penny Wong said Labor always knew the polls would tighten in the final weeks of the campaign.
"We always anticipated this election would be tight," she told ABC Radio National.
"We always anticipated we'd see a dirty campaign from the Liberals and we have. We always anticipated it was going to be tough. I mean, Labor has won from opposition three times since World War II."
Pre-polling centres open on Monday for voters to cast their early ballot papers.
The prime minister will visit Labor MP Josh Wilson's electorate of Fremantle to announce a $1 billion plan to build three new naval vessels in Henderson.
"We're backing the West with our commitment to make WA a home of continuous naval shipbuilding in Australia and the Henderson precinct is crucial to Australia's defence capability," Mr Morrison said.
He's also promising $156 million to improve cyber security for older Australians, small businesses and national security assets.
A further $300 million will go to building or expanding 30 park-and-ride facilities on seven train lines in Melbourne.
"These projects will ease access to public transport, take thousands of cars off the road, bust congestion and see Melburnians spend less time in traffic and more time with their family and friends," Treasurer Josh Frydenberg said.
Mr Shorten made his major policy announcements on Sunday, promising $1000 of free dental work for aged pensioners.
He also promised to make child care cheaper for almost one million families and a 20 per cent pay increase for early educators.
Monday's debate will be the first between the two leaders, with a second scheduled for Friday in Brisbane.
Mr Morrison has regularly tried to make the election contest a personal battle with Mr Shorten, who trails as preferred prime minister in the polls.
Australian Associated Press
