FEDERAL ELECTION CAMPAIGN: DAY 17
WHERE THE LEADERS ARE CAMPAIGNING
* Prime Minister Scott Morrison: In Dubbo, NSW with Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack, who is starting his traditional Nationals election "wombat trail" .
* Labor leader Bill Shorten: in Tasmania.
WHAT THE COALITION WANTS TO TALK ABOUT
News that makes sense
Your trusted source for staying up-to-date with the world around you. Get free daily news updates and analysis, straight to your inbox.
A promise of an extra $54.7 million in drought assistance for farmers, which includes restocking and replanting concessional loans, a trial counselling service for rural businesses and changes to the farm household allowance.
WHAT LABOR WANTS TO TALK ABOUT:
A pledge of$120 million into key Tasmanian tourist attractions to manage growing visitor numbers and to unlock employment opportunities.
WHAT'S MAKING NEWS:
* Former Liberal cabinet minister and South Australian senator Amanda Vanstone believes a royal commission should be held into Australia's water system with a focus on the Murray-Darling Basin and the eastern seaboard, according an Adelaide Advertiser election podcast.
* Clive Palmer has accused senior LNP politicians of plotting to destroy his political career just a day after it was announced he had made a preference deal with the party.
* Mr Shorten has written to the National Press Club seeking a third televised debate with Mr Morrison, involving Nine and ABC journalists. The two are due to debate on Monday in Perth and Friday in Brisbane.
* A new analysis by the McKell Institute shows workers will be $2.9 billion worse off due to cuts to penalty rates under a Liberal government.
THEY SAID WHAT?
""See, the PM doesn't have a wombat."
- Michael McCormack told RSL directors at their club in Dubbo at the start of his election "wombat trail", the Nationals tradition going back to 1977.
