FEDERAL ELECTION CAMPAIGN: DAY 19
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WHERE THE LEADERS ARE CAMPAIGNING
* Prime Minister Scott Morrison: in Perth for leaders' debate
* Labor leader Bill Shorten: in Perth for leaders' debate
* Nationals leader Michael McCormak: in Mackay campaigning with George Christensen
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WHAT THE COALITION WANTS TO TALK ABOUT
* Defence spending again. 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. Also congestion busting measures with another announcement for consumer car parks in Melbourne.
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WHAT LABOR WANTS TO TALK ABOUT:
* Its childcare spending and dental care for seniors and pensioners, announced on Sunday, while the opposition leader campaigns in Perth where some Liberal-held seats are vulnerable.
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THE LATEST POLLS
* Newspoll show the government is closing the gap but Labor is leading at 51-49. That compares to 54-46 in March. But the primary vote of 37
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WHAT IS MAKING NEWS:
* Early voting starts on Monday with polling places opening at 0800. The option to vote before election day has become increasingly popular. And the preference deals will become clearer. Pauline Hanson is giving a helping hand to Peter Dutton and Christian Porter in their seats.
* The first of the leaders' debates will be held in Perth - for the first time - at 5pm local time. It will be broadcast on Seven's digital channel 7Two from 1900 AEST. A people's forum will be broadcast by Sky from Brisbane on Friday night. Debate is continuing on the third debate which the government wants on the ABC in prime time.
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THEY SAID WHAT?
"Bill Shorten and Labor have made it very clear that the majority of their elected members want to shut down of our coal industry in Queensland and NSW which will leave tens of thousands of workers out of jobs and I won't support him on that decision." - Pauline Hanson.
"I think April's probably settled George down a bit." - Nationals leader Michael McCormack on maverick MP George Christensen's fiancee.
"Of the two major parties, Labor is miles ahead of the coalition on climate commitments, but neither party is doing enough to make Australians safe from climate damage." - Australian Conservation Foundation chief executive Kelly O'Shanassy.
