Mid-way through the election campaign, an upbeat Kevin Rudd has accused the coalition of planning to "whack" the earnings of struggling self-funded retirees.
In Labor's latest attack on Opposition Leader Tony Abbott's signature plan for paid parental leave, Mr Rudd said it's been revealed the opposition's proposed 1.5 per cent levy on big companies will not qualify for franking credits.
That means shareholders will lose tax breaks on their dividend payments from listed companies, many of which will have to pay the impost.
The prime minister said Mr Abbott claimed superannuation would be unaffected by any of his measures. But that was wrong.
"Mr Abbott as the alternative prime minister is going to keep secret his plan for $70 billion worth of cuts to jobs, health and education, keep secret his plan to whack the earnings of self-funded retirees," he said in the marginal electorate of Petrie on Brisbane's northside on Wednesday.
Mr Rudd repeated his mantra that an Abbott government would "cut, cut and cut again".
After two morning events, Mr Rudd took time in the afternoon to prepare for his debate with Mr Abbott at the Broncos Leagues Club.
He wasn't talking up his debate prospects, saying his preparation involved talking to real people and hearing their concerns.
The event falls precisely on the third anniversary of Julia Gillard's almost victory at the 2010 election.
In his first campaign stop, Mr Rudd visited the Medicare Local office in Petrie, announcing a $15 million program for 34 cancer care nurse coordinators to ensure people with cancer in regional areas get access to specialist health services they need.
Petrie is held for Labor by Yvette D'Ath with a margin of 2.5 per cent.
Then he went to the electorate of Longman, held by Liberal Wyatt Roy, Australia's youngest MP, for a backyard barbecue.
Labor needs to hold onto all its seats and pick up any it can. Labor candidate for Longman Michael Caisley, 30, a former union official, thinks Mr Roy's 1.9 per cent margin is "very surmountable".
"He has that celebrity factor because of that (his age, 22) and he finds it easy to get on TV," he said.
"People know him but that does not mean they support him. People know he has not delivered for the area."
