FEDERAL ELECTION CAMPAIGN: DAY 16
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WHERE THE LEADERS ARE CAMPAIGNING
* Prime Minister Scott Morrison: is starting the day in Townsville, in the crucial marginal seat of Herbert, held by Labor.
* Labor leader Bill Shorten: is starting the day in his hometown of Melbourne where a number of Liberal-held seats are in play.
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WHAT THE COALITION WANTS TO TALK ABOUT
* The coalition making another play for the tradie vote, and will promise to double the size of a trial program that encourages regional businesses to take on apprentices by having taxpayers help cover their wages.
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WHAT LABOR WANTS TO TALK ABOUT:
* Labor is pledging to spend on extra $332 million to help fight domestic violence, including money for early intervention, frontline services, emergency accommodation and legal support.
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WHAT IS MAKING NEWS:
* The Australian Electoral Commission is expected to publish the eligibility checklist for all of the more than 1500 candidates for the May 18 election. The new rules were designed to head off the MP dual-citizenship debacle of the past 18 months.
* There will be more speculation on preference deals which the parties need to sort by Monday when early polling starts. Clive Palmer is expected to confirm a national preference deal with the Liberal Party on Monday.
* The leaders will go head-to-head at least two times next week, with confirmation they will front a Sky News/Courier Mail peoples' forum in Brisbane. On Monday evening, they will be debating each other in Perth.
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THEY SAID WHAT?
"The times suit us, we reflect the national mood better than the dads' army of climate deniers infesting the government ranks." - Bill Shorten.
"I like that Perth is really entrepreneurial and go-getting. It's a have-a-go type place. The lifestyle is very similar to The Shire." - Scott Morrison
