And on that note - end of the second week, only three more to go.
But what happened today?
- the Coalition announced that nearly 32,000 asylum seekers already in Australia will never get permanent settlement and will no longer be able to have the right of appeal;
- Coalition leader Tony Abbott went back to the future for the announcement saying "This is our country and we will determine who comes here";
- the Greens say the policy is cruel while Labor says it is won't make any difference to people smugglers;
- Labor announced $30 million for a new oil and gas research centre in Perth; and
- 14,712,799 people have enrolled to vote in the election.
My thanks to you all for reading, commenting and joining me, Alex Ellinghausen and Andrew Meares as we strive to bring you all the news and views from the campaign trail.
We will be back on Monday morning. Have a fantastic weekend.
No reason for posting this other than that it is another beautiful picture from Alex Ellinghausen. Seriously, how good are he and Andrew Meares?
A journalist shoots a segment after Opposition leader Tony Abbott's visit to the Mernda Recreation Reserve in Victoria on Friday. Photo: Alex Ellinghausen
Meanwhile, the Liberal National Party MP for Brisbane, Teresa Gambaro, has posed in front of a sign saying "I'm sexy and I know it".
Oh yes she has. You can read about it here.
Mr Rudd is finishing the afternoon with a shopping centre visit in the Perth suburb of Cannington. The words 'cat' and 'cream' spring to mind.
Kevin Rudd and the Labor candidate for Swan, John Bissett, smile as they met a voter in Westfield Carousel in Cannington in Perth on Friday. Photo: Andrew Meares
A total of 14,712,799 people are now enrolled to vote on September 7.
"The electoral roll has increased by over 624,000 since the last election, significantly more than the previous comparable period from 2007 to 2010 when the increase was just over 440,000," Electoral Commissioner Ed Killesteyn announced earlier today.
From the time the election was announced on 4 August until the electoral rolls close on 12 August over 162,000 people enrolled, mostly online.
25,000 people aged between 18 and 24 years enrolled between 2010 and 2013 but there are still 400,000 people in that age group who are eligible to vote but who are not enrolled.
The commission estimates 1.22 people remain unenrolled across all age groups.
It's good to know Mr Abbott is finishing his campaign week on a positive note. Team Abbott has now flown out of Melbourne bound for Perth.
Opposition leader Tony Abbott kisses a young boy at the Mernda Recreation Reserve in Victoria on Friday. Photo: Alex Ellinghausen
Mr Rudd was in Perth to announce a new national research centre into something known as "floating systems".
The research centre will look at offshore oil and gas production with a view to attracting investment and creating jobs.
Labor has promised $30 million for the new centre.
Prime Minister Kevin Rudd is greeted by a member of his advance team on arrival at the CSIRO Australian Resources Research Centre in Perth on Friday. Photo: Andrew Meares
More techy coolness from the Fairfax Media interactive/web team.
This time the team has worked up an election map which allows you to look at the demographic make up of electorates using information from the Australian Bureau of Statistics. It tells you all kinds of things like who does what for a living, the most common household make-up, the average income and so on.
I've been meaning to bring you Michael Leunig's cartoon about the campaign all day. Now seems as good a time as any.
Our video team has also recorded this interview with human rights expert Daniel Webb on immigration policy.
Deterrence: wrong way, turn back.
Human rights expert Daniel Webb says that deterrence is the wrong answer on asylum seeker policy, as the Coalition flags harsher scrutiny for current detainees.
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Some commentary on the Coalition's immigration policy announcement.
Minister for Immigration Tony Burke has rubbished the Coalition's announcement.
"Even though it's irrelevant to whether or not people smugglers have a viable business, they've decided to be mean just for the hell of it," Mr Burke says.
It will not make a "scintilla of difference to anyone running a people smuggling operation", Mr Burke says.
"[Coalition immigration spokesman] Scott Morrison right now wants the boats to keep coming ... They want that for a political reason ... It says a lot about them [the Coalition] ... He enjoys the politics of this far too much."
Mr Burke warns that removing people's right of appeal through the court system will force people to take their complaints to the High Court.
Mr Rudd is asked if his "campaign is going off the rails".
Mr Rudd says he has "no intention of talking about campaign internals".
Why was Mr Rudd asked this? You may like to read the background here.
Mr Rudd says he will refer people with questions about the Coalition's immigration announcement to a press conference being held by Immigration Minister Tony Burke (which I can't watch and relay to you because I'm watching this).
And here is Mr Rudd.
Mr Rudd is being asked about his northern Australia policy.
"On the costings, it's outside the forward estimate," Mr Rudd says but promised that the numbers would be done next year if Labor was returned to government.
"I think our opponents are worried about it [the policy] because they know it's a winner."
Still waiting for Mr Rudd to do his press conference (just in case you're wondering what happened).
Prime Minister Kevin Rudd at the CSIRO Australian Resources Research Centre in Perth on Friday. Photo: Andrew Meares
A few things to draw your attention to this lunch hour:
- the Egyptian ambassador has been called to a meeting at the Department of Foreign Affairs as further rallies take place in Cairo;
- the Greens want the next federal government to commit an extra $842 million to legal aid funding to fix what it calls the "crisis in access to justice";
- Australia allowed one of Papua New Guinea's most wanted men to enter the country of a 457 skilled worker visa; and
- the education union says public schools in NSW would lose out under a Coalition government.
In today's Breaking Politics segment Liberal MP Wyatt Roy and Labor MP Amanda Rishworth debate the campaign issues of immigration, policy costings and leadership.
Campaign blame game
Liberal MP Wyatt Roy and Labor's Amanda Rishworth go head to head as the campaign kicks into overdrive and, no surprise, they don't see eye to eye on costings, asylum or leadership.
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In today's episode of Fact Checker economics correspondent Peter Martin looks at the Coalition's claim that the National Broadband Network will cost $94 billion.
What did Peter find? You will have to click here to find out.
The problem with going to public facilities is that the public sometimes turns up.
Mr Rudd has been visiting Perth train station where he was pursued by a gentleman urging him to "Give Tony Abbott a go" (as you can see below). Probably fair to assume Mr Rudd won't take that advice.
'Give Tony Abbott a go!'
RAW VISION: A Perth resident weighs in on the election campaign and Kevin Rudd's tilt to retain the prime ministership.
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Ding, ding, ding we have a winner.
Thanks to commenter SteveH for pointing out that Precious is a "Labordoodle" (see 12pm and 12.04pm posts).
The political nerd in me really loves that at this moment, in offices around Australia, the Australian Electoral Commission is drawing the order in which candidates which be placed on the ballot paper.
In this age of the internet the AEC still works this out by using a blindfolded staff member drawing numbers out of a wire cage. Bless.
Top position on the ballot is worth 1% http://t.co/rP05Jx3Ruu. I drew 3rd for the Fraser race. pic.twitter.com/3OnSooQu5c
— Andrew Leigh (@ALeighMP) August 16, 2013
Mr Rudd is touring a Perth train station. I will come back to him when he holds his press conference.
Prime Minister Kevin Rudd arrives at Perth City Link on Friday. Photo: Andrew Meares
In the 11.02am I posted a puzzling picture of Liberal MP Louise Markus showing up for the official switch on the National Broadband Network in her area. I say puzzling because of the Coalition's position on the infrastructure project.
Labor frontbencher Anthony Albanese has this advice for Ms Markus: "If Louise Markus wants the NBN she will have to vote Labor."
Stand down peeps - it's okay. I think we can all agree it's a dog. No doubt some kind of "-oodle". Just goes to show, once again, how important the camera angle is.
Prime Minister Kevin Rudd cuddles 'Precious' while visiting Perth City train on Friday. Photo: Andrew Meares
Labor leader Kevin Rudd is touring a train station in Perth.
"Some people might find this a boring subject but I don't," Mr Rudd says.
"But I'm not a train spotter either."
If anyone can tell what kind of creature "Precious" is I'd be most grateful. I've sought clarification from photographer Andrew Meares.
Prime Minister Kevin Rudd cuddles 'Precious' while visiting Perth City trainstation on Friday. Photo: Andrew Meares
You may remember yesterday that I was feeling a bit sorry for Team Rudd what with the pre 4am start and a dash across the continent that ended in Perth. To add insult to injury, the plane was put in a holding pattern above Perth for nearly two hours before the weary pack was able to head for their hotel.
Meanwhile, Team Coalition was being well looked after. One, two, three - oysters for comment!
Nicole Chant, media adviser to Opposition leader Tony Abbott distributes oysters on the flight from Hobart to Melbourne on Thursday. Photo: Alex Ellinghausen
Opposition leader Tony Abbott boards a truck during his visit to the Linfox depot in Melbourne on Friday. Photo: Alex Ellinghausen
Keep on truckin'.
Greens immigration spokeswoman, Sarah Hanson-Young, says the Coalition's immigration policy is further evidence of the major parties' "race to the bottom".
"It's back to the future," Senator Hanson-Young says.
"The government's no advantage rule has now been superseded by the Coalition's no shame rule....This is just cruelty and punishment for the sake of Tony Abbott looking tougher then Kevin Rudd."
Senator Hanson-Young says it is a "lie" that the numbers of refugees "is just Australia's problem" or that they are not genuine asylum seekers.
"There is no national emergency, there is a humanitarian emergency."
I'm a bit confused as to why local Liberal Party MP Louise Markus showed up for the switch on of the National Broadband Network with Labor frontbencher Anthony Albanese in Sydney a little while ago:
Joined at #NBN switchon in Windsor by @Susan4Macquarie and Liberal @LouiseMarkusMP #everyonedeservesNBN pic.twitter.com/bWEaydiQBI
— Anthony Albanese (@AlboMP) August 16, 2013
Philip Ruddock is an essential part of the Coalition's campaign. Not only does he provide policy advice but the former immigration minister also works as a valet (very Downton Abbey) when required.
Liberal MP Philip Ruddock assists Opposition leader Tony Abbott with his high visibility vest during a visit to the Linfox depot in Melbourne on Friday. Photo: Alex Ellinghausen
In the meantime let me compile a little package of stories about Kevin Rudd's northern Australia announcement.
This is chief political correspondent Mark Kenny's wrap of Mr Rudd's push north which took place while Coalition leader Tony Abbott was on his second trip to Tasmania in as many weeks.
Economics writer Matt Wade looks at what economists think about Labor's plan to attract more business to the Top End.
Last, but not least, is business reporter Peter Ker on the similarities between Labor's policies and views expressed by one G. Rinehart.
The Greens will respond to the Coalition's announcement in about 20 minutes time.
Labor leader Kevin Rudd, who is in Perth, is due to hold a press conference at about 11.30am.
I will bring both of those as they happen.
Mr Abbott has finished his press conference.
What do you think? Do you agree with the Coalition? You can have your say in our readers' poll which you can find here.
Mr Abbott says there is "common decency" in the asylum seeker policy.
Opposition leader Tony Abbott addresses the media in Melbourne on Friday. Photo: Alex Ellinghausen
Mr Abbott is now taking questions and it's back to when policy costings will be released.
The reason for the delay is simple, Mr Abbott says: "We've got to have something to say for the next three weeks of the campaign."
He says one of the Coalition's significant policies - paid parental leave - will be released "in the next two or three days".
Mr Morrison says Labor has had a "tick and flick" approach to people who arrive by boat with nine out of then found to be refugees.
Labor wants you to believe the 32,000 people already in Australia "are just not here", Mr Morrison says. "They must have already rubber stamped their visas for the other side of the election. We'll get to the outcome which is the right outcome."
(Former immigration minister Philip Ruddock, who is travelling with Mr Abbott for the duration of the campaign, is in the room for the press conference.)
Mr Abbott says the 32,000 people who are already here have two possible futures - either they are found to be refugees and granted temporary protection visas or they are found not to be and will be sent back to their home countries.
"You can't expect to get permanent residence in Australia if you come illegally by boat, you just can't," Mr Abbott says.
Opposition leader Tony Abbott addresses the media in Melbourne on Friday. Photo: Alex Ellinghausen
Mr Abbott says he expects to "make a difference" from "day one" [of becoming prime minister] when it comes to boat arrivals.
He would be happy if he could reduce the number of boat arrivals to three a year.
"Our ideal is to have zero boats a year," Mr Abbott says.
Within one term of a Coalition government Mr Abbott says the numbers of boat arrivals should have returned to the levels under the Howard government [but he does not specify a figure].
Immigration spokesman Scott Morrison says the people who would be most happy about a Labor win would be the 32,000 asylum seekers who are already in Australia.
Their cases will be "triaged" so an assessment can be made swiftly.
"We can get on with the job of removing people far more quickly than this government has been doing," Mr Morrison says.
The Coalition would scrap Labor's plan for a processing centre in Singleton, NSW, and use that money to fund an increase in the Nauru detention centre.
Opposition leader Tony Abbott addresses the media in Melbourne on Friday. Photo: Alex Ellinghausen
Mr Abbott says people already in Australia awaiting resettlement - nearly 32,000 - will only get temporary protection visas.
"This is our country and we will determine who comes here," Mr Abbott says (not once but twice).
"That was the position under the previous Coalition government, that will be the position under the future Coalition government."
Mr Abbott praises immigration Scott Morrison for his handling of the portfolio in which he has shown "a touch of compassion."
Opposition leader Tony Abbott addresses the media in Melbourne on Friday. Photo: Alex Ellinghausen
Coalition leader Tony Abbott and immigration Scott Morrison are now formally announcing the Coalition's immigration policy.
"If you want to stop the boat's you've got to change the government," Mr Abbott says.
"If you can't stop the boats you're not capable of governing the country."
Opposition leader Tony Abbott tours the Linfox depot in Melbourne on Friday. Photo: Alex Ellinghausen
At some point yesterday I was musing that asylum seeker policy hadn't made much of an appearance this week. What a difference a day makes.
This morning's newspapers are full of the Coalition's latest bid to further toughen up the system.
This includes the announcement that almost 32,000 asylum seekers who have already arrived in Australia by boat will never get permanent settlement as well as stripping them of the right to appeal to the courts.
The Coalition would also introduce indefinite work for the dole obligations for those found to be refugees and return to the "non statutory" process in which a single caseworker would decide the fate of asylum seekers.
Immigration correspondent Bianca Hall has all the details of the policy.
(A formal announcement is expected later today.)
Do you ever get the feeling election campaigns are an excuse for the blokes to play with big toys?
Opposition leader Tony Abbott gets into the driver's seat of a truck during his visit to the Linfox depot in Melbourne on Friday. Photo: Alex Ellinghausen
Hello and welcome to Friday - the last day of the second week. Only three more to go. It's all about natural resources today - the kind in the ground for Labor and the natural resources kind for the Coalition. It's a pleasure to have your company as Andrew Meares, Alex Ellinghausen and I take you through all the news and views from the campaign trail.
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