Albanese says Coalition ‘more conservative than they have ever been’ as Dutton labels him ‘weakest’ prime minister

Prime minister and opposition leader start election bids with early campaigning and funding announcements

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Anthony Albanese has launched a stinging attack on Peter Dutton, accusing the opposition leader of a cold-hearted, mean-spirited" politics that has targeted vulnerable people and skewed the Coalition more conservative than they've ever been".

As both men started their election bids with early January campaigning, Dutton brushed off the prime minister's criticisms as mud" and lies". The opposition leader is under pressure to announce some new substantial policies and a long-awaited reshuffle of his shadow ministry, just months out from the election - a fact Albanese highlighted, calling the Coalition's weekend campaign rally a damp squib".