On the Election Campaign today Malcolm Turnbull campaigned in Liberal Territory and fended off criticisms of his Budget. Bill Shorten and deputy Tanya Plibersek campaigned in Labor territory, and didn’t smell a rat.

Bryce Heaton reports.

TRANSCRIPT

It hasn’t been a super week for the Prime Minister.

There are rumblings from party members, and donors, over the Budget decision to put a $1.6 million cap on tax free retirement funds.

Bill Shorten, Opposition Leader: “Why is it that Mr Turnbull and his team think it is possible to make one set of election promises on superannuation before an election, and then say by the way we may well renegotiate what we said on superannuation after the election.”

But today, Mr Turnbull recommitted to the plan.

Malcolm Turnbull, Prime Minister: “No well as I’ve made it clear there will be no changes to the policy. It is true that some people, around 4%, on high incomes and with high superannuation balances will have to pay some more tax on their superannuation account.”

Bill Shorten and Tanya Plibersek spent the morning campaigning at a Sydney fish market, but one man made it clear he wouldn’t be won over by the visit.

Comedy program The Chaser were up to their old tricks, handing Plibersek a rat and then vanishing.

Chaser: “Oh sorry, I’ve gotta take a phone call, can you mind it? Thank you! Bye!”

Bill Shorten, Opposition Leader: “Okay.”

Plibersek has since tweeted saying the rat has settled in at her place, asking the public to suggest names for the ‘hashtag election rat’.

Bryce Heaton, QUT News.