A composite image of Anthony Albanese, Peter Dutton and Adam Bandt.

Anthony Albanese, Peter Dutton and Adam Bandt all talked about supermarket price gouging on day two of the election trail, after Albanese announced Labor would outlaw the practice. Source: AAP

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Politics

Cost of living takes centre stage on campaign day two — as it happened

Supermarket prices, defence spending, Donald Trump and referendums dominated the second day of the federal election campaign.

A composite image of Anthony Albanese, Peter Dutton and Adam Bandt.

Anthony Albanese, Peter Dutton and Adam Bandt all talked about supermarket price gouging on day two of the election trail, after Albanese announced Labor would outlaw the practice. Source: AAP

Published 30 March 2025 8:57am
Updated 30 March 2025 5:25pm
By SBS News
Source: SBS News

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1 month ago30 Mar 4:58pm
Thanks for being with us. Here's a recap of what's unfolded today
We are concluding our coverage of the second day of the election campaign. Here is everything you need to know:
  • The Albanese government has promised to crack down on price gouging, adding that supermarkets were "taking the piss of Australian consumers". In response, Opposition leader Peter Dutton said Albanese was "weak as water" to take on supermarkets. Meanwhile, Greens leader Adam Bandt said Albanese was "copying the Greens' homework".
  • New YouGov polling shows Labor slightly ahead in the polls with 50.2 per cent of the two-party preferred vote. The same poll estimated there was a 61 per cent chance of a hung parliament, and a 38 per cent chance of a Labor majority government.
  • Albanese said he could "rely" on United States President Donald Trump ahead of 'American Liberation Day', which may deliver more tariffs to Australia.
  • James Paterson said the Coalition had a "better plan" to deal with price gouging, saying they were "happy to make it illegal" and have a plan to introduce targeted divestment powers.
  • The Coalition would consider extending the fuel excise cut after 12 months.
  • Albanese has ruled out another referendum if re-elected. Meanwhile, Dutton said he wanted to revisit adding a preamble section to the constitution for Indigenous recognition if there is bipartisanship.
  • Dutton has said he would keep Kevin Rudd as ambassador to the US if elected, saying he hopes Rudd can "advance" Australia's national interests.
  • Dutton visited a brick factory in Sydney and said the election was a "test" of economic management. He continued his trip in Western Sydney, heading to an Assyrian New Year event in Fairfield.
- Alexandra Koster
1 month ago30 Mar 4:53pm
So is price gouging taking place? And what could a ban mean for shoppers?
Much of the day has been focused on Anthony Albanese's announcement that Labor will outlaw supermarkets price gouging if re-elected.

Both the Opposition and the Greens have responded — with the Coalition saying Labor's plan doesn't go far enough, and the Greens' Adam Bandt and Nick McKim taking credit for the idea.

Alexandra Koster and Alex Gallagher have taken a look at the three parties' policies, whether price gouging is actually happening in supermarkets, and how a ban on price gouging could impact consumers, here:
READ MORE

What Labor's proposed price gouging ban could mean for your grocery bill

1 month ago30 Mar 4:40pm
Do you need to enrol to vote?
With the federal election to be held on 3 May, there is now a short window of time for eligible voters not yet enrolled to vote to get their name on the electoral roll.

Early voting and postal votes
are convenient options for many people, but there are a few things to know, whichever sort of vote you plan on casting.

Sam Dover has put together this podcast explaining who is eligible to vote, how to go about registering, and other important details:
READ MORE

Voting 101: Do you need to vote in the federal election?

1 month ago30 Mar 4:16pm
Peter Dutton rubs shoulders with Chris Bowen and NSW premier in Fairfield
After his visit to a brickworks in Eastern Creek in Sydney's west this morning, Peter Dutton headed to an Assyrian New Year event in nearby Fairfield.

Labor's Climate Change and Energy Minister Chris Bowen — the MP for the federal division of McMahon, which takes in parts of Fairfield — also attended the event and was photographed near Dutton, as was NSW Premier Chris Minns.
Peter Dutton at a community event, surrounded by others, and holding the hand of someone in traditional dress.
Peter Dutton at the Assyrian New Year celebrations at Fairfled Showgrounds. Source: AAP / Mick Tsikas
Chris Bowen and Chris Minns standing surrounded by people at a cultural event.
Climate Change and Energy Minister Chris Bowen and NSW Premier Chris Minns. Source: AAP / Mick Tsikas
Peter Dutton, Chris Bowen and Chris Minns standing near one another.
Peter Dutton, Chris Bowen and Chris Minns as the Assyrian New Year celebrations. Source: AAP / Mick Tsikas
The remaining parts of Fairfield are in the federal division of Fowler. Independent Dai Le — who was also at the Assyrian New Year event — currently holds the seat, having taken it from Labor at the last election.

Labor is now
running community lawyer Tu Le as its candidate
, three years after she was overlooked in favour of former NSW premier Kristina Keneally.

— Alex Gallagher
1 month ago30 Mar 3:30pm
Are we seeing Trumpian style politics in Australia?
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has been careful in his responses when journalists have asked whether he thinks Peter Dutton is borrowing from United States President Donald Trump's playbook.

So, is it fair to compare Dutton to Trump?

Charis Chang looks at how the US president became an outsized figure on the world stage and why his political influence is being seen around the world, including in Australia, here:
READ MORE

Why Donald Trump is 'someone we can't avoid' this election

1 month ago30 Mar 2:52pm
Coles and peak retail body respond to proposed price gouging ban
Coles and peak retail body the Australian Retailers Association (ARA) have responded to the prime minister announcing plans to outlaw price gouging this morning.

A spokesperson for Coles rejected claims that the supermarket giant engaged in price gouging.

"Despite a 12-month inquiry into supermarkets, neither the government or the [Australian Competition and Consumer Commission] found evidence of price gouging," they said in a statement.

"What's needed are measures that tackle the real factors driving higher grocery prices, which are rising costs such as energy, fuel, labour, insurance, production, freight and distribution."
READ MORE

Supermarkets respond to watchdog report as Labor faces fresh calls for breakup powers

ARA chief industry affairs officer Fleur Brown similarly said that repeated inquiries have "failed to find any evidence of supermarket price gouging".

"The ACCC's findings clearly state that grocery inflation has been driven higher by the cost of wages, energy and fuel," she said.

"Yet instead of hearing how the government will address these issues, which significantly affect all Australian retailers and consumers, we unfortunately see more taxpayer-funded deflection.

"The ARA calls on [the] government to focus on policies that drive down the cost of doing business in Australia, which will have a direct impact on grocery prices and the cost of living for Australian families. We need measures that reduce red tape, increase productivity or drive down costs."
READ MORE

Watchdog unveils proposal to end supermarket price-gouging, shrinkflation

What did the ACCC's report find?

Earlier this month, Australia's consumer watchdog, the ACCC, released its final report after a year-long supermarket inquiry.

While it did not release definitive evidence of price gouging, it found the market dominance of Woolworths and Coles had an "oligopolistic" effect on the broader industry and that the pair are among the most profitable supermarket businesses in the world.

It found that between 2018 and late 2021, grocery prices increased largely in line with wages, but by the end of 2022 and start of 2023, grocery prices were increasing at more than twice the rate of wage growth. Supermarket profits have increased in that time, but the major companies claim it is not a "dramatic" rise.

When it released its report, ACCC deputy chair Mick Keogh said it was "very difficult" to tell whether price gouging was happening in supermarkets.


"The profitability figures do give you some very broad picture of what's happening, but the issue of price gouging isn't one we were able to engage in too closely."


— Alex Gallagher
1 month ago30 Mar 2:43pm
Greens say supermarkets should face more than just fines
Greens leader Adam Bandt has said supermarket companies that abuse their market power should face the prospect of divestiture.

Elaborating on Labor’s plan to make price gouging by supermarkets illegal, Bandt told journalists the Greens supported serious penalties beyond just fines for such behaviour.
"These supermarkets are making billions of dollars of profits, the fines do need to be high to make sure that the supermarkets listen," he said.

"But even more than that, what the Greens want to see is the supermarkets know that they could be broken up as well if they keep on abusing shoppers and abusing their market power, that’s where the penalty should be."

— Aleisha Orr
1 month ago30 Mar 2:27pm
Greens take credit for Labor's plan to ban supermarket price gouging
Greens senator Nick McKim has suggested Prime Minister Anthony Albanese may have been "browsing the Greens' website looking for policy ideas," following his announcement Labor would make supermarket price gouging illegal if re-elected.

Last year, the Greens introduced a bill to ban supermarket price gouging, which was voted against by both Labor and the Liberals.

Greens leader Adam Bandt said pressure from his party was having an impact.

"The Greens get Labor to act. If Labor had voted for our bill last year, shoppers would have cheaper groceries already, but this move is better late than never," he said in a statement.

"Greens pressure works," Bandt posted on X. "After adopting most of our plan to see the GP for free, Labor has now followed the Greens' plan to make supermarket price gouging illegal."
McKim suggested a number of Greens policies he would like Labor to commit to implementing.

"While Mr Albanese is browsing the Greens' website looking for policy ideas, he should also copy and paste our plan to get dental into Medicare and end native forest logging."

Bandt made comments pre-empting a possible minority government after the upcoming election.

"The Greens are leading the way this election, and with a minority parliament coming, we can keep Dutton out and get Labor to get dental and mental health into Medicare, wipe all student debt, cap rent increases, and stop new coal and gas."

— Aleisha Orr
1 month ago30 Mar 1:42pm
Dutton questioned on a trio of referendums
Dutton was asked about the possibility of multiple referendums during his appearance at Austral brickworks in Sydney.

First up, he was asked about his previous comments to The Australian about leaving the door open for a referendum on Indigenous constitutional recognition.

The Opposition leader told the newspaper he wants to revisit adding a preamble section to the Constitution for Indigenous recognition if there is bipartisanship. Dutton was a leading figure in the No campaign for an Indigenous Voice to Parliament last year.

Speaking in Sydney, Dutton said there would be "no referendum until there is a position of bipartisanship, and clearly there is no bipartisanship on the issue, and there will be no referendum over the course of the next term of parliament. The prime minister has made it very clear."

Dutton was later asked about a referendum on introducing fixed four-year parliamentary terms — something both he and Anthony Albanese have expressed support for. He said Labor has "no interest" in pursuing a referendum on the matter, so it's a "moot point".
READ MORE

Why Australia holds federal elections every three years

Indeed, while
Albanese has expressed support for implementing four-year terms
, he's ruled out bringing the matter to a public vote during his second term if re-elected.

Finally, Dutton was asked about previous comments that he would support
giving ministers discretionary power to terminate the citizenship of dual nationals
found to have committed serious crimes. That would require constitutional change and, therefore a referendum to be held.

Dutton did not address whether he would push for such a referendum if he becomes prime minister. He instead said that if existing laws were not sufficient to keep communities safe, "we can look at options that are available to us".
READ MORE

World leaders are cracking down on dual citizens — and Peter Dutton wants to join them

The former minister for immigration and home affairs said he wants to "make our country safer" and that he "deported 6,000 criminals".

— Aleisha Orr, Alex Gallagher
1 month ago30 Mar 1:21pm
Peter Dutton frames election as test on economic management
Earlier in his address in Sydney, Peter Dutton said the upcoming election would be "a test of, who do you trust to manage the economy", blaming Labor leaders for cost of living pressures.

"I want to get prices down, make sure we can stop the wreckage of [Energy Minister] Chris Bowen and Anthony Albanese in relation to the energy policy and that has forced up the price of electricity," Dutton said.

"Mr Albanese is promising 70 cents a day in a tax cut, which doesn't start for 15 months. I think this prime minister is out of touch with how much pain Australians are feeling."

Dutton said Albanese had "broken his promise" in relation to reducing power prices and said a $150 rebate on electricity bills promised by Labor would not go far enough.
Peter Dutton wearing a hard hat and a hi-vis vest on a visit to a brick factory.
Opposition Leader Peter Dutton visited a brick factory in Sydney as part of its campaign in the lead up to the election. Source: SBS / Anna Henderson
"The prime minister can't afford to keep giving out the cheques because people's power bills have gone up by $1,300."

Dutton said the Coalition "has a positive plan to make sure we can manage the economy effectively."

He reiterated that the Coalition would consider extending its
planned fuel excise cuts
beyond an initial 12-month period if elected.

This was touted earlier in the day by the Opposition's home affairs spokesperson and Coalition campaign spokesperson James Paterson on ABC's Insiders program.

The Coalition has also said it would
immediately introduce a National Gas Plan
to prioritise domestic supply of gas in an effort to drive down energy bills.

Dutton was asked to provide a dollar figure of how much better off he believed Australians would be under a Coalition government, in regard to gas and electricity prices. The Opposition leader refused, saying further details would be provided throughout the coming days of the campaign.

— Aleisha Orr
1 month ago30 Mar 1:14pm
Dutton would keep Kevin Rudd as ambassador to the US if elected
Peter Dutton has been asked about his comments that Kevin Rudd, Australia's ambassador to the United States, is "persona non grata" in the US, and whether that means he would consider withdrawing him.

Dutton says he wouldn't, and that he hopes Rudd can "succeed in advancing our nation's interest".
READ MORE

Trump adviser makes cryptic post about Kevin Rudd's role as ambassador to the US

Dutton goes on to say that when the Coalition was in government, they negotiated the AUKUS arrangement with a Democrat administration, and "we did that respectfully and negotiated hard".

"The AUKUS submarines will underpin our national security for the next century," he says.

Referencing the global tariffs recently introduced on steel and aluminium by the US — with
Australia failing to secure an exemption
— Dutton says he believes he'd be able to "drive a better deal for Australia in our negotiations with the US".

— Alex Gallagher
1 month ago30 Mar 12:53pm
Dutton says Albanese is 'weak as water' on supermarket price gouging
Peter Dutton is speaking at a brickworks in Sydney.

The Opposition leader has been asked about Anthony Albanese's comments this morning that supermarkets are "taking the piss" out of Australian consumers.

Dutton says it's the sixth policy review the prime minister has offered in three years.

"Prices have gone up by 30 per cent. So I would say that the prime minister is weak as water, I really would. The supermarkets know it and Australians know it. I think you've got a prime minister who can't stand up to the supermarkets.

"We have said to the supermarkets, you rip off Australian consumers, and you continue to believe that your market share gives you power in the market that should be exploited, I will act as prime minister, and this prime minister has demonstrated that he won't."

Dutton says the Coalition's policy is divestiture, a supermarket commissioner and "significant fines that start at $10 million".

"Prices are up at supermarkets at the moment because of Anthony Albanese. That's the predominant reason."

— Alex Gallagher
1 month ago30 Mar 12:05pm
Opposition leader to speak soon from Sydney
Peter Dutton is in Sydney, where he's campaigning from a brick factory in the McMahon electorate, held by Climate Change and Energy Minister Chris Bowen on a healthy margin.

Speaking earlier this morning on 2GB radio, Dutton dismissed Albanese's supermarket price gouging ban, reiterating the Coalition's plan to divest supermarkets that engage in poor conduct.

We'll have more updates for you as they come in.

— Anna Henderson, Alex Gallagher
1 month ago30 Mar 11:36am
Albanese rules out another referendum if re-elected
Anthony Albanese says he has no plans to hold a referendum if re-elected in May.

The prime minister has previously expressed his support for implementing four-year fixed parliamentary terms, a change that would require support in the form of a successful referendum. But he has ruled out bringing the matter to a public vote during a second term.

"I have no intention and will not be holding a referendum in the next term," Albanese tells reporters while appearing at a press conference in Canberra.
READ MORE

The 124-year-old feature of Australian elections that Albanese supports changing

Albanese brought the matter of introducing an
Indigenous Voice to Parliament to a referendum
in 2023. However, 60 per cent of Australians, and Liberal leader Peter Dutton, rejected the proposal.

Albanese concedes that the chances of a majority of the public supporting change in any referendum is low.

"Referendums are hard. They have been carried just ... I think the figures are eight out of 48, or something like that, times. And there has been a referendum twice for a four-year fixed term."

Bipartisan support has also proven to be a factor in referendum outcomes, something Albanese also flags as a potential reason not to take the matter to a public vote in the short term.

"If there is something that has defined Peter Dutton's leadership, it is saying no," he said.

"Sometimes he doesn't say no straightaway, but usually he does."

Last year, Dutton was reported to have said he was willing to discuss the idea of four-year fixed terms with Albanese, but when questioned on the topic earlier this year, he said such a proposal was "a desperate play from a desperate prime minister who is clinging to office".

— Aleisha Orr
1 month ago30 Mar 11:13am
Supermarkets 'taking the piss of Australian consumers', says Albanese
Speaking at a press conference in Canberra, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese continues to speak about his plans to crack down on supermarket price gouging.

"Australians deserve a fair go at the checkout, and my government will hold the big supermarket chains to account," he said.

Finance Minister Katy Gallagher added that the new plans aim to combat rising cost of living pressures.
Two people speaking in a backyard.
Anthony Albanese and Finance Minister Katy Gallagher speaking in Canberra. Source: AAP / Lukas Coch
"The Anthony Albanese government is focused on responding to those cost of living pressures. We have heard Australians are under pressure. We know prices at the supermarket have hit household budgets, and that’s why this government for the last three years has been focused on doing what we can to take pressure off households without adding to inflation."

After criticism from the Opposition's James Paterson that Albanese couldn't define what price gouging is, Albanese said: "I got asked today by someone as well, how do you know what's price gouging? Price gouging is when supermarkets are taking the piss of Australian consumers. That’s what price gouging is."

— Alexandra Koster
1 month ago30 Mar 11:06am
New YouGov polling findings a 'decisive change in the Australian political landscape'
YouGov's Paul Smith says that its second MRP poll of the year — the largest poll undertaken in Australia, with 38,629 interviews — shows a "decisive change".

YouGov's new poll says Labor is best positioned to form government with 50.2 per cent of the two-party preferred vote. The most likely result is Labor finishing on 75 seats, with its models suggesting it could win between 69 and 80 seats.

It suggests if the election were held today, the Coalition would win between 55 to 68 seats (60 the most likely outcome), with no path to forming majority government.

"This is a decisive change in the Australian political landscape — from a likely Coalition government in February to a likely Labor government now," Smith says.

"The turnaround is because of a 1.3 per cent swing to Labor, which sees the Coalition fall behind in 10 key marginal seats that they were projected to win in our previous projection. As the election nears, the data points to a very dynamic campaign.”

The MRP model (multi-level modeling and post-stratification) also projects individual seat results, unlike other major polls.

It found in Victoria, Liberal MP Dan Tehan, currently the Opposition's immigration and citizenship spokesperson, will lose his seat of Wannon to independent challenger Alex Dyson, while Opposition housing spokesperson Michael Sukkar will also lose his seat of Deakin to Labor.

It also projects Cowper, held by retiring Nationals MP Pat Conaghan, will flip to a Climate 200-backed independent, Caz Heise.

Labor will still take an electoral haircut, with Bennelong, Gilmore, Werriwa, Robertson, Lyons and Aston likely to fall.

But compared to the first MRP poll released in February, a further 10 likely Coalition gains are back in the Labor camp.

— Naveen Razik
1 month ago30 Mar 10:58am
Coalition would increase defence spending beyond 2.3 per cent, Paterson says
James Paterson says the Australian Defence Force is "stretched" under the current government and that a Coalition government would increase defence spending beyond 2.3 or 2.4 per cent of Australia's GDP.

Defence spending currently sits at around 2 per cent, and Labor has committed to raising it to around 2.3 per cent in a decade's time.

Paterson said that's not enough, but wouldn't give an exact figure when asked by David Speers how much the Coalition would raise spending by. He said that would be announced sometime in the next few weeks.

"We will spend more and faster," he says.

— Alex Gallagher
1 month ago30 Mar 10:57am
Concerns 'rat-bag protesters' will keep politicians from the public
James Paterson was asked on Insiders about protesters crashing multiple election campaign events yesterday.

"I'm very concerned about this," he said.

"It comes in the context of the federal police saying that threats to parliamentarians are the highest they have ever been and it means police have to divert significant resources to protecting politicians at campaign events that could otherwise be out there solving crimes in the community and it's very regrettable.
"These rat-bag protesters turning up at events might think they are clever, but they will only make our politicians more removed from the public. I don't think that is a good thing."

— Naveen Razik
1 month ago30 Mar 10:45am
Paterson says Coalition's migration policy will be released 'soon'
James Paterson has confirmed that details about the Coalition's migration reduction policy will be released "soon", which David Speers pushes back on.

Speers: "How will you reduce it? Take a look at the make-up of permanent migration. It's mostly skilled migrants — 71 per cent, 28 per cent from family, reunion and a small number of special eligibility. Which part will you cut?"

Paterson: "We will announce our policy on how we will reduce permanent migration and temporary migration, so that net overseas migration is reduced from what it is now."

Speers: "I'm asking about permanent. You said you will cut it by 25 per cent, will that be across skilled and family?"

Paterson: "The good news is Australians don't have long to wait. Our policy will be released soon and be open to scrutiny. Happy to discuss it at that time."

Speers: "There's only three weeks before people start voting in early voting ... are you giving people a fair go to look at your plans?"

Paterson: "Long before the first Australian casts their vote, these policy also be out in the public domain for people to scrutinise."

— Alexandra Koster
1 month ago30 Mar 10:35am
Coalition would consider extending fuel excise cut after 12 months
James Paterson tells David Speers that the Coalition will consider extending its planned fuel excise cuts beyond an initial 12-month period if elected.

It's estimated that
halving the fuel excise from 50 cents to 25 cents per litre
would save a one-car household roughly $700 over one year.

"We're promising it for one year, we'll review it if it's necessary," Paterson says.

— Alex Gallagher
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