Opposition Leader Peter Dutton has called on coalition supporters to tune out what he labelled “hate media” as the federal election campaign enters its final days.
Speaking at back-to-back rallies in key marginal seats across suburban Sydney and Melbourne, Mr Dutton urged Liberal voters to stay focused and not be disheartened by media narratives suggesting the race was already lost.
“We are in the fight of our lives over the next six days,”
Mr Dutton told supporters.
Flagging in national opinion polls, the Liberal leader singled out ABC and The Guardian as examples of media outlets he said were campaigning against the coalition.
“Don’t listen to the hate media,” he said.
“We are still absolutely in this, and your votes are going to be critical in deciding the future of our country.”
Mr Dutton’s remarks come as Labor maintains a lead heading into the final week before voters head to the polls on May 3. However, internal party polling reportedly shows a closer contest in several key battleground electorates, including those targeted by Mr Dutton during his campaign stops.
In his address, the opposition leader framed the election as a choice between “more of the same under Labor” or a return to “stronger, more responsible government” under the Liberals. He emphasised issues such as cost of living, energy prices, and national security, areas where the coalition believes it holds an advantage with undecided voters.
Mr Dutton warned that a second term for Prime Minister Anthony Albanese would bring “higher taxes, more division, and economic mismanagement.”
“This election is not a done deal. We can win this if we keep fighting every day until the last ballot is cast,”
he said.
The comments reflect an increasingly aggressive final push by the coalition to energise its base and prevent a potential swing towards independent candidates and minor parties, particularly in suburban and outer-metropolitan seats.
While Labor is aiming to consolidate its position nationally, Mr Dutton’s team is focusing on micro-targeted campaigning, aiming to drive up turnout in Liberal-leaning areas and sway undecided voters.
With nearly 2.4 million Australians having already cast early votes, the pressure is mounting for both major parties to make their final arguments resonate with the broader electorate.
Election Day is scheduled for Saturday, May 3, with polls suggesting that local contests could be crucial in determining whether the Albanese Government secures a second term or if Mr Dutton’s coalition can stage an unexpected comeback.
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