Australian politics and news live: Albanese, Dutton home for Easter Sunday ahead of crucial week

Labor’s Murray Watt has accused the Coalition of “fabricating” reports that Russia sought to base military aircraft in Indonesia, saying the Opposition’s request for a security briefing was as absurd as demanding one on the Loch Ness Monster.

The story that first appeared on respected military site Janes and prompted a feud between the major parties on how much Australia knew about the alleged request by Moscow.

“The Opposition is asking for a briefing on something that doesn’t exist,” Watt told Sky News on Sunday.

“Peter Dutton ran his mouth of f... accusing the Indonesian President of making statements he did not make.”

It comes after denials from Jakarta, with Defence Minister Richard Marles saying Indonesian officials have rejected reports Russia had asked to park planes at a Papua air base.

Nationals Senator Bridget McKenzie also faced heat after claiming Russia and China wanted to see Labor re-elected, a comment she later walked back.

“Bridget Mackenzie, took it one step further and made the accusation that China and Russia want to see the Labor government restored. And of course, had to embarrassingly walk that back when that was also shown to be a lie,” Mr Watt said.

“Until this week, I didn’t think it was possible for the coalition’s campaign to become even more shambolic than the work from home back down, which apparently is now back on the agenda.

“But now this week, we’ve seen that the prospective Australian prime minister have to apologize for fabricating a claim made by the Indonesian President.”

An open letter from 60 Australian economists has rejected the coalition’s nuclear energy plan, promoting instead the subsidising of household clean energy policies, including incentives for home battery storage.

The organiser of the letter, Gareth Bryant, an associate professor in political economy at the University of Sydney, says the letter is intended as an intervention in the election campaign.

“As economists, energy analysts and policy specialists we strongly support government investment in household clean energy and industrial electrification and not in nuclear energy,” the letter says.

It says simple household clean energy upgrades can deliver immediate cost-of-living benefits and reductions in carbon emissions, and electrification can safeguard the future of industrial jobs and the communities that rely on them.

Read the full story here.

“I can’t believe you took the time to come on my silly podcast.”

That was how Abbie Chatfield, the host of It’s a Lot started her recent interview with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.

The former reality TV star quickly corrected herself: “It’s not that silly . . . It’s actually very important.”

Chatfield, who has since emerged as the face of a national Greens campaign to “keep Dutton out”, was right the second time.

Australia is experiencing its first podcast election.

This Federal election is the first where Millennial and Gen Z voters — aged anywhere from 18 to mid-40s — outnumber baby boomers as the country’s biggest voting block.

Read Kate Emery’s story here.

Australia’s politicians have marked Easter as a time of renewal, faith and family in the midst of their election campaign.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Opposition Leader Peter Dutton will spend Easter Sunday in their respective hometowns of Sydney and Brisbane before the electioneering resumes in earnest.

Mr Dutton said Easter was a time of reflection, especially for Christians around the world, and a time to rest, recharge and be with loved ones.

Read the full story here.

It’s Easter Sunday and for some a day of reflection.

Anthony Albanese will be in Sydney reflecting on surging polling numbers and Peter Dutton will be in Brisbane reflecting on the next two weeks and his push to sway voters.

Church services and media opportunities will be the order of the day ahead of pre-poll stations opening around Australia on Tuesday.

Lock yourself in as The Nightly brings you all the political news and views right here.