There were lessens for both major parties in Longman- more worrying for the Coalition than Labor. It showed voter volatility and disenchantment, and that One Nation remains a powerful force.
Labor’s strong showing in its seats and the Liberals’ generally poor performance will be a huge fillip to Bill Shorten.
AAP/Dan Peled
Ahead of Saturday’s crucial byelections, senior Labor Party figures have described a vote for Pauline Hanson’s One Nation party as a vote for the Coalition. What do the records show?
LNP candidate Trevor Ruthenberg, One Nation candidate Matthew Stephen and Labor candidate Susan Lamb.
Mick Tsikas/AAP
Dennis Atkins, the Courier Mail's national affairs editor, says the result in the Longman byelection is anybody's guess due to preference changes.
The Longman byelection is so tightly contested it has drawn many senior politicians to campaign. Here Labor candidate Susan Lamb is flanked by Shadow Minister for Skills, TAFE and Apprenticeships Doug Cameron, and Deputy Leader of the Opposition Tanya Plibersek.
AAP/Glenn Hunt
In announcing the retreat, Finance Minister Mathias Cormann reaffirmed that the government remained committed to the cuts, and cast the July 28 byelections as a referendum on them.
The Centre Alliance’s Rebeka Sharkie looks to be a strong contestant in Mayo’s by-election.
AAP/Kelly Barnes
With the contest for the five ‘Super Saturday’ byelections heating up, Longman hangs in the balance, while Rebekha Sharkie has a solid lead in Mayo.
Minister for Finance Mathias Cormann, Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and Treasurer Scott Morrison announce the passage of their income tax package.
AAP/Mick Tsikas
It was a busy week in politics, with the federal government passing its income tax package, more squabbling over the ABC, and all parties gearing up for the July 28 byelections.