1. Economy The economy is a key issue for voters, especially given the fallout from Brexit and voters' fears of global economic instability. The economy is Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull's strength. He's a former merchant banker and has hammered home his campaign message of jobs and growth. He's promised to cut the company tax rate for small businesses and will phase it into the wider business sector. Labor supports company tax cuts for businesses but not for bigger businesses.
2. Refugees This is a hot-button issue. Mr Turnbull has boasted 700 days without "boat people" reaching Australia. Policies include detention on Manus Island and Nauru despite, the government coming under fire over conditions at the detention centres. Labor's Bill Shorten has said he would leave the door open to using New Zealand to resettle refugees from Manus Island and Nauru.
3. Marriage equality Mr Turnbull has promised to hold a non-binding referendum on same-sex marriage. Mr Shorten has pledged his first job if elected would be to take a bill to Parliament to change the law to allow for same-sex marriage.
4. Climate change Climate change has been a key battleground in past elections and the carbon tax was a key issue in the Rudd/Gillard/Rudd leadership spills. Neither the Coalition or Labor wants to impose a fixed price on carbon.
5. Great Barrier Reef Both parties have pledged to tackle issues on the reef, including reducing run-off and managing coral bleaching. Mr Turnbull's Coalition has pledged AU$1 billion over 10 years for loans for clean energy projects to improve water quality and reduce toxic run-off. Labor has promised AU$500 million for research and environmental programs.
Newshub.
