Labor, Libs downplay Dunkley byelection result as ballots open

This included an emphasis on a bigger tax cut going to lower and middle income earners under the government’s revamped tax package.

“When it comes to cost of living, we’ll examine every day, every week, every month, what more we can do – that’s what we’ve done,” he said.

Voting in Ms Belyea would also ensure the community had a voice in government, Mr Albanese said.

“This is a community that needs a local champion,” he said.

“Jodie Belyea will be that local champion, I have every confidence that she will carry on Peta Murphy’s legacy.”

Opposition Leader Peter Dutton said while the vote wouldn’t change the government, it could send a message to the prime minister he wasn’t doing enough.

“People are paying more and more at the supermarket under this government and your mortgage has gone up,” he said.

“You can understand that there is a level of anger on the ground here.”

Opposition Leader Peter Dutton and Liberal Dunkley candidate Nathan Conroy last month. Eamon Gallagher

Mr Dutton also targeted local crime and tried to link a recent High Court decision releasing immigration detainees, some of whom have allegedly reoffended since being freed, with government inaction.

“(Victoria Police’s) efforts are distracted away from the local response that the community here demands to apply resources to what’s a monumental stuff-up by the government,” he said.

Labor has defended its response after imposing strict visa conditions and surveillance measures.

Mr Albanese slammed the opposition for fear-mongering.

“That’s what Peter Dutton does, it’s all about scare campaigns, he doesn’t worry about the facts, doesn’t worry about the reality,” he said.

The prime minister downplayed Labor’s chances, saying there was an average swing of more than 7 per cent against the government at byelections since the Hawke era.

Mr Dutton also sought to temper expectations, saying while the six per cent margin would be hard to eclipse, anything more than a three per cent swing from the government would be a terrible outcome for the prime minister.

Ms Murphy recorded a 40 per cent primary vote at the 2022 federal election with a small swing towards her, while the Liberals had a 7.4 per cent swing against their primary, which dropped down to 32.5 per cent.

AAP