| The PM is 'pumped up' but his donors are let down, and the Opposition refuses a 'witch hunt' | Good afternoon,
Happy hump day. Here's what happened on the campaign trail today:
1. SUPER CONCERNS NOT JUST FOR THE RICH
Right-wing think tank, the Institute for Public Affairs (IPA), has warned the Coalition's proposed changes to superannuation will affect more that just those Australians classed as "rich".
IPA spokesman John Roskam said the Government's claim that it would only affect the top 4 per cent of wealthy Australians was "simply not correct".
And it appears the policy has upset the Coalition's base, with some Liberal MPs saying there are supporters who are now refusing to donate to the party's election campaign.
Meanwhile, Greens senator Sarah Hanson-Young has stumbled on radio while trying to explain her party's superannuation policy.
The Greens previously said they wanted superannuation contributions to be taxed progressively but this morning Ms Hanson-Young went further, saying "you should be paying the same tax rate on income as you do for what you're earning on your super".
She later back-tracked, saying she was confused.
2. TECH HUB GETS PM 'PUMPED'
The PM has spent the morning in Brisbane selling his plan for tech innovation and he's pretty damn excited: "I'm pumped up! I'm in great form," he said as he visited a tech hub.
He spent almost an hour quizzing entrepreneurs about their plans and announced the Coalition would spend another $15 million to help fund tech start-ups.
3. SHORTEN CONFIDENT FAIR WORK WON'T HIT THE HIP POCKET
The Fair Work Commission will decide after the election whether Sunday penalty rates should be brought into line with Saturday pay for hospitality and retail workers.
But today Mr Shorten declared the industrial umpire won't cut Sunday penalty rates and deflected questions about what he would do if they did.
"The evidence doesn't support it, it isn't going to happen. So when people ask me ... what if, what I'm saying is it's not going to happen," he said.
4. 'I WON'T HAVE SOME GIANT WITCH HUNT'
A number of Labor MPs and candidates have signed a petition calling for the diesel fuel rebate for mining companies to be restricted.
It costs the federal budget around $2 billion a year but Mr Shorten said it's here to stay.
He said he's not too worried about dissent within the ranks: "I lead our party, and I won't have some sort of giant witch hunt that every individual has to agree with me. But the truth of the matter is when it comes to diesel fuel rebate, our policy is the one I just articulated."
Mr Shorten today announced a Labor government would spend $100 million to help communities develop renewable projects like wind farms and rooftop solar panels.
ELECTION SPOTLIGHT: UM, THIS IS AWKWARD
Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce is running for the New South Wales seat of New England but he'll support Queensland in tonight's State Of Origin clash, saying he'll stay true to his roots.
"I played my first game of league in Queensland ... so I'm going to be consistent and support Queensland," he said.
"I don't think it's going to get me many votes saying that. But there's nothing worse than some bloke who, in State Of Origin, starts changing camps."
Even more awkward was when Mr Shorten got his rugby league teams confused, saying he'd back Melbourne Storm ... in the State of Origin ... a competition between Queensland and NSW. Eek.
FROM THE DRUM: TURNBULL MUST BRING ABBOTT BACK - OR RISK LOSING THE ELECTION
Terry Barnes writes that Mr Turnbull must ensure the Liberal base vote is maximised by "regathering lost sheep".
He says he needs to do all he can to keep thousands of Liberal voters, who are disillusioned and still angry and hurt at the deposing of Tony Abbott, in the Government's tent.
In other words, Turnbull must court, and not dismiss, those angry Abbott-loyalist Liberals.
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