With campaign combat finally coming to a head, Crikey’s very own Election Tracker gives us an idea of where key battles are being fought.
Overall, young hopeful Kevin Rudd leads veteran incumbent John Howard in the campaign click count – an all ‘round impressive 34604 kms to 20671 kms – but these figures only scratch the surface of Campaign07.
According to the Tracker both leaders are playing favourites in state and territory terms, courting as follows:
New South Wales
Howard (home state): 5 visits over 11 days
Rudd: 3 visits over 6 days
Queensland
Howard: 2 visits over 2 days
Rudd (home state): 4 visits over 9 days
Western Australia
Howard: 3 visits over 3 days
Rudd: 3 visits over 3 days
Victoria
Howard: 2 visits over 6 days
Rudd: 3 visits over 3 days
Australian Capital Territory
Howard: 2 visits over 3 days
Rudd: 3 visits over 3 days
South Australia
Howard: 1 visit over 2 days
Rudd: 2 visits over 3 days
Northern Territory
Howard: 1 visit over 1 day
Rudd: 1 visit over 1 day
Tasmania
Howard: 0 visits
Rudd: 1 visit over 1 day
And an even closer look reveals that you’re most likely to find the pollies in marginal seats (surprise, surprise):
No. of seats held by a margin of less than 10% visited
Howard: 22
Rudd: 21
No. of seats held by a margin of more than 10% visited
Howard: 2
Rudd: 5
John Howard’s own seat of Bennelong, held by a whisker, is where the PM has spent the most time, while Kevin Rudd has shown a preference for the Brisbane area – his key announcement stops including Griffith, Blair and Ryan.
But if it’s a laugh you’re after, the Tracker’s best gaffes have no doubt been delivered by loose-lipped Nationals candidate for Leichardt, Ian “I’m not sexist” Crossland – see entries for Day 2, Day 4 and Day 10. Honourable mentions also go to Malcolm Turnbull, Kevin Rudd and, of course, Tony Abbott.
Keep watching Crikey’s Election Tracker for updates as the happen.
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