Debates blur as housing plan announced

More affordable homes could be built in the country under a $200 million Labor plan
to take the pressure off overcrowded cities - as the debates on immigration and
sustainability were further blurred.
It was the first formal policy announcement of the campaign but the money wasn't
new, just rebadged from a rental affordability program promised at the last
election.
And the first opinion poll conducted since the election was called shows it is going
to be a tight race.
A Galaxy poll, commissioned by the Nine Network, had Labor and the coalition neck
and neck after the distribution of preferences, each at 50 per cent support.
Both leaders began their first full day of campaigning in the two states that may
well decide the August 21 election - Queensland and NSW.
Prime Minister Julia Gillard kicked off campaigning in Brisbane, with a new poll
suggesting that Labor will have some ground to make up in Queensland after dumping
former leader Kevin Rudd.
The Galaxy poll, published by News Limited, found a majority of voters - 57 per cent
- believed the treatment of the former prime minister had harmed Labor's chances of
re-election.
Treasurer Wayne Swan admitted it could be a problem for Labor.
"It's certainly a factor," he told the Nine Network.
Mr Rudd, who has been in the United States, returned to Canberra on Sunday to help
his son Marcus get ready for the new school term in Australia.
He plans to begin campaigning in his seat of Griffith on Wednesday, seemingly
putting paid to suggestions he may still pull out of politics.
If he were to change his mind, he would need to notify Labor in advance of July 29,
when nominations close for all seats.
Opposition Leader Tony Abbott had the cameras in tow when he visited the home of
Christian and Emilie Knights in the marginal seat of Lindsay in western Sydney,
where issues like asylum seekers, interest rates and the cost of living are playing
on the minds of voters.
"We heard a lot from the Labor Party before the 2007 election about restraining the
cost of living ... (but) the cost of living just goes up and up," he said.
Ms Gillard chose a younger audience to test her charms, starting her day by
indulging in the ultimate political cliche, kissing and cuddling babies in suburban
Chermside.
She then moved on to one of the issues that Labor believes is central to its
re-election chances.
In a speech to the Eidos Institute in Brisbane, Ms Gillard reiterated her opposition
to a "big Australia", pledging to take control of the nation's future.
Ms Gillard assured families who were suffering under "rapid and often sustainable
growth" that she understood the problems they faced getting a doctor's appointment,
in peak hour traffic and on overflowing public transport services.
"Australia cannot and should not hurtle down the track towards a big population,"
she said.
She denied Labor was shutting the door on newcomers.
"But ... growth should make life better for Australian families - not make things
harder," Ms Gillard said.
The coalition rejects Ms Gillard's assurance.
"While claiming she's concerned about rising population, she refuses to change any
of Kevin Rudd's policies that have created the problem," opposition immigration
spokesman Scott Morrison said in a statement.
"Labor has lost control of our immigration program and cannot be trusted to fix the
mess they have created."
As part of its plan to take the pressure off cities like Sydney, Melbourne and
Brisbane, Labor will funnel $200 million to local councils to build support
infrastructure for housing developments.
The government hopes the funding will support the building of up to 15,000 new homes
in country towns over the next three years.
The money has been siphoned from the National Rental Affordability Scheme, which
will now deliver its target of 50,000 homes over a longer period of time.
Housing wasn't the only household issue to grab attention on day two of the campaign.
In echoes of a John Howard promise from the 2004 campaign, Mr Abbott pledged his
policies would keep interest rates in check.
When asked on Sky News on Sunday whether he could guarantee his policies would put
downward pressure on interest rates, he replied: "Absolutely I do."
Ms Gillard mocked the promise.
"Haven't we heard this from the Liberal Party before and does everyone remember what
happened afterwards," she told reporters.
But the coalition might have the last laugh when the Reserve Bank board meets on
August 3, with a hike in the cash rate a possibility.
In 2007, in an unprecedented move, the central bank raised rates during the election
campaign.