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Labor's policy costings to add $7.4 billion to the budget

Labor's policies would add $7.4 billion to the budget over the next four years.

The figures were announced today at a press conference by Shadow Treasurer Jim Chalmers and Shadow Finance Minister Katy Gallagher.

Gallagher described the $18.9 billion in new spending as "modest new investments".

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Shadow Treasurer Jim Chalmers.

She also forecast $11.5 billion in "budget improvements over the same time".

"Our plan has deficits but declining in dollar terms and as a percentage of the economy every year," she said.

"Spending as a percent of GDP declines in each and every year."

She noted the "responsible investments" account for just 0.4 per cent of the budget.

"We have worked really hard to make sure that every dollar we have spent is delivering an outcome for the Australian people," she said.

"Jobs, growth, lowering the cost of living, investing in local communities."

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Scott Morrison has slammed Labor for further growing the budget.

Chalmers was scathing of the Morrison government's budgeting over the past few years.

"Whoever wins the election on Saturday will inherit high and rising inflation with interest rates rising as well," he said.

"The worst real wages cut in more than 20 years. 

"$1 trillion in debt with almost nothing to show for it."

The costings documented 13 savings measures.

"We actually have something to show for a budget that is heaving with Liberal and national debt," Chalmers said.

"There is a budget repair task ahead of whoever wins the election."

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Anthony Albanese held his press conference before the costings were released.

But a Labor government would not force profitable companies to pay back the money they received from JobKeeper.

Labor has heavily criticised companies who took JobKeeper funds even though they didn't need it.

"We don't intend to compel them to return that money to the taxpayer," Chalmers said.

"That horse has bolted."

Labor leader Anthony Albanese was asked by reporters earlier today about why he held his press conference before the costings were released.

"Our policy costings are being released at exactly the same time as the Coalition, when in opposition, released their costings," he said.

"At the same time, in the same timeframe, they'll be released."

Albanese said he stood by the policies.

Speaking in Sydney this afternoon, Morrison panned Labor's costings.

"What we have always seen from the Labor Party is when they can't manage money, they come after yours in higher taxes," he said.

"That is the risk of Labor."

Australia's biggest home builder reassures it is strong despite rumours

The acting CEO of Australia's largest home builder, Metricon, claims the company remains strong, despite its management holding crisis talks in Melbourne this morning.

Acting Metricon CEO Peter Langfelder this afternoon fronted the media to deny rumours that the company is on the verge of collapse.

"Metricon has long term viability," Langfelder said.

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"Our contracts in place are profitable. Everything is completely up to date."

"We've got an incredibly strong management team."

Langfelder conceded it was an "extremely difficult time for business" since its co-founder and chief executive Mario Blasin died on Monday.

He said the business remained strong and would continue "business as usual".

Acting Metricon CEO Peter Langfelder fronted the media to deny rumours that the company is on the verge of collapse.

He insisted there was "no truth to the rumours" about financial struggles within the company.

Executives at the building company have today met with creditors and the Victorian government following Blasin's sudden death.

Metricon employs 2500 workers and has 4000 homes under construction.

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Prime Minister Scott Morrison has said he is "concerned" about the situation involving the home-building giant, but sought to reassure voters the federal and Victorian governments were working together on the issue.

"The priority here is to ensure that people get their homes built, sites remain open and that the company is able to get through these difficulties," Morrison said.

"They are engaging also with the Victorian government and the housing minister has been given my instructions to ensure they are engaging with them and working through these issues."

He said the government was hopeful Metricon would be able to work through its "challenges".

The Victorian government, which has $195 million worth of social and affordable housing projects with Metricon, confirmed it would meet with the company today, The Age reports.

Some of the projects have been finished, while others are under construction or waiting to start.

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The rising cost of materials, COVID-19 shutdowns, supply problems and labour shortages have battered the construction industry.

Australia's recent housing boom had also driven prices of materials and labour up, he said, however the uptick in building appears over, at least for now.

Building approvals across the country collapsed in January, according to Australian Bureau of Statistics data, down 27.9 per cent from December.

Unvaccinated Pauline Hanson catches COVID-19

One Nation leader Pauline Hanson has confirmed she has caught COVID-19 just days before the federal election.

The outspoken senator, who has been vocal on her stance against vaccination and is herself unvaccinated, confirmed she is self-isolating after testing positive for the virus.

"I thank all of those people who have sent their well wishes, and I look forward to disappointing all of those who hope that I drop dead," she said.

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The 67-year-old believes she contracted COVID-19 while campaigning in Perth.

Hanson said she began to show symptoms on Friday last week before testing positive on Saturday.

"I will self-isolate in accordance with the current rules, and do my best to drive One Nation policies from home ahead of this weekend."

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Hanson is hoping to be reelected to the Senate on Saturday.

One Nation members have regularly attended so-called "freedom rallies" to protest against vaccine mandates and other public health measures.

Last year, Hanson declared "I haven't had the jab, I don't intend to have the jab, I'm not putting that shit in my body."