Election 2016: Laurie Oakes’ analysis of Labor’s official campaign launch

As election day looms, Labor’s official campaign launch led with ideas for the development of jobs, tearing down accusations of overspending and reaffirming Labor’s belief that they “can win”.

9NEWS political editor Laurie Oakes said Mr Shorten “did a lot of what he needed to do” in his address to the Labor faithful, but left out “plans for costing and financing”.

“He set out his priorities – schools, Medicare, jobs and infrastructure,” Oakes said.

Oakes pointed out that there were not many surprises or new policies announced, aside from the jobs tax cut for “small businesses who employ young workers – mature aged workers, or parents and carers returning to the workforce.”

The cuts delivered “a new initiative to balace the government’s jobs plan,” Oakes said.

Major infrastructure projects for the capital cities were supported, but a plan for financing them was omitted.

“What he didn’t do was set out his plans for costing and financing his programs,” Oakes said.

“He says he ‘will not lead a big-spending government’, but again, no detail about how any of that will be paid for.

“We’re still waiting for that, I don’t know when we’re going to get the answer.”