What they said on Day 40 of the campaign

WHAT THEY SAID ON DAY 40 OF THE ELECTION CAMPAIGN

THE BEST LINE

"Everybody pinches the macadamias, so you're left with the cashews."

- Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce reveals the snacking habits of the Turnbull cabinet.

PRIME MINISTER MALCOLM TURNBULL

"Medicare will never ever be sold."

LABOR LEADER BILL SHORTEN

"He has been the Scarlet Pimpernel of this election - they seek him there, they seek him everywhere."

- About the PM's reluctance to debate him.

THE SUPPORT CAST

"Let me tell you, exploitation of workers in this country is not confined to unions - predominantly it's unscrupulous employers exploiting their workforce."

- Opposition workplace relations spokesman Brendan O'Connor.

"Mr Dreyfus is being his usual shrill self."

- Attorney-General George Brandis responds to his Labor counterpart's confected outrage.

"Once you leave politics, I know this comes as a shock, you're a free agent, as much as we'd like at times to rein them in."

- Joyce responds to former Victorian Nats MP Ken Jasper, who is encouraging voters in Indi to vote for independent Cathy McGowan.

"Sometimes I find Mark Latham very erudite about his views about the Australian Labor Party. I think he should be on radio and television all the time."

- Barnaby again.

"Occasionally, you know, you do get concerned about the approach that some people have."

- Senior Labor figure Anthony Albanese on the killing of a British MP.