We’re a week in to the federal campaign and I don’t want to alarm you, but this election might just turn out to be about policy.

Is this how politics is supposed to work?

Sure we’ve had campaign mascots gyrating on posters, and the odd candidate faux pas, but the early focus has stayed firmly on income tax, superannuation and climate policy.

Maybe it’s a reflection of the candidates, or voters growing tired of pollies bickering about personality - but for the first time in a long time it’s ideas that are getting all the oxygen.

This week on Please Explain, chief political correspondent, David Crowe, and our deputy federal editor Stephanie Peatling join the panel to dissect the first week of 2019's campaign.

We also check in with our political correspondents on the ground: Michael Koziolwith the Prime Minister in Tasmania, and Shane Wright who's on the road with Opposition Leader Bill Shorten.Become a subscriber

Our supporters power our newsrooms and are critical for the sustainability of news coverage.

Becoming a subscriber also gets you exclusive behind-the-scenes content and invitations to special events. Click on the links to subscribe to The Age or The Sydney Morning Herald.

We&rsquo;re a week in to the federal campaign and I don&rsquo;t want to alarm you, but this election might just turn out to be about policy.
Is this how politics is supposed to work?
Sure we&rsquo;ve had campaign mascots gyrating on posters, and the odd candidate faux pas, but the early focus has stayed firmly on income tax, superannuation and climate policy.
Maybe it&rsquo;s a reflection of the candidates, or voters growing tired of pollies bickering about personality - but for the first time in a long time it&rsquo;s ideas that are getting all the oxygen.
This week on Please Explain, chief political correspondent, David Crowe, and our deputy federal editor Stephanie Peatling join the panel to dissect the first week of 2019's campaign.
We also check in with our political correspondents on the ground: Michael Koziol <a href="https://www.smh.com.au/federal-election-2019/people-often-doubt-me-and-i-prove-them-wrong-scott-morrison-20190417-p51f3j.html" data-ffx-id="p51f3j">with the Prime Minister in Tasmania</a>, and Shane Wright who's <a href="https://www.smh.com.au/federal-election-2019/how-the-west-might-be-won-labor-s-push-to-emerge-from-a-20-year-black-hole-20190417-p51evc.html" data-ffx-id="p51evc">on the road with Opposition Leader Bill Shorten</a>.
<h3>Become a subscriber</h3>
Our supporters power our newsrooms and are critical for the sustainability of news coverage.
Becoming a subscriber also gets you exclusive behind-the-scenes content and invitations to special events. Click on the links to subscribe to <a href="https://subscribe.theage.com.au/" data-track-relatedarticle="inarticlelink">The Age</a> or<a href="https://subscribe.smh.com.au/" data-track-relatedarticle="inarticlelink"> The Sydney Morning Herald.</a>

From the newsrooms of The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age, Please Explain Daily cuts through the noise to give you insight into the stories that drive the nation.

From the newsrooms of The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age, Please Explain Daily cuts through the noise to give you insight into the stories that drive the nation.

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