Economic concerns mount ahead of Australia's May 18 election

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One of the decisions Australian voters will make in less than a week is whether the country's Prime Minister should remain on the job or be replaced.

The contest between Liberal Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Labor Leader Bill Shorten is largely focused on the issue of the economy. Both men are using elements of the economy to highlight the differences in their approaches to government.

"In one sense, the campaign is business as usual for the major parties, talking about tax, how you are going to pay for things, the economy, which is very much the conservative party's strong suit. On the Labor side, health and education should be getting a bigger guernsey," said University of Sydney Lecturer Stewart Jackson.

Leader of the Opposition Bill Shorten delivers a speech at Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne, Australia, May 27, 2017. /VCG Photo

University of Technology Sydney Associate Professor Bligh Grant says this election is proving to less about specific issues and more about two very different styles of governing.

"How the economy ought to work and who ought to benefit and very importantly, what government should be doing to make the economy work," he said.

Climate change is also playing a much more prominent role in this election.

"You've got issues like electric vehicles, a policy on electric vehicles, arriving in Australian politics, which is certainly behind the times compared to many European countries and America as well. So we are finally coming to grips with that technology of the future," said University of New South Wales Lecturer Mark Rolfe.

Australian senators celebrate as the Medical Transfer Bill is passed in the Senate at Parliament House, Canberra, February 13, 2019. /VCG Photo

One issue that has played a dominant role in past elections is security, specifically border security, and how best to stop asylum seekers from reaching Australia's shores illegally by boat.

But there has been little talk this time around about protecting the country's borders.

"Immigration and border security have become marginalized by the competition for ideas over the economy. That's what's occurring in this election to the extend that it is overshadowing personality politics, to the extend that it is overshadowing Australia's relationship with our international partners," said Grant.

(Cover image: Treasurer Josh Frydenberg (L) and Prime Minister Scott Morrison give a press conference at Parliament House, Canberra, November 27, 2018. /VCG Photo)