Day 12 of the federal election campaign was again overshadowed by trade tensions between the US and China. In Queensland, the Prime Minister pledged funding for school children to visit the Great Barrier Reef. And the Opposition Leader promoted his policy to cut net overseas migration, in Melbourne.

The first of two scheduled election debates has taken place in Western Sydney, home to a number of battleground seats that could decide the election outcome: Fowler, Macarthur, Macquarie, Reid, Parramatta and Werriwa. Cost of living and immigration have loomed large in the debate as the leaders of the major parties seek to win over undecided voters.

Australia's environment laws are not fit for purpose - that's the consensus among campaigners, scientists, business and government. So why has it been so difficult to update the legislation? And will we see reform in the next parliament?

The Australian federal election season has begun and, before you head to the polls, here's a quick breakdown of how the Australian political system works so you can know exactly what you're voting for. In Voting 101, we explain the two chambers of the Australian Parliament and the major political players to be aware of.

The contest for the brand-new electorate of Bullwinkel in Western Australia is shaping up to be one of the most unpredictable contests in the upcoming federal election. The seat was created to reflect the state's growing population, costing New South Wales and Victoria a seat while adding another to WA's tally. The electorate is named in honour of wartime military nurse Vivian Bullwinkel, who survived the 1942 Bangka Island massacre during World War Two and dedicated her life to healthcare. With a diverse mix of rural and suburban voters, Labor, the Liberals, and the Nationals are all vying for control—with a local nurse, a former journalist and Afghanistan veteran, and a high-profile former state opposition leader all determined to claim the seat.

Both major parties have made a pitch to Western Sydney as their federal election campaigns continue. Labor's focus remains on health, whilst the Coalition is promoting its cost of living measures.

The United States has confirmed it will impose a blanket 10 per cent tariff on all Australian goods - but targeted import levies on pharmaceuticals haven't materialised yet. The tariff announcement has spurred a political debate about how to respond to Donald Trump, and a potential global trade war.

Housing, employment, and remote road infrastructure are key issues for voters in remote regions of the Northern Territory. As campaigning continues for the upcoming federal election on May 3rd, SBS travelled to the community of Ramingining, around 600 kilometres east of Darwin, where the Minister for Indigenous Australians took her pitch to voters this week.

The Australian Labor Party, currently led by Anthony Albanese, has been around since the 1890s. With the election just weeks away, SBS explains a bit more about the party.

Labor has asked the Fair Work Commission to deliver an economically sustainable wage rise for 3 million Australians. It comes as the opposition vows to cut red tape for businesses.