Rudd on the defensive in Perth
UPDATE: It was the press conference from hell.
Prime Minister Kevin Rudd was addressing the media shortly after speaking at a union event.
About 15 people from different age groups stood behind him - presumably to reflect Labor's appeal to all Australians - at the Unions WA office in Perth today.
But the room was hot and lacked air flow and sweat began to bead on Mr Rudd's forehead.
Then a young girl, aged about 10, who had been standing for most of conference, collapsed.
She was given first aid, and once recovered, offered a seat.
A journalist began to buckle under the heat and walked away as Mr Rudd spoke.
Mr Rudd, looking annoyed, reminded the reporter he was answering his question. The journalist said he was feeling unwell.
To make matters worse, a Labor staffer accidentally turned off the lights in the room, leading the Prime Minister to briefly pause the press conference.
If that wasn't enough, a radio microphone fell off the lectern Mr Rudd was using.
Mr Rudd endured the testy press conference in Perth today as he campaigned in the city.
He has been forced on the defensive after the heads of Treasury and Finance forcefully distanced themselves from Labor for using their departments' figures to attack the coalition over election costings.
But the Prime Minister stood by his claims the official figures showed a $10 billion hole in the coalition's policies.
"The bottom line is this: the fraud being perpetrated on the Australian people is by Mr Abbott refusing as of today to release to the Australian people full costings, full cuts to the Australian people until it is too late on the eve of the election," he said.
"That is not democratic, it is not open."
With sweat visibly running down his face, Mr Rudd also attacked the media for not doing enough to challenge Mr Abbott over his costings.
"Mr Abbott as of today has not faced one element of scrutiny by a range of newspaper outlets on when he will deliver his full costings, his full cuts prior to this election," he said.
The PM began the day campaigning in Perth with an address to Labor faithful.
Mr Rudd announced the Government's cities policy in a speech at Unions WA's headquarters, including the appointment of a dedicated Minister for Cities if re-elected.
The Prime Minister opened it by by praising fromer WA Labor Government infrastructure minister Alannah MacTiernan, who is running for Perth.
"Is the nation ready for Alannah? We don't know yet," he said.
"But WA is and she is going to make a powerful difference right across our nation."
He also rallied the audience of unionists and Labor members and supporters about fighting for change.
"The cause of progressive politics doesn't mystically draw to a close one day," he said.
"It is a rolling project with one core proposition: how do we continue to build a stronger economy which benefits everybody, and how do we ensure that everyone in that economy has a fair go."
The proposed new minister would look at tackling congestion, urban planning and infrastructure over the next decade.
A top priority would be growing jobs in outer suburban areas.
The PM said there were ministers for regional development and primary industries but about 80 per cent of Australia's population lived in cities.
"It's about time they have a look in," he said.
He also talked up the benefits of the national broadband network for telecommuting, criticizing Tony Abbott's "Paleolithic thinking" on superfast internet.
Mr Rudd also visited frontbencher Gary Gray's marginal seat of Brand, where they inspected roadworks to improve access to Kwinana Freeway in Rockingham.
In Hasluck, he discussed disability services.
