Roundup: Coalition government will deliver strong, decisive leadership if elected: Australian PM

Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has urged Australians to back his government to deliver strong leadership and economic growth, as the final touches of his six-week election campaign draw to a close.

Speaking to the Press Club in Canberra on Thursday, the Prime Minister made a last, desperate push to secure votes for Saturday's election, telling voters that only a coalition government would deliver a stronger economy based around his plan for "jobs and growth".

Turnbull said everyday voters were sick of the rhetoric and bickering among the political parties, and instead wanted strong leadership on critical issues such as economic stability, employment and trade.

The Prime Minister said the coalition would continue to do so long into 2019, when the next federal election is likely to occur.

"In these uncertain times, we need to stick together, stick to our economic plan, grow our economy, create more jobs, and build a better future for all Australians," Turnbull told the Press Club on Thursday.

"If re-elected on Saturday, that is what I am committed to delivering."

Backing up his party's plans in their 2016 federal budget, the coalition leader heralded tax incentives for small business, so they could grow to join the burgeoning global economy. In turn, Turnbull said, the growth would kick-start the nation's economy and create jobs for thousands of Australians.

Turnbull said while there were uncertain times in the global economy - he pointed to the recent Brexit vote as a prime example - his coalition government would lead Australia as one of the foremost first-world economies.

"From day one, my Coalition team will be doing everything in our power to safeguard Australians and Australian business from the risk of any external shock flowing from Britain's vote to withdraw from the European Union," Turnbull said.

"It is the duty of the Australian Government to keep this volatility on global markets under close and constant scrutiny we have to be swift and sure-footed to pre-empt any negative effects that could affect investment, growth and jobs here at home.

"I have taken action this week to ensure the new government, whoever is elected, will have the best informed analysis and advice from our Council of Financial Regulators on any measures we may need to take to limit any impact on our economic interests."

Turnbull also touched on the coalition's recent successes in signing free trade deals with Asian powerhouses China, Japan and Korea as a reason to vote Liberal, and said Australia's agricultural and services industries were in the best shape possible as a result of the deals.

"I want to see our farmers and services industries flourishing like never before, with millions of new customers in the markets of Asia to our north, where half of the world's middle class will soon reside," the Prime Minister said.

"According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, the number of small businesses now exporting increased by 12.9 percent in the last financial year alone.

"They are taking advantage of our export trade deals with China, Korea, Japan and Singapore, which provide premium access for Australian business to the leading economies in our part of the world."

Following his official speech, Turnbull also took the opportunity to appeal to a primary left-wing train of thought, telling voters that, when a plebiscite is held to determine whether or not same sex marriage should be legal in Australia, both he and his wife Lucy would be voting 'yes'.

"I can speak on behalf of Lucy and myself here, we will be voting 'yes' in the plebiscite," he said.

"We completely respect the views of those who will vote 'no', but our view is that we welcome couples making a strong commitment and we are very pleased to support that being described, from a legal point of view, as a marriage."

Meanwhile earlier on Thursday, Opposition Leader Bill Shorten addressed reporters ahead of his final two days on the campaign trail.

Promising to deliver strong leadership on issues such as healthcare, education and social welfare, Shorten said it was time for a Labor government that could serve all Australians.

"I can say with complete honesty and confidence that Labor is ready to govern, ready to implement our policy agenda, ready to serve Australia," he said on Thursday.

"I want to say to the people of this great nation that Labor will serve the interests of all Australians."

Australians head to the polls on July 2. Endit