Protesters trail Scott Morrison and Labor MPs campaigning in Northern Territory

They were not permitted to stay, but later interrupted a press conference as Morrison announced $14m for community ventures to address youth crime, antisocial behaviour and mental health in Alice Springs.

Albanese, on day three of his seven-day Covid isolation period, did not hold any media appearances of his own. He gave several television interviews via video link on Friday evening.

Both leaders have had awkward interactions with protesters and members of the public while campaigning. Morrison was criticised by several people he encountered on visits to pubs, and was jeered by some while walking through the Sydney Royal Easter Show.

Albanese declined to take a question from a bystander who entered his press conference in Perth, while another press conference in Brisbane was shifted from a park into a nearby back yard after Liberal protesters arrived. He also received a mixed reaction of cheers and boos while appearing at the Byron Bay Bluesfest last weekend.

Earlier, Morrison had pledged $300m for a Northern Territory energy and jobs package, including $70m for a clean hydrogen hub in Darwin, and $100m for carbon capture and storage connected to natural gas projects from Santos. The Coalition claimed this investment would create 3,800 jobs.

Labor announced on Sunday it would train 500 extra First Nations health workers, as well as funding 30 new dialysis units for kidney disease, and doubling federal funding for rheumatic heart disease screening, treatment and prevention programs.