A six week campaign will officially begin tomorrow after Prime Minister Scott Morrison called a May 21 election.
Mr Morrison has visited Governor-General David Hurley in Yarralumla and asked him to dissolve Parliament.
The Prime Minister starts the campaign as a clear underdog with the polls suggesting Anthony Albanese is poised to guide Labor to an election win for the first time since 2010.
Last night, Mr Morrison released a US-style campaign video signalling the start of the official campaign as he desperately tries to turn around public perception.
Why I love Australia pic.twitter.com/acmDsLgYo4
— Scott Morrison (@ScottMorrisonMP) April 9, 2022
Mr Morrison will be hoping he can repeat his incredible 2019 election result when he defied the polls to lead the Coalition to victory over Labor and Bill Shorten.
Labor is likely to have learned the lessons of 2019 and a fresh-faced, trimmed down Anthony Albanese believes his time is now.
He also released a campaign video last night.
No more mistakes.
No more excuses.
No more Morrison. pic.twitter.com/qnd87qa5T3
— Australian Labor (@AustralianLabor) April 9, 2022
Locally, Labor holds the seat of Parramatta by 3.5 per cent but veteran MP Julie Owens is retiring.
Andrew Charlton will contest the seat for Labor while Maria Kovacic is hoping to grab it for the Coalition.
The Greens are also contesting Parramatta via Phil Bradley while Rob Sinclair will run as an Independent and Julian Fayad is United Australia’s candidate. Steve Christou has also announced he will run as an Independent.
While the Prime Minister flew from Sydney to Canberra today to call the election, the Opposition Leader stayed in Sydney – visiting the Royal Easter Show.
A small band of protesters greeted Mr Morrison at Government House but remained peaceful as his government vehicle drove by.
In a press conference at Parliament House this morning – perhaps the last time he will deliver a message from that famous courtyard and podium – Mr Morrison urged voters to stick with him.
“I love this country and I love Australians. And I know Australians have been through a very tough time. I also know what Australia continues to face very tough challenges in the years ahead,” he said.
“I get that people are tired of politics as we go into this election. But this election and this campaign is incredibly important because there is so much at stake for Australia. This election is about you. No-one else. Above all this election is a choice – a choice between a strong economy and a Labor opposition that would weaken it. It’s a choice between an economic recovery that is leading the world and a Labor opposition that would weaken it and risk it. It’s a choice between responsible financial management… and a Labor opposition that you know can’t manage money.”
He said Labor had been too focused on politics in recent years and it was unknown what they stood for.
“It a choice between a strong future and an uncertain one,” Mr Morrison said.
“Our government is not perfect. We’ve never claimed to be. But we are up front. You may see some flaws but you can also see what we have achieved.”
Troy Dodds is Parra News' Managing Editor and Breaking News Reporter. He has more than 20 years experience as a journalist, working with some of Australia’s leading media organisations. In 2023, he was named Editor of the Year at the Mumbrella Publish Awards.