Peter Dutton has made a personal pitch to voters and promised to rein in government spending at the coalition's first campaign rally ahead of the federal election.
Addressing the party faithful in the marginal Labor-held electorate of Chisholm in Melbourne's east, Mr Dutton accused Labor of disregarding everyday Australians and described the looming poll as a last chance to "reverse the decline".
Saying he wanted no Australian to be "left wondering what the coalition stands for", Mr Dutton highlighted his outer-suburban, working-class upbringing and background as a small-business owner and police officer.
He vowed to "(restore) the dream" of home ownership for struggling Australians and promised a coalition government would not seek to cut funding for Medicare.
Linking the nation's housing crisis to migration, Mr Dutton promised to reduce government spending and accused Labor of "acting like an opposition while in government".
He painted Prime Minister Anthony Albanese as a career politician heading a weak government while the nation needed strength.
"Mr Albanese, who loves fighting Tories and who always plays the man and not the ball, has characterised this election for Australians as a “future war”," Mr Dutton said.
"For him, what matters most is the political victory, whereas I want our country to be victorious."
Nationals leader David Littleproud and new Victorian opposition leader Brad Battin were seated among more than 100 attendees, including federal deputy Liberal leader Sussan Ley and senators James Paterson, Michaelia Cash and Jane Hume.
It was Mr Dutton's first major event for the new year after the prime minister launched an early campaign blitz last week.
The coalition is seeking to defy almost 100 years of political history by unseating a first-term government at the election, which must be held by May 17.
Former MP Katie Allen is running for the Liberals in Chisholm. The party of that seat's winner has also won government since 2016.
Outside, protesters set up a giant orange blow-up fish with three eyes, in reference to the opposition's nuclear push.
The group of about 20 unionists and community members chanted for action on renewable energy as guests arrived at the event.
Griffith University associate professor Paul Williams said Mr Albanese's decision to campaign aggressively early in the new year was a likely indicator that Labor was worried it would lose seats.
“Labor is fearful that the damage is going to be substantial, so they've come out hoping to catch the LNP napping,” the political analyst said.
“Campaigning in January, full stop, is usually considered a moot point because people aren’t paying attention."
Mr Dutton holding the campaign event in Chisholm highlighted the coalition’s shift away from traditional strongholds like Queensland.
"The keys to The Lodge lie in three places - Perth, Sydney, and Melbourne," Prof Williams said.
He said the Albanese government had adopted a “big target” approach, focusing on achievements such as establishing a National Integrity Commission, wage increases for low-income workers and housing reforms.
However, cost-of-living issues are expected to dominate the federal campaign.
“It will be what we call a material election, meaning it’s going to be kitchen-table economics," Prof Williams said.
