The federal election looms as a cost-of-living showdown but both major parties are yet to splash wads of cash in a bid to woo voters.
With Australians due to cast their votes before May 17, Anthony Albanese has kicked off the year by courting voters in marginal electorates across multiple states.
Their decision may boil down to the question of whether they feel better off than when Labor came to power in May 2022.
Shadow treasurer Angus Taylor has claimed the average Australian is $8000 worse off than 18 months ago.
But the prime minister pointed out the opposition did not support its $300 energy bill rebate for households and was yet to unveil a cost-of-living measure.
"Not one," he told reporters at the Midland urgent care clinic in Perth, his 27th visit to Western Australia as prime minister.
After journeying through Queensland and the Northern Territory, Mr Albanese on Thursday announced $200 million for housing and community infrastructure for WA and three extra ports to import and export goods in regional parts of the state.
WA was crucial to Labor's 2022 election win and the party will attempt to maintain its grasp and grow support in a handful of knife-edge electorates.
Politicians have usually returned to work after the January 26 public holiday, so the prime minister's whirlwind tour marks an unusually early start to the political calendar.
The opposition leader has been fairly quiet since the start of 2025, but Nine papers suggest Peter Dutton will kick off his unofficial campaign on Sunday.
The prime minister was remaining tight-lipped on when he would call the election.
"I can confirm that I am not announcing the election date here today," he said.
The rising cost of living remains a chief concern for many Australians and, while the government will do what it can, Treasurer Jim Chalmers says it must be responsible.
"People shouldn't expect this election to be a big free-for-all of public money or a huge cash splash," he said on Thursday.
"We've got to continue to manage the budget responsibly but if we can do a little bit more to help people with these cost-of-living pressures, of course we'll consider that."
Australians are increasingly directing their discontent at the major parties, with polling predicting neither Labor nor the coalition can form a majority government.
This could offer an opportunity for minor parties and independents to exert their influence during the next term.
"This election is so vital for the future of Australia and the role that we play in the world," Greens senator Sarah Hanson-Young told the ABC.
"Whether it's Anthony Albanese or Peter Dutton, we will hold them to account and give insurance to the Australian people that dangerous policies won't pass."
Mr Albanese has already spruiked millions in spending for local community facilities and infrastructure in north Queensland, where Labor is eyeing the seat of Leichhardt held by retiring Liberal MP Warren Entsch.
Mr Albanese also used a visit an NT cattle station on Wednesday to highlight the economic benefits of China ending its suspension of Australian beef exports.
