Duelling messages as major parties enter election mode

PRIME MINISTER ANTHONY ALBANESE AND OPPOSITION LEADER PETER DUTTON SHARPEN POLITICAL MATRAS FOR DE FACTO POLL CAMPAIGNS

LABOR VOWS TO "BUILD AUSTRALIA'S FUTURE"

* Mr Albanese is going into the election with a forward-facing message about how his party will "build Australia's future"

* Labor has used its first term to lay foundations, the prime minister has said, and will use coming years to pave the way for growth

* The government is spruiking its housing achievements and efforts to rebuild Australia's trade relationships with China

* The prime minister has touted millions of dollars in more in infrastructure commitments for homes and community projects, while highlighting cost-of-living measures such as energy bill relief, cheaper childcare and changes to bulk-billing which should make it cheaper for people to see a general practitioner

COALITION PLEDGES TO GET AUSTRALIA "BACK ON TRACK"

* Leaning on nostalgia and discontent for incumbent governments, Mr Dutton says the coalition will get Australia "back on track"

* The opposition leader has placed a heavy emphasis on the pre-pandemic era and asked Australians whether they were better off three years ago, compared to 2025

* The coalition has used the rising cost of living to lash the government, claiming its handling of the economy and immigration has contributed to inflation

* Mr Dutton is making announcements on crime and national security funding to paint himself as a strong leader

* The coalition's slogan replicates the New Zealand National Party's election-winning rhetoric and has been likened to Donald Trump's "make America great again"