History has eyes on Peter Dutton, as the opposition leader invokes old Liberal slogans and bangs the drum on his own.
Three of the four most recent coalition prime ministers watched as Mr Dutton took to the podium at the Liberal Party's official campaign launch on Sunday.
Although Malcolm Turnbull was conspicuously absent, Tony Abbott, Scott Morrison and John Howard were seated in pole position and treated like rock stars, with Liberal volunteers almost tripping over themselves for selfies and hand shakes.
But the biggest cheers were saved for Mr Dutton as he vowed to "get Australia back on track" if he wins the May 3 election.
"Australians can't afford three more years like the last three - this election is about your future," he told the party faithful.
"It's about who Australians can trust to manage the economy and to keep our country safe ... it's about who Australians know has the plan to set our country on a course to be stronger, to be safer," he said.
Throughout his address, Mr Dutton repeatedly paid homage to his predecessors.
He thanked Mr Abbott for his work on the defence budget, acknowledged Mr Howard for his legacy and giving Mr Dutton his start as a minister, and thanked Mr Morrison for his work during the COVID-19 pandemic.
"There is so much we can be proud of as a Liberal family, as a coalition family," Mr Dutton said.
He also directly invoked past policies as inspiration for his vision.
"There are three former prime ministers in this country who I've learnt a lot from in stopping the boats," he said, referring to Mr Abbott's 2013 pledge.
"We will stop them."
Held at the Liverpool Catholic Club in the Western Sydney seat of Werriwa, the launch placed a clear emphasis on families in Australia's outer suburban mortgage belts.
This demographic remains a key target for the Liberal Party and would most benefit from the coalition's plans to reduce fuel prices and allow first homebuyers to deduct interest payments against their taxable income.
"There are common struggles across the country: Australians who are working hard but just can't get ahead, Australians who are really hurting from soaring bills and rent and mortgage stress," he said.
"It doesn't have to be like this, and there is a clear election choice in front of you."
In between speeches by top coalition figures, including Nationals leader David Littleproud and Deputy Opposition Leader Sussan Ley, the audience was shown a video designed to tug on heart strings.
Mr Dutton reacted to supportive messages from Mr Howard and his family under the chime of soft piano music.
The opposition leader was also keen to show a more personal side of him, bringing his family on stage for a group embrace.
