In the shadow of grain silos next to a railway line, Anthony Albanese has set out a plan for critical minerals and freight networks he hopes will put him on track to victory through one state.
Campaigning at a grain mill in Perth's outskirts in the newly formed electorate of Bullwinkel, the prime minister was looking to tap into parochialism in Western Australia by pledging to bring the freight network back into public hands.
The mining state helped Mr Albanese get into The Lodge in 2022, and he's keen to lock down WA's support again.
"(Grain silos and the railway) are two symbols of how important a strong railway network is in our state," he told reporters in Perth on Thursday.
"WA is a driver of our national economy and our growth and our jobs, and that's why I've been such a regular visitor to this great state."
He was met by demonstrators outside the mill, protesting against the ban on live sheep exports, with Bullwinkel containing many farmers who relied on the trade.
Throughout the day, he was flanked by WA Premier Roger Cook, who the prime minister described as his favourite state or territory leader during a question-and-answer session at a West Australian newspaper-run event.
While tensions could arise from a potential Perth-based rugby league team going up against Mr Albanese's beloved Rabbitohs, the prime minister said his friendship with the premier was strong.
"I don't think we need diplomacy between us two, we've been mates for 40-odd years," he said.
Mr Albanese also used the rapid-fire questions at the Leadership Matters event to reveal he wouldn't mind being stranded on a desert island with Opposition Leader Peter Dutton, when faced with the same option of being stuck with shadow treasurer Angus Taylor.
"I've had personal one-on-one conversations with him, we can talk ... in confidence. I don't really have a relationship with Angus," Mr Albanese said.
When Mr Dutton was asked earlier in the campaign whether he would prefer to be stranded with the prime minister or Treasurer Jim Chalmers, he said he would rather swim.
The prime minister also described his fall off a stage in Cessnock on the campaign trail as "funny" and the worst part of the campaign.
Mr Albanese also used a speech at the event to unveil plans to spend $1.2 billion to set up a national stockpile of critical minerals.
The strategic reserve would generate money for Australia through the sale of minerals on global markets to allies while stockpiles of the minerals would be set aside from commercial projects through contracts.
Mr Albanese said the reserve of 31 minerals would be a critical asset to advance national interest amid global uncertainty.
The coalition has ruled out a strategic reserve but will classify a slate of minerals as critical, questioning why Labor hadn't already included several on the list.
