Prime Minister Scott Morrison has released a minute-long social media advertisement, acknowledging "things are tough", and providing the clearest sign yet the election will be called on Sunday.
Despite a commanding lead in most opinion polls, Opposition Leader Anthony Albanese has declared himself the "underdog" entering the election race.
Mr Morrison laid low on Saturday, doing no media appearances, offering only the new advertisement that touched on the looming campaign.
In an attempt to frame the campaign on his terms, Mr Morrison acknowledged "setbacks" over recent years, but suggested voters to stick with what they know.
"You always have setbacks. You always have imperfect information …" he said.
"There's drought, there's floods, there's fire, there's pandemic, there is now war.
"We're dealing with a world that has never been more unstable since the time of the Second World War."
The Prime Minister's handling of the bushfires, floods and pandemic have underpinned numerous political attacks from Labor over recent years.
Mr Morrison spent the day in Sydney, and would have to travel back to Canberra tomorrow to visit the Governor-General and call the election.
Albanese claims 'underdog' status
Fronting the media in his Sydney electorate, Mr Albanese again called on the Prime Minister to call the election.
And while Labor is well in front in most public opinion polls, he claimed that history would suggest the opposition be given underdog status going into the campaign.
"Labor has only won government three times from opposition since the Second World War," he said.
"So, it's a mountain that Labor has to climb … the government goes into this election as favourites.
"Governments win and get re-elected much more often than governments change hands in this country."
Mr Albanese also rejected Coalition attempts to label him a "blank page" and suggesting the opposition lacked detailed policies.
He pointed to Labor's industry, energy, childcare and aged care policies, among others.
"You have seen a policy announcement yesterday, one the day before, one the day before that, and you will see more in the lead-up to polling day," he said.
Labor released a campaign advertisement of its own, introducing Mr Albanese. It mentioned his economics degree and time served as infrastructure minister in the former Rudd and Gillard governments.
