A decade after a mine collapse that put Bill Shorten in the national spotlight, the now-Labor leader has returned to northern Tasmania for an anniversary which coincides with the launch of his party's election campaign.
The 2006 Beaconsfield mine disaster captured the nation's attention and Mr Shorten will be hoping to revive some of the acclaim he generated back then as secretary of the Australian Workers Union.
"It was a story of defiant Aussie spirit, people working together, looking after their mates, and winning through," Mr Shorten said on Sunday of the underground emergency.
Miner Larry Knight was killed and co-workers Todd Russell and Brant Webb spent a fortnight trapped almost 1km below ground until their rescue which saw them walk free on May 9, 2006.
Mr Shorten's long-planned visit to the region came just an hour after Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull announced news of a July 2 double dissolution election, and the Labor leader copped criticism for politicising the event.
"It's entirely up to Mr Turnbull about when he calls the election. Mr Turnbull hasn't consulted me about when he calls it," Mr Shorten said in his defence.
"I was scheduled to come down here ... to catch up with the guys and have a beer."
And he did have a beer. Well, half a schooner.
Sitting at the bar of the Beauty Point Waterfront Hotel, north of Launceston, between Mr Russell and Mr Webb the prime ministerial hopeful sipped on a James Boag's draught and chatted with the men about footy and life.
If it weren't for all the camera crews, it could have been any three blokes sitting in a pub anywhere in Australia.
There was hand-shaking, back-patting and smiles between the trio, who appeared to have fostered some kind of bond out of the events of 10 years ago.
"I'm here because this is, for me, the real Australia," Mr Shorten said.
"What I saw in those ... days has stayed with me every day of my life."
A community gathering will be held on Monday at Beaconsfield to mark the anniversary.
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