Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull will visit the governor-general later on Sunday to launch the nation on a protracted election campaign culminating with a July 2 poll.
Mr Turnbull will ask Sir Peter Cosgrove to dissolve both houses of parliament, throwing open all 150 House of Representatives seats and 76 Senate places for election.
Already politicians have taken to the hustings.
Treasurer Scott Morrison says the government has an economic plan to ensure the economy can transition from the mining investment phase of the boom through to a more diversified economy.
Opposition Leader Bill Shorten has declared the election will be fought on the issue of education.
Greens leader Richard Di Natale says his party has never been in better shape and is hoping to pick up a swag of lower house seats.
First poll off the mark post-budget was Seven-Reach Tel, which put the two-party result at 50-50.
It found 33 per cent of voters believed they would be worse off from the budget, 59 per cent said "about the same" and only seven per cent thought they'd be better off.
Labor needs a national swing of 4.3 per cent to pick up 21 seats to unseat the government after only one term.
The first post-budget Galaxy poll also put the coalition and Labor neck and neck at 50-50, but the coalition leading on primary votes 42 to 36 per cent.
The July 2 poll will be the first double dissolution election since 1987. There have only been six double dissolution elections since Federation.
Should Malcolm Turnbull be re-elected he will likely make good on his threat to hold a joint sitting of parliament to pass controversial legislation to reinstate the building unions watchdog.
A joint sitting of parliament - which would involve all 150 MPs and 76 senators - has happened just once before.
In 1974 the re-elected Labor government of Gough Whitlam used its combined majority in the House of Representatives and Senate to overcome coalition intransigence in the Senate to give Australia Medicare.
Election not about personalities
Opposition Leader Bill Shorten says the federal election is about policies not personalities.
Mr Shorten told the Seven Network it's not about Malcolm Turnbull or himself, it's about the people of Australia.
Mr Shorten says Australians will be looking for positive plans for jobs, for Medicare and education, a fairer taxation system, housing affordability for first homebuyers and real action on climate change.
Mr Turnbull will ask Sir Peter Cosgrove to dissolve both houses of parliament, throwing open all 150 House of Representatives seats and 76 Senate places for election.
Treasurer Scott Morrison insists his government's national economic plan is what Australia needs most.
Mr Morrison has told ABC TV Australia needs a government that knows how to stop the boats, and to ensure they stay stopped.
Opposition Leader Bill Shorten says the federal election is about policies not personalities.
Mr Shorten says Australians will be looking for positive plans for jobs, for Medicare and education, a fairer taxation system, housing affordability for first homebuyers and real action on climate change.
The first post-budget Galaxy poll, commissioned by The Sunday Telegraph, shows the coalition and Labor heading into the election locked at 50-50 on a two-party preferred basis.
Share
