Tony Abbott concedes the Liberals are likely to lose some traction in the Canning by-election next month, but remains confident the party will retain the West Australian seat.
Labor is putting up a "local champion" lawyer for the by-election, yet the prime minister believes Afghanistan war veteran Andrew Hastie can keep the seat in government hands, despite crushing recent polls.
The leaders of both major parties were in Perth on Friday to kick off their campaigns for the September 19 by-election, triggered by the death of popular Liberal MP Don Randall who had held the seat for 15 years.
Mr Randall took the seat with an 11.8 per cent margin at the 2013 election, but Mr Abbott knows that gap will narrow.
"I'm confident but not complacent or cocky," he told reporters.
"I'm not saying for a moment that we're going to hold Don's margin, but nevertheless, we've got a terrific candidate."
Meanwhile, Labor's contender Matt Keogh was at his family home in Kelmscott alongside member for Perth Alannah MacTiernan and party leader Bill Shorten, who described him as a "great local champion".
Mr Keogh, who grew up in Armadale and recently stepped down as president of the Law Society of WA, has family who work in health and education.
"We really feel and understand the cuts that are being made by Tony Abbott's government to health and education, and that's one of the things that really inspired me into wanting to stick my hand up for my local community," he said.
Mr Shorten said the by-election was a chance to send a message to the federal government.
"This by-election should not be about Mr Abbott's job, it should be about a plan for the jobs of West Australians," he said.
Clive Palmer was also in Perth to announce businessman Vimal Sharma as the candidate for the Palmer United Party.
Mr Sharma, who unsuccessfully contested the seat of Cowan in the 2013 federal election, said he would stand up to the federal government on WA's share of GST revenue.
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