Scott Morrison has pitched the upcoming federal election as a battle between the politics of aspiration and envy.
Delivering the Sir Robert Menzies Lecture in Melbourne on Tuesday, which marked 75 years of the Liberal Party and 70 years since Menzies unseated the federal Labor government, the prime minister marked out what he saw as the key differences between the major parties.
He also took a swipe at businessman Clive Palmer, who has now swapped the name Palmer United Party for the 'United Australia Party' - the predecessor of the Liberals led by Menzies.
"Menzies did not name a party after himself - that's for populists," Mr Morrison said.
"Instead he reached out and based a party on enduring truths."
He said Labor had a plan for $200 billion worth of "envy taxes".
"There will be a clear choice at this election: between aspiration and envy," he said.
"A stronger economy with lower taxes under my government or a weaker one with higher taxes under Bill Shorten and Labor; a safer Australia under the coalition or a nation with weak borders under Bill Shorten and Labor.
"A united people or a Labor Party under Bill Shorten that thrives on conflict in our community, setting Australians against Australians."
He said over the summer holidays he had met with "quiet Australians" over flathead and chips at The Shoalhaven Heads Hotel, on the NSW south coast.
These were people who did not have time for "arm bands and trolling people on Twitter", but rather wanted secure jobs, their incomes to keep up with the cost of living, to be treated fairly and for politicians to keep spending under control.
"They will have their challenges, but they maintain a refreshing and positive outlook on life thankful that whatever they are facing they know they are ahead because they are facing it as an Australian in Australia," he said.
