Federal Labor leader Bill Shorten has made a nod to the achievements of former prime ministers Paul Keating, Kevin Rudd and Julia Gillard in his pitch to party faithful.
In his address to Labor's campaign launch, Mr Shorten praised Mr Rudd's apology to the Stolen Generations in 2007 and Ms Gillard's call for a royal commission into institutional sexual abuse.
And he acknowledged the impact Mr Keating had had on Australia's economic landscape.
"A few months ago Peter Dutton said that "the big problem with Chris Bowen and with Labor is that we want to deliver Paul Keating's unfinished business," Mr Shorten said.
"Now, he meant it as an insult. We cannot imagine a greater compliment in Labor!"
Bob Hawke, who could not attend because of ill health, was also acknowledged.
"Bob, we love you and in the next 13 days, we are going to do this for you," Mr Shorten said, referring to the May 18 election.
Australians were better off because of their humility to listen, courage to act and decent, he said.
