Malcolm Turnbull's day started with TV cameras camped outside his Sydney home and will end on a campaign plane, off to face the nation's scrutiny.
The prime minister was confident as he faced reporters in Canberra on Sunday after visiting the governor-general to ask for a July 2 double dissolution election.
He started on a non-political note, wishing Australia a happy Mother's Day.
"We love you all so much. Your love has made us what we are," he said, smiling broadly.
Then it was down to the nitty gritty of his pitch to voters.
In a 15-minute monologue Mr Turnbull touched on innovation, defence, youth jobs, trade, tax cuts for middle incomes and companies, negative gearing, investment, and border protection.
"These are times for confidence, for optimism, for a clear plan, and we will be seeking a mandate from the Australian people on July 2," he said.
"There are uncertainties, there are challenges. But with a clear vision, a clear plan, and confidence in Australia and its people our greatest days surely are ahead of us."
The "exciting times" theme is one Mr Turnbull has expounded in the seven months since he took the prime ministership.
Another is "jobs and growth" - a phrase he repeated a variation of 13 times on Sunday.
The choice on offer could not be clearer, Mr Turnbull said.
"Everything Labor is doing is absolutely calculated to stop our economic progress in its tracks."
The justification for dissolving both houses of parliament is re-establishing the building industry watchdog and a registered organisations commission, as set out by Mr Turnbull and Attorney-General George Brandis in letters to the governor-general.
Mr Turnbull took nine minutes to mention this "vital economic reform".
Earlier he headed to a Mother's Day function at a Sydney playground, flanked by wife Lucy, daughter Daisy and scene-stealing grandson Jack, who wore a Spiderman helmet.
He then flew to Canberra for a widely televised trip to visit Governor-General Peter Cosgrove in Yarralumla.
Mr Turnbull posted a photo of himself and Sir Peter in a lounge room on social media.
It appears a small peaceful respite at the start of a mammoth eight-week campaign during which his every move will be recorded and analysed.
