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Opposition leader Anthony Albanese has made his pitch to become the Prime Minister of Australia, pledging to restore faith in the country's political system.

Mr Albanese made his case in the first speech since Prime Minister Scott Morrison called the federal election to take place on May 21.

In a wide-ranging speech the leader of the Opposition pledged to provide cheaper childcare, greater investment in renewable energies and the establishment of an anti-corruption commission.

READ MORE: Scott Morrison officially reveals federal election date

READ MORE: 'He is trying to shift the focus': 9News political editor Chris Uhlmann breaks down Scott Morrison's election pitch

"I won't go missing when the going gets tough. I will accept the responsibility that comes with high office. I will lead a government that repays and rewards your hard work," Mr Albanese said.

"A government that reflects the decency and compassion and courage of the Australian people.

"I am humbled to put myself forward as Prime Minister of this great nation."

READ MORE: Your guide to the key seats that could decide the Election

The Labor leader touched on how his childhood shaped his perception of Australia and provided him with experience of how many voters live.

"I grew up not far from here in Sydney and public housing, the son of a single mum. I learned the value of a dollar, I learned the importance of resilience," he said.

"But I also learned about the strength of community and the power of government to make a difference to people's lives.

"That experience of overcoming adversity and filling my mother's dreams for building a better life that she enjoyed, it took me into politics and it is what drives me today."

READ MORE: How to vote in this year's election

READ MORE: How COVID-19 could impact the election

In his speech today, Prime Minister Scott Morrison asked voters to choose between what he described as an experienced incumbent government or an untried Labor cabinet.

In response to that, Mr Albanese said if elected his current cabinet is "the most experienced incoming Labor government in history".

"If you look at some of the quite frankly absurd attacks that have gone on from Mr Morrison, they just don't stack up," Mr Albanese said.

"One of those is about my experience. My experience is I've been Acting Prime Minister, I've been Deputy Prime Minister, I chaired the Parliamentary business committee for six years.

"So every piece of legislation that went through under the Rudd and Gillard governments I presided over."

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Australians will head to the polls on May 21, with Prime Minister Scott Morrison telling voters "this election is about you".

Mr Morrison flew to Canberra this morning, where he made the journey to Government House to request Governor-General David Hurley dissolve parliament to trigger the election.

He then made the short trip to Parliament House to address the media and make his first official pitch to voters.

ANALYSIS: Why the PM is shifting the focus to his team

Mr Morrison said he is aware that "people are tired of politics" but urged Australians to take the election and their democratic rights seriously.

"This election and this campaign is incredibly important," Mr Morrison said.

"Because there is so much at stake for Australia and our future.

"This election is about you. No-one else.

"It is about our country and it is about its future.

"And above all, this election, as all elections are, this election is a choice.

"It is a choice between a strong economy and a Labor Opposition that would weaken it."

READ MORE: Your guide to the key seats that could decide the election

READ MORE: How to vote in this year's election

Mr Morrison has angled the Coalition's re-election bid on fiscal management, on the back of a big-spending Budget heavy on cash handouts.

He used his first speech after setting the election date to compare the incumbents as proven performers against the "risk" of voting for the opposition.

"It is a choice between a government you know, and a Labor opposition that you don't," Mr Morrison said.

"Our government is not perfect.

"We have never claimed to be, but we are upfront.

"And you may see some flaws but you can also see what we have achieved for Australia in incredibly difficult times."

Campaign to last 41 days

The May 21 polling day means a 41-day campaign – but that period does include the Easter holidays and Anzac Day.

The Prime Minister goes into the election campaign as the underdog, with polling showing Labor in a strong lead.

Unlike the last federal election, Labor's lead in the polls is outside the margin of error.

Bookmaker TAB is offering $1.40 for the ALP to win the election, with the Coalition claiming a fourth term in government paying $3.

The election ending in a hung parliament is currently paying $2.80.

The declaration of an election date comes after months of shadow campaigning.

READ MORE: How COVID-19 could impact the election

DOWNLOAD: Charles Croucher's On The Trail podcast

Albanese visits Easter Show in Sydney

While the theatre of Australia's electoral process unfolds in Canberra, Opposition Leader Anthony Albanese chose to visit the Royal Easter Show in Sydney.

The Labor leader has so far run a small target campaign, with a $2.5 billion aged care plan the centrepiece of his budget reply.

https://twitter.com/AlboMP/status/1512961541741887489

Albanese later made his pitch to become the Prime Minister, pledging to restore faith in the country's political system.

In a wide-ranging speech the leader of the Opposition pledged to provide cheaper childcare, greater investment in renewable energies and the establishment of an anti-corruption commission.

The Prime Minister later started his campaign in Nowra, NSW, where the Labor-held, Liberal-target of Gilmore has former state minister Andrew Constance as the Liberal candidate.

https://twitter.com/jekearsley/status/1513031253045702656

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Prime Minister Scott Morrison will attempt to shift the focus away from himself and onto his team during the 2022 federal election campaign, 9News political editor Chris Uhlmann says.

In his first campaign speech immediately after calling the election for May 21, Mr Morrison posed the government as proven economic performers against an untried Labor opposition.

Uhlmann said a key strategy of Mr Morrison's campaign will be distancing himself from the numerous recent public attacks on his character.

READ MORE: Scott Morrison officially reveals federal election date

READ MORE: Your guide to the key seats that could decide the Election

"He tried to frame this debate (as) this election is not about me, it is about you. Don't forget the major attack lines against the government is that Scott Morrison can't be trusted," Uhlmann said.

''He is now saying this election is all about you.

"So that is one of the main points to take away from this, he is trying to shift the focus and he is trying to move it on to his team."

READ MORE: How to vote in this year's election

READ MORE: How COVID-19 could impact the election

A key shift in this year's election campaign would be Mr Morrison distancing himself from the presidential-style campaign of the individual that he won on in 2019.

"He mentioned his team several times. Remember last time the presidential campaign was all about him," Uhlmann said.

"This time he is talking about a team, a team with a plan and a record which he tried to reclaim for the government saying, look, on any measure, what we did in the pandemic actually the recovery is coming out reasonably well.

"It is a contrast between us, who you know, warts and all, and a Labor Party that you do not know."

READ MORE: How redistribution will impact the Federal Election

READ MORE: How is the Australian Government elected

Uhlmann said both leaders will need to address the prospect of greater geopolitical tension given Australia's proximity to China.

"We are entering a new Cold War. We need to work out how we deal with a rising China that is going to test us and test any future Prime Minister," he said.

"So part of the pitch of the government is if you want to feel safe, if you want to feel secure, then Scott Morrison is someone who can deal with that, or you can risk Anthony Albanese.

"This is the way the government wants to frame this, this is precisely the opposite of the way the Labor Party will try to frame it.

"They will say, tired, old, out of puff, now out of time, kick them out."

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