Chloe Shorten and Jenny Morrison will be in the limelight this federal election

Scott Morrison and Bill Shorten might tell you that this election is about voting for them, but it’s the women in their lives who are expected to be put front and centre of this campaign.

• Federal election 2019: NSW must watch battles
• PM: Bill Shorten isn’t going to get away from scrutiny

ONE wife confessed to the royals she was nervous at major events, the other has embraced her role as a political spouse in the public eye, but both very different women will be crucial on the federal campaign trail.

Jenny Morrison would be the first to admit she’s not comfortable in the limelight. Australia’s First Lady rarely gives interviews and was once calmed by the Duchess of Sussex Meghan Markle during a formal meeting after admitting “this is all new to me”.

Meanwhile Labor leader Bill Shorten will be looking to boost his low popularity rating using the easy going public persona of his wife Chloe, who was the star of his 2016 campaign.

He’s already highlighted her importance in his first tweet of the election.

Mr Shorten’s shared a professional picture with his wife Chloe and said having his “best friend” by his side was an “essential” on the campaign trail.

The Prime Minister Scott Morrison with his wife Jennifer arrive at the mid-winter ball at Parliament House in Canberra. Picture: Gary Ramage

The wives of Australia’s political leaders will play crucial roles in the upcoming federal election, used to soften candidates’ image and provide much-needed moral support.

Ms Morrison and Ms Shorten are expected to be present for all major election events, but analysts say it’s too early to know how frequently both women will be on the campaign trail.

Ms Shorten has already been highly visible in the lead up to the official campaign — this week she accompanied her husband to the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital after Labor announced a major funding commitment for cancer patients.

Ms Shorten, who is the daughter of former Australian Governor General Quentin Bryce, has always appeared at ease when campaigning with Mr Shorten.

Bill Shorten referred to his wife Chloe as his "best friend" in a tweet about campaign essentials.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison’s wife Jenny has had relatively limited appearances since her husband became leader.

But Australia’s First Lady has proven her hosting skills, famously baking a pavlova for Prince Harry and his wife Meghan Markle during the Royal Tour in 2018.

Ms Morrison confessed to the Duchess of Sussex she was very new to formal events, but has since eased herself into the role, accompanying the Prime Minister on overseas visits and other major occasions.

Ms Morrison has also made a point of taking her two daughters to school every day so she may not want to be on the campaign trail full time.

A Twitter post by Australian Prime Minister, Scott Morrison.

Monash University associate professor and Australian political history expert Paul Strangio said the wives of leaders have long played a crucial role in elections.

“On the campaign trail spouses and family humanise the candidates,” he said.

“Having a partner travel can also be important for the emotional wellbeing of the candidate because it’s a very gruelling few weeks and there’s an awful lot of pressure on them.”

Mr Strangio said different partners were more comfortable in the campaign limelight than others.

“We saw that with Lucy Turnbull and Chloe Shorten in 2016,” he said.

“But with Tony Abbott in 2013 it was much more likely his daughters you saw out with him than his wife Margie.”

Opposition leader Bill Shorten kisses his wife Chloe Shorten at the 2018 Victorian Labor State Conference. Picture: AAP Image/Tracey Nearmy

Mr Strangio said he expected Ms Shorten to again have a prominent position in her husband’s campaign.

“From what we know of we’re likely to see a lot of Chloe Shorten,” he said.

“I’m less sure with Jenny Morrison … so far she doesn’t seem to have been as prominent but in a campaign setting that could change.”

Mr Strangio said in the past political leaders have also used their partners as “sounding boards” for policy ideas.

“John Howard would often play tribute to his wife Janet for having a very shrewd political mind,” he said.

“He would rely on her for that.”