Four former PMs among the who’s who at federal election campaign launches

Both Labor and the Coalition rolled out some of their most recognised former prime ministers as they launched their respective election campaigns. See who made an appearance.

Hundreds of years of political experience – highlighted by four former Prime Ministers – punctuated a who’s who of politicians sitting front and centre at the Sunday launches of Labor and the Liberal’s campaigns.

As he has done since retirement, former Prime Minister and Liberal Party luminary John Howard was a centrepiece at Peter Dutton’s western Sydney campaign kick-off, where he was also joined by other Liberals who have held the country’s top job – Tony Abbott and Scott Morrison.

Former Prime Ministers Tony Abbott and Scott Morrison at the Liberal Party campaign launch in western Sydney. Picture: Richard Dobson / NewsWire

Opposition leader Peter Dutton shaking hands with former Prime Minister John Howard as he arrives at the Liberal Party campaign launch. Picture: Richard Dobson / NewsWire

A smattering of front and back benchers filled out the front two rows of the event, with Nationals leader David Littleproud and wife Sarah sitting next to Howard and his wife Janette.

NSW Liberal leader Mark Speakman sat in the second row, with Coalition campaign spokesman James Paterson and NSW Senators Dave Sharma and Maria Kovacic also filling out the row.

A notably larger crowd at Labor’s Perth event was packed out with current party frontbenchers.

Politicians from yesteryear included former Prime Minister Julia Gillard, in a rare public appearance, as well as current Labor Party president and former treasurer Wayne Swan.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese at the Labor campaign launch in Perth with Penny Wong and former Prime Minister Julia Gillard. Picture: Jason Edwards / NewsWire

There was hardly a Minister left on the east coast as they flocked to the west of the country.

Housing Minister Clare O’Neil, Trade Minister Don Farrell, Education Minister Jason Clare, Infrastructure Minister Catherine King, Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke, and Foreign Minister Penny Wong were among the throng who travelled to Perth.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese with Wayne Swan at the ALP campaign launch in Perth. Picture: Jason Edwards / NewsWire

Finance Minister Katy Gallagher, Treasurer Jim Chalmers, Health Minister Mark Butler, Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek and Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles rounded out a cabinet-heavy crowd clapping on the Prime Minister.

A cheering West Australian Premier Roger Cook – who has become a centrepiece of Albanese’s campaigning in the west – also watched on.

Originally published as Four former PMs among the who’s who at federal election campaign launches