Scott Morrison has come bearing flowers and a vision for "the promise of Australia" as he seeks re-election this week. The prime minister spruiked a coalition campaign launch free from "party hoopla" and delivered on his commitment in spades. The typical trimmings were stripped bare in Melbourne on Sunday as Mr Morrison focused on selling his softer, human side directly to voters. Cabinet ministers were on hand to mingle with members of the blue shirt brigade, but past Liberal leaders were nowhere to be seen. Malcolm Turnbull, Tony Abbott and John Howard were all noticeable absentees. The low-key affair was less of a traditional campaign launch than it was the Scott Morrison Show. And the prime minister focused primarily on his personal life during his unusual Mothers' Day family outing. He and wife Jenny talked about how they met, his "terribly unromantic" marriage proposal, and their 14-year struggle to fall pregnant. Their two young daughters spoke in a video of his penchant for cooking bolognese and boiled eggs. Mr Morrison choked back tears talking about his disabled brother-in-law. The family took to the convention centre stage alongside the prime minister's mother Marion. Mr Morrison presented his mum and wife with big bunches of flowers before wrapping his arms around each of his daughters. His election pitch was more of a values statement, countering accusations his campaign has lacked vision. "It is my vision for this country, as your prime minister, to keep the promise of Australia to all Australians," he told the party faithful. Looking to the future, the prime minister shared lessons from his past. "Life's about what you contribute not what you accumulate," Mr Morrison said. "It's about serving others, because in life, it's people that matter. "My family story is not uncommon. Australians quietly going about their lives with simple, decent, honest aspirations." Two of his ministers made brief contributions, with Treasurer Josh Frydenberg cracking jokes and Nationals Leader Michael McCormack giving a stump speech. Junior minister Sarah Henderson also got laughs for stealing one of his favourite gags. "Ladies and gentlemen, how good is Scott Morrison?" But the prime minister soaked up most of the spotlight as he tries to shape the election into a presidential-style race between himself and Bill Shorten. Mr Morrison announced plans for a new loan deposit scheme to help first home buyers into the market. There was also extra money for new parents to undergo peri-natal depression checks. "This is a cause close to our family, as it has hit close to home. Too many parents suffer in silence," he said. His speech started off on a positive note, before switching gears to attack Labor's "tax and spend" agenda. "I'm not getting into a spend-a-thon with Labor," he declared. Dozens of anti-Adani protesters gathered outside, clanging metal drums and chanting their opposition to the central Queensland coal mine. Inside the auditorium, Mr Morrison also committed $4 billion towards the scrapped East-West Link road project, as the coalition tries to sandbag a handful of Victorian seats. Labor is growing increasingly confident of winning five key Victorian contests, including in the blue-ribbon seat of Higgins, held by retiring minister for women Kelly O'Dwyer. The prime minister's pitch wrapped up the same way it began, surrounded on stage by the four main women in his life. Australian Associated Press
Scott Morrison and his leadership team have launched the coalition's election campaign.
Scott Morrison has come bearing flowers and a vision for "the promise of Australia" as he seeks re-election this week.
The prime minister spruiked a coalition campaign launch free from "party hoopla" and delivered on his commitment in spades.
The typical trimmings were stripped bare in Melbourne on Sunday as Mr Morrison focused on selling his softer, human side directly to voters.
Cabinet ministers were on hand to mingle with members of the blue shirt brigade, but past Liberal leaders were nowhere to be seen.
Malcolm Turnbull, Tony Abbott and John Howard were all noticeable absentees.
The low-key affair was less of a traditional campaign launch than it was the Scott Morrison Show.
And the prime minister focused primarily on his personal life during his unusual Mothers' Day family outing.
He and wife Jenny talked about how they met, his "terribly unromantic" marriage proposal, and their 14-year struggle to fall pregnant.
Their two young daughters spoke in a video of his penchant for cooking bolognese and boiled eggs.
Mr Morrison choked back tears talking about his disabled brother-in-law.
The family took to the convention centre stage alongside the prime minister's mother Marion.
Mr Morrison presented his mum and wife with big bunches of flowers before wrapping his arms around each of his daughters.
His election pitch was more of a values statement, countering accusations his campaign has lacked vision.
"It is my vision for this country, as your prime minister, to keep the promise of Australia to all Australians," he told the party faithful.
Looking to the future, the prime minister shared lessons from his past.
"Life's about what you contribute not what you accumulate," Mr Morrison said.
"It's about serving others, because in life, it's people that matter.
"My family story is not uncommon. Australians quietly going about their lives with simple, decent, honest aspirations."
Two of his ministers made brief contributions, with Treasurer Josh Frydenberg cracking jokes and Nationals Leader Michael McCormack giving a stump speech.
Junior minister Sarah Henderson also got laughs for stealing one of his favourite gags.
"Ladies and gentlemen, how good is Scott Morrison?"
But the prime minister soaked up most of the spotlight as he tries to shape the election into a presidential-style race between himself and Bill Shorten.
Mr Morrison announced plans for a new loan deposit scheme to help first home buyers into the market.
There was also extra money for new parents to undergo peri-natal depression checks.
"This is a cause close to our family, as it has hit close to home. Too many parents suffer in silence," he said.
His speech started off on a positive note, before switching gears to attack Labor's "tax and spend" agenda.
"I'm not getting into a spend-a-thon with Labor," he declared.
Dozens of anti-Adani protesters gathered outside, clanging metal drums and chanting their opposition to the central Queensland coal mine.
Inside the auditorium, Mr Morrison also committed $4 billion towards the scrapped East-West Link road project, as the coalition tries to sandbag a handful of Victorian seats.
Labor is growing increasingly confident of winning five key Victorian contests, including in the blue-ribbon seat of Higgins, held by retiring minister for women Kelly O'Dwyer.
The prime minister's pitch wrapped up the same way it began, surrounded on stage by the four main women in his life.
