Opposition Leader Bill Shorten has promised Australian families a "fair go" as the federal election campaign officially begins.
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In a 30-second video published while the prime minister went through the formalities of triggering a mid-May national poll, Mr Shorten focused heavily on health.
He pledged to upgrade hospital emergency departments, help cancer patients meet treatment costs and invest in MRI machines and scans.
Mr Shorten also vowed to raise wages, boost school funding, invest in renewable energy and tackle climate change.
He committed to raising the necessary funds by "closing tax loopholes" and making the banks and multinationals pay their fair share.
"Labor: a fair go for Australia," Mr Shorten said.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison visited the governor-general on Thursday morning, requesting that federal parliament be dissolved so that voters can head to the polls.
Historically, this visit typically takes place over the weekend.
His mid-week request has forced the cancellation of two days worth of Senate estimates hearings, where opposition parties grill department officials about government spending.
Labor environment spokesman Tony Burke is not impressed.
"One of the consequences of calling an election on a Thursday instead of Sunday is to stop Senate estimates hearings," Mr Burke tweeted.
"In my portfolio alone this shuts down questions to the CSIRO about the Adani approval, and Murray Darling hearings scheduled for Friday now won't happen."
Australian Associated Press