By Tess Ikonomou, Rachael Ward and Savannah Meacham

Politicians are ensuring Western Australia is in the election campaign spotlight as they try to woo voters with ferry rides and celebrity appearances.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese brought out the big guns with partner Jodie Haydon joining the campaign trail in Perth on Saturday.

The pair hoped for a day of smooth sailing after hopping aboard a ferry called Tricia, named after the beloved elephant that died aged 65 at Perth Zoo several years ago, for a trip along the Swan River to the Labor-held seat of Perth.

“Where you go around Perth at the moment, chances are you’ll be in a Labor-held electorate,” he told reporters.

“And that’s because we understand that Australia isn’t just Kirribilli House, it isn’t just the east coast, isn’t just engaging in Canberra.”

Labor unveiled a $60 million promise to expand the ferry network in WA if it wins the election.

Mr Albanese also pledged to deliver a raft of targeted support to the state including urgent care clinics, protecting the share of the GST and backing the passenger rail line Metronet.

The prime minister defended himself against accusations he was growing cocky as the second week of the campaign comes to an end, telling reporters he takes “nothing for granted”.

“The fact that we have gone through the first couple of weeks of the campaign without changing our key policies every day is a contrast which is there,” he said.

Opposition Leader Peter Dutton started his day in Perth with a meeting with star boxer Danny Green and Stop the Coward Punch chair Justin Manolikos in the marginal electorate of Swan.

Mr Dutton pledged $1.5 million to support the anti-violence campaign, framing it as part of a promise “keep Australians safe”.

He brushed off speculation he could lose his own ultra-marginal seat of Dickson in Queensland off the back of new polling data, saying he has previously been targeted by progressive activist group Get Up.

“It’s a fundraising opportunity, like it’s a scam,” Mr Dutton told Nine.

“I’ve held my seat, it’s a marginal seat I’ve never taken for granted.”

Mr Dutton then attended the WA seat of Tangney where he was greeted by cheering, clapping and in-awe supporters during a rally.

Mr Albanese will formally launch Labor’s campaign in Perth on Sunday, the same day Mr Dutton is expected in Sydney for the Liberals’ launch.

WA was key in delivering Mr Albanese his 2022 election victory, with the location of Labor’s launch showcasing its importance to the party’s re-election hopes.

The major parties are getting in early to try to cement their pitches to voters before a slew of public holidays, aiming to sway Australians before pre-poll centres open on April 22.

Mr Albanese said it will take work each and every day of the remainder of the campaign to sway voters despite experts saying many have already made up their minds.

“I won’t clock off, you know, I’m not even going to the Bunnies this afternoon, we are working,” he said of his favourite NRL team.

Up to half of all voters now cast ballots early and the steep increase shows how little campaigns matter overall, ANU political scientist Jill Sheppard said.

The earlier campaign launches suggest both parties have something up their sleeves with Dr Sheppard anticipating the coalition and Labor to make an old-style big splash announcement on Sunday.

The vast majority of voters at this point had either made their minds up or were getting ready to vote early, she said.

“Unless one leader was to make a disastrous campaign misstep, it’s not really going to shift folks at this time.”