By Dominic Giannini and Andrew Brown in Canberra

Power prices is the latest issue being argued over by political leaders as a pre-election campaign continues despite polling day likely being months away.

The political tussle on Tuesday largely focused on respective energy policies with Anthony Albanese and Peter Dutton painting themselves as the best chance to take Australia forward and address cost of living.

“The next election will be about Labor with cost of living relief and a plan to build Australia’s future, Peter Dutton costing people more and taking Australia backwards,” Mr Albanese said.

“I am not sure what he does about energy security in the 2030s because he has got no answer to it before some fantasy of a nuclear reactor comes on in the 2040s.”

The coalition plans to build seven nuclear reactions across the nation and increase reliance on coal and gas in the transition period.

Mr Dutton accused the prime minister of having “pulled every wrong lever” when it came to the economy over its tenure as the cost of living rose.

“If we continue to see softening in the Australian dollar, if we continue to see inflation run rampant under this government, then we will see interest rates stay higher for longer,” Mr Dutton told reporters in Ipwich.

“I want to see interest rates come down. I think they would have already come down by now if there had been a coalition government in place.”

Independent MP Zoe Daniel said nuclear energy was too expensive and too slow for Australia, which should take advantage of its wind and solar resources.

The coalition is trying to win back her seat of Goldstein after she won it at the 2022 election.

“Unlike most other countries, we have other options in renewables that places like the UK and France don’t have,” Ms Daniel told ABC radio.

“The biggest issue with the nuclear conversation is stalling investment in renewable energy, prolonging the future of fossil fuels.”

Mr Albanese visited Gilmore on the NSW coast on Tuesday to announce $5 million for the Nowra Riverfront Precinct alongside local Labor member Fiona Phillips.

It’s one of two of Australia’s most marginal seats on 0.2 per cent.

The unofficial detente between major parties to not campaign in January before Australia Day to let people relax and enjoy holidays and summer and getting ready to go back to school has been thrown out the window, one pollster said.

“With (just weeks) to go until polls open, they don’t have that luxury,” RedBridge Group director and former Victorian Liberal deputy state director Tony Barry told AAP.

The federal election has to be held by late May.

Mr Albanese “can’t run on his own record, otherwise he’s dead meat” and is instead looking to frame the election as one for Australia’s future, Mr Barry said.

“Labor’s message is clearly research based about building a better Australia and they have to build hope and optimism,” he said.

“They have to convince Australians the plan is working and to let them finish it.”

Labor couldn’t run on its record in government as it had “no story to tell”, Mr Dutton said.

“The prime minister could not tell you what he has achieved in this term of parliament, he is talking about what the agenda might be if they get re-elected,” Mr Dutton said.

Dutton’s ‘soft launch’ comes without answers