How the campaign trail shows what Scott Morrison is really like

If the ageing rockers of AC/DC caught wind of the way the LNP kicked off his election campaign in Queensland, perhaps they rolled their eyes.

(Or perhaps they phoned their lawyers, as they've been known to do. But that's showbiz, baby).

At a rally in Brisbane, the Christian Prime Minister - and self-described "daggy dad" - dramatically strode in to greet the party faithful to the anthem 'Back in Black' - a rock n roll reference to a forecast Budget surplus.

Scott Morrison then took to the stage with the demeanour of a preacher. A loose grip on the microphone. An arm waving in the air. Signs of a man at ease on the campaign trail.

At press conferences in Canberra, the Prime Minister can be terse. Sometimes even loud and forceful with his answers.

READ MORE: On the road with Bill Shorten

IN PICTURES: Week one of the Federal Election

But the character we've seen travelling through four states in the past week has displayed a much gentler demeanour.

Of course, some cheerful moments are for photo opportunities. Patting dogs at a marketplace in Brisbane, playing pool with residents at an aged care home in Victoria, walking through the streets of a marginal electorate in Sydney's inner west.

But the man behind the scenes has appeared more relaxed too. Casually chatting with journalists over lunch, mingling at a screening of Game of Thrones, becoming deeply engrossed in a Cronulla Sharks game on a nearby TV screen.

When asked by a journalist, Mr Morrison claimed his sense of calm was all down to experience.

"I've been Treasurer. I've been Immigration Minister at probably one of the most difficult times to be Immigration Minister," he said.

"I am no stranger to very difficult situations and I tend to become quite calm and peaceful under these circumstances."

He was also once the director of the New South Wales Liberal Party - so campaigning is where his experience lies.

Whether it's because he's comfortable in this environment, or whether it's a concerted effort to soften his tone, to appeal more broadly to voters, the Prime Minister's first week on the trail has taken many by surprise.

Perhaps his opponents underestimated his ability on the campaign trail. For the first time in a long time, the Coalition had a virtually trouble-free week, while the pressure moved onto the Labor Party.

Bill Shorten has been building up to this moment for six years but found himself fighting off scrutiny over the costings of his climate policy, as well as his superannuation tax plan.

The Prime Minister said he believed there was extra pressure on the Opposition leader this time around.

"He's the front-runner and I think at the last election, people weren't really expecting him to become Prime Minister, so he didn't come under the scrutiny that he certainly is at this occasion," he said.

The planets appeared to align for Scott Morrison in the first week of campaigning.

Bill Shorten had a tough week, while the Prime Minister hit his stride. But it's only week one of a very long race.

And the Coalition has been consistently trailing in the opinion polls for a very long time.

No doubt in the weeks ahead, we'll see the PM make many more dramatic entrances - it's a question of whether his campaigning skills will be enough to prevent a Coalition exit.