It's on: Australia will head to the polls on July 2.

As mothers all over the nation celebrate their day, maybe with children making them breakfast in bed and handing them home-made cards, our Prime Minister has flown from Sydney to Canberra to call the election.

The widely anticipated move came early Sunday afternoon, after both Malcolm Turnbull and Governor General Sir Peter Cosgrove travelled to Canberra for the formal announcement.

As the Prime Minster previously flagged, the election is expected to be set for July 2, making the campaign one of the longest our nation has ever seen, and the longest in over 50 years.

Turnbull arrived at the Governor General’s residence around 1pm on Sunday for the formal meeting to request the dissolution of parliament and the issuing of election writs. The meeting lasted around 15 minutes.

As this election will be a double dissolution, all lower house seats and every senate spot will be up for grabs.

The election will see a large turnover in parliament, with over 29 politicians standing down at the end of the 44th parliament.

Just a few months ago, a Coalition victory seemed almost certain as Turnbull’s popularity far outweighed Opposition Leader Bill Shorten’s, but the polls have narrowed significantly, with the two sides virtually level.

Still, Labor will need to win 21 seats off the Government to snatch victory — a tall order.

Speaking at a press conference, Turnbull once again said “there has never been a more exciting time to be an Australian” while outlining his election pitch.

It was a pitch heavy on talk of economic security, innovation and investment.

“We have laid out a clear economic plan to enable us to succeed,” he said.

Turnbull said the double dissolution election was essential to enable the passage of legislation to reinstate the Australian Building and Construction Commission.

“It is a vital economic reform and critical to our continued success,” the Prime Minister said.

In a long speech, he also attacked Labor’s plans.

“During this election campaign my opponent Mr Shorten will continue to make very big promises… I ask Australians to remember that Labor has no way to pay for them except through debt and deficit,” he said.

“The choice could not be clearer this election.”

He also talked up the Coalition’s record on defence and security.