Face off: PM, Dutton cross paths in campaign hot spot

Anthony Albanese and Peter Dutton exchanged pleasantries on the campaign trail. (Mick Tsikas/AAP PHOTOS)

The prime minister and his coalition rival have come face-to-face for the first time since the starter's gun fired on the election campaign.

Both leaders have spent the past week zipping across the nation to court voters ahead of the May 3 election.