End of the first day of the second week and what happened? Let's look back and see:
- Tony Abbott was in Melbourne where he visited a traffic management centre and promised to be an infrastructure prime minister;
- Kevin Rudd was in Sydney where he visited a Macquarie University research centre and promised $35 million to help retrain manufacturing workers;
- there was not much snap, crackle and pop left over from last night's debate - more "mock and bore than shock and awe" was how chief political correspondent Mark Kenny described it; but
- tomorrow holds the economic excitement that is the release of the pre election economic and fiscal outlook (PEFO).
And one final reminder - four hours to go until the electoral rolls close. It's your last chance to enrol to vote if you have not already done so.
My thanks - as always - to Andrew Meares and Alex Ellinghausen for their hard work and to you for reading and keeping us company.
See you in the morning.
Breaking news reporter Jonathan Swan is travelling with Mr Abbott.
In this video Jonathan reports on Mr Abbott's promise to be the "infrastructure prime minister" as well as Mr Abbott's unfortunate choice of words at a campaign event earlier today (see 10.51 am post). You can read his story here.
Abbott gaffe takes centre stage
On the campaign trail with Tony Abbott, Jonathan Swan reports on the Coalition's infrastructure pledge, and an unintended bout of potty humour.
- Autoplay OnOff
- Video feedback
- Video settings
At the weekend Labor lost two candidates (yes, I know - to lose one candidate is unfortunate, to lose two is careless).
One was Geoff Lake who was running in former minister Simon Crean's Melbourne seat of Hotham until some unsavoury footage of him abusing a woman at a 2002 council meeting emerged.
Mr Lake has been replaced by Clare O'Neil, a former mayor of Dandenong turned management consultant.
The Age's Henrietta Cook has more.
Mr Rudd announced $35.6 million to retrain manufacturing workers who wanted to move from low tech to hi tech industries.
The latest piece in our series on the big issues of the campaign is available.
Today, The Age's education editor, Jewel Topsfield, looks at education policy.
Education is a bread and butter issue for Labor (indeed, much of the past three years has been about reform of the school funding system) but it has not yet made much of an appearance on the campaign trail.
Only five hours to go until the electoral rolls close.
Your country, your say.
Back in those fraught days following the 2010 election campaign Tony Windsor (then the independent MP for New England) recalled a conversation with Tony Abbott in which Mr Abbott begged the cross benchers to make him prime minister.
"The only thing I wouldn't do is sell my arse - but I'd have to give serious thought to it," was how Mr Windsor recalled Mr Abbott's conversation.
This was weighing on Mr Windsor's mind in light of Mr Abbott's "suppository" remark earlier today:
Re: @TonyAbbottMHR 's suppository gaffe - I warned him about that
— Tony Windsor (@TonyWindsorMP) August 12, 2013
While things are quiet allow me to point you in the direction of some of the cool interactives Fairfax Media has come up with as part of its campaign coverage.
The first is the 30 hot seats of the campaign.
The social media stats for both major parties.
A guide to the parties' policies.
Hmmm, it's quiet, isn't it? Neither Mr Rudd nor Mr Abbott have any further events planned for the day.
In the mean time check out this video from Daniel Burt, an Australian living in Paris, who pottered about Paris asking people about l'election. Tres drole.
Going Postal: expat's view of l'election
Living in Paris, Aussie humourist Daniel Burt discovers there's only one Australian candidate of any consequence to the French.
- Autoplay OnOff
- Video feedback
- Video settings
Mr Rudd used last night's debate to raise the issue of gay marriage - namely that if he was re elected he would introduce a bill on the matter within the first 100 days.
Coalition leader Tony Abbott remains personally opposed to the issue and to any change in the Coalition's position ahead of the election. However, he says the issue could be revisited if the party room brought it up after the election.
Liberal MP Kelly O'Dwyer is a supporter of gay marriage. But she thinks Mr Abbott's position is entirely reasonable.
Here is the interview with Ms O'Dwyer. (Dan Harrison has also written this story about Mr Rudd's announcement.)
O'Dwyer: Abbott 'right' on same-sex marriage
Liberal MP and same-sex marriage supporter Kelly O'Dwyer defends Tony Abbott's position on same-sex marriage legislation.
- Autoplay OnOff
- Video feedback
- Video settings
I know - it's hard to believe that there's only one sleep to go until the release of PEFO (pre election economic and fiscal outlook) tomorrow.
I can't wait. All those numbers.
Naturally, Labor is using it as an excuse to remind the Coalition that it needs to "come clean" on its policy costings, as MP Andrew Leigh put it in this video. Mr Leigh also defends the way Labor continues to raise the GST - even though the Coalition has repeatedly said there are no plans to change it.
Abbott must 'come clean' on costings
Labor MP Andrew Leigh says the Coalition must "come clean" on its policy costings, and that repeated questions over raising the GST are legitimate.
- Autoplay OnOff
- Video feedback
- Video settings
Mr Rudd's notes for his press conference earlier today.
Note the name - "Spray 12".
"Spray 12" - Prime Minister Kevin Rudd's notes for his media conference at Macquarie University in Sydney. Photo: Andrew Meares
Bit more analysis of the debate.
Chief political correspondent Mark Kenny writes that it was a "mostly male talkfest" that was a turn off for voters.
Seven channels broadcast the debate but it attracted significantly fewer viewers than previous debates (although the coverage was shunted off to digital channels by most stations).
And, finally, political strategists Jannette Cotterell and Greg Turnbull decode the messaging. Why was it so boring?
'Whitebread man' debate
Who won the leaders' debate, and why was it so dry? Strategists Jannette Cotterell and Greg Turnbull decode the messaging.
- Autoplay OnOff
- Video feedback
- Video settings
Or maybe it's me being a smart alec and paying attention to the appearance of male politicians.
Prime Minister Kevin Rudd leaves the Australian Hearing Hub at Macquarie University in Sydney on Monday. Photo: Andrew Meares
Maybe it's a really clever tactic to get women to sympathise with Mr Rudd via his hair worries.
Prime Minister Kevin Rudd leaves the Australian Hearing Hub at Macquarie University in Sydney on Monday. Photo: Andrew Meares
It's okay Mr Rudd - every woman knows how you feel.
Prime Minister Kevin Rudd leaves Macquarie University in Sydney on Monday. Photo: Andrew Meares
The weather forecast for Sydney was right when it predicted winds "turning gusty" during the afternoon.
Prime Minister Kevin Rudd leaves Macquarie University in Sydney on Monday. Photo: Andrew Meares
While Mr Rudd was visiting Macquarie University earlier today he met five month old Paddy Wilkinson. Paddy's mother instructed him: "Don't spit on the Prime Minister." It looks like Paddy was obedient.
Prime Minister Kevin Rudd and 5 month old Paddy Wilkinson at the Australian Hearing Hub at Macquarie University in Sydney on Monday. Photo: Andrew Meares
In today's Fact Checker segment economics correspondent Peter Martin looks at the Coalition claim that Labor's levy on bank deposits would cost "people who have prudently saved".
How does Peter rate this claim? Click here to find out.
You could also watch Peter explain his findings in this video interview.
A bank levy or a tax on savers?
Peter Martin investigates coalition claims that Labor's proposed levy on bank deposits is a tax on savers.
- Autoplay OnOff
- Video feedback
- Video settings
It's lunchtime. Let's take a moment to relax and enjoy the press release just sent out by funster Clive Palmer.
Palmer watchers will know Clive as an avid dinosaur enthusiast and Titanic tragic when he's not busy running for Parliament.
Mr Palmer announced earlier today that the first model testing of the Titanic II will take place in Germany next month.
I quote the press release here: "Mr Palmer said Titanic II would have similar dimensions as its predecessor with 840 rooms and nine decks. The only changes to the original Titanic would be below the water line including welding and not riveting, a bulbous bow for grater fuel efficiency, diesel generation and enlarged rudder and bow thrusters for increased manoeuvrability."
I can't wait!
Supporters listen as Opposition Leader Tony Abbott speaks at a campaign office in Ringwood, Victoria, on Monday. Photo: Alex Ellinghausen
Mr Abbott's supporters watch as he delivers an address in Melbourne earlier this morning.
Mr Rudd is speaking about his announcement last night that, if re elected, he would bring in a bill in the first 100 days for same sex marriage.
"I think the time has come to put this acrimonious debate behind us," Mr Rudd says.
He is then asked about why he brushed aside the debate question regarding Sydney's second airport.
Mr Rudd is a little more forthcoming than he was last night.
"Of course it's the most critical [airport] of all," he says.
"It's a big deal for Sydney, I understand that."
Mr Rudd assures people: "I'm a positive sort of guy with a positive set of plans."
The campaign is a mere doddle.
It is not "the most challenging thing" he's been through.
And we're back on the ground breaking issue of notes during the leaders' debate.
"There's a limit to how much you can scribble down on the palm of your hand," Mr Rudd says.
Mr Rudd says he is interesting in "building" for the future whereas Mr Abbott is interested in "cutting".
Mr Rudd is picking up on comments Mr Abbott made earlier this morning about the "golden age" of Jeff Kennett's time as premier of Victoria.
This allows him to run through the large numbers of teachers, nurses and police officers who lost their jobs during Mr Kennett's time as premier not to mention the 12.3 per cent unemployment rate.
Mr Rudd says places like the university's hearing hub ticks all Labor's boxes - jobs in research rather than mining, education, health and improving lives of people with disabilities.
Prime Minister Kevin Rudd visited an anechoic chamber at the Australian Hearing Hub at Macquarie University in Sydney on Monday. Photo: Andrew Meares
Kevin Rudd is speaking at Macquarie University. He is accompanied by candidate Jason Yat-Sen Li and Innovation Minister Kim Carr.
"I'm using notes also today," Mr Rudd begins with waving about a sheaf of papers.
"I prefer to be across the detail where I can."
(He wasn't smiling when he said that.)
We are just waiting for a press conference with Labor leader Kevin Rudd who is making his second visit to the Sydney seat of Bennelong in as many weeks.
Labor is keen to win the seat back from the Coalition (former tennis great John Alexander is the sitting member). The seat has a bit of chequered past. It was former prime minister John Howard's seat for many a year until he was turfed out by Maxine McKew in 2007. Ms McKew then lost to Mr Alexander the following election.
Mr Rudd has been touring Macquarie University this morning primarily to look at the institution's world leading research facility for testing hearing aids.
Mr Rudd being Mr Rudd he is almost sure to use the phrase "wired for sound" at some point.
Prime Minister Kevin Rudd visited an anechoic chamber with 41 speakers at the Australian Hearing Hub at Macquarie University in Sydney on Monday. Photo: Andrew Meares
The $80,000 bet on a Coalition win (see 11.20am post) prompts me to do a post on the issues the Australian Council of Social Service would like to see dealt with.
"In spite of our wealth a greater number of people are living in poverty which will worsen as unemployment rises," the chief executive officer of ACOSS, Cassandra Goldie, told a press conference earlier today.
"Having 2.2 million people living below the poverty line - including nearly 600,000 children - is unacceptable. If we don't take action to reverse this trend now, it will be more damaging and costly down the track."
ACOSS wants the next government to set a national development goal of reducing poverty and a report presented to Parliament each year on the progress.
Remember in the olden days when Julia Gillard was prime minister how we used to discuss whether or nor Mr Abbott had a problem with women?
It does not seem to be evident here.
Opposition leader Tony Abbott at a campaign office in Ringwood, Victoria, on Monday. Photo: Alex Ellinghausen
Some people have a lot of extra cash. Must be something to do with the low interest rates or something.
Sportingbet tells me they have just taken a bet of $80,000 on a Coalition win come September 7 - the biggest single wager for the campaign so far.
Sportingbet says the Coalition's odds are now $1.13 while Labor's are $6.
Last week it was Peter Beattie. This week's celebrity signing is former cricketer Nathan Bracken who will run as an independent in the NSW Central Coast seat of Dobell (held by former Labor MP Craig Thomson).
Perhaps of more interest is that Mr Bracken's campaign is being funded by ad man John Singleton. Mr Singleton has taken it upon himself to fund more than one campaign in the area. He says he has been a ratepayer in the area for more than 60 years and thinks the area needs higher quality representation.
Breaking news reporter Daniel Hurst has more.
One would have to agree with the boss of the Australian Workers' Union, Paul Howes, on this one:
I've got the feeling that some poor Lib advance staffer is going to be in a little trouble ... pic.twitter.com/JzdyDtKr49
— Paul Howes (@howespaul) August 12, 2013
Mr Abbott also sympathises with the dilemma of people living in electorates where the MP might be Labor but is still a "good bloke".
Mr Abbott asks people not to be swayed by the niceness of that person but to remember they are still a representative of Labor.
"If you want to change the government you've got to change the local Labor member," he says.
Who says politics isn't personal?
Opposition leader Tony Abbott visits a campaign office in Ringwood, Victoria, on Monday. Photo: Alex Ellinghausen
Mr Abbott went on to say he was not the "suppository" of all wisdom.
Coalition leader Tony Abbott is addressing a meeting of campaign faithful in the Melbourne seat of Deakin.
He brings up the issue of Mr Rudd's use of notes in last night's debate: "It's not that he was reading from notes it's that the notes weren't worth reading."
Opposition leader Tony Abbott visits a campaign office in Ringwood, Victoria, on Monday. Photo: Alex Ellinghausen
Is it a bird? It is a plane? No it's the light plane of Coalition MP Sussan Ley who flies herself around her vast electorate of Farrer which borders South Australia, Victoria and Queensland. (Hopefully she wasn't tweeting while flying.)
In the co-pilots seat in the Navajo flying to Deni with @GregHuntMP. Wind and rain. The dams in the southern Murray Darling are filling fast
— Sussan Ley (@sussanley) August 12, 2013
Naturally all parties want as many people enrolled to vote as possible.
But they do do some tricky things in the name of helping people do their civic duty.
Such as sending people postal vote application forms along with a reply paid envelope and possibly a flyer from the local candidate. The recipient then fills in all the relevant details and sends it back to an official looking address. Which just happens to be the office of a party. Parties are legally obliged to send the postal votes to the Australian Electoral Commission but they have also taken down that person's details and added them to their database.
Nifty, huh? If you'd like to read more about this trick you can click here.
Labor has been handing out these enrol to vote flyers over the past few days.
I think you will agree they are not entirely without a hint of self-interest but there you go - parties need all the voters they can get. It helps if they are able to vote. Labor sees voters aged between 18-24 as one of its key demographics. They are the people most likely not to be on the electoral roll.
Labor's campaign to get people to enrol to vote.
In just nine and half hours' time the electoral rolls will close.
After 8pm you will no longer be able to enrol to vote or change your details. Please visit the Australian Electoral Commission's website here if you are among the people who need to do a bit of paperwork before casting a vote on polling day.
There is also the tricky situation faced by people who are overseas on polling day.
There is no truth that Kevin Rudd has returned to the Sydney seat of Bennelong to announce that photobomber Joseph Kim will replace Jason Yat-Sen Li as Labor's candidate in the seat.
I told you last week that Liberal MP Philip Ruddock is travelling with Coalition leader Tony Abbott throughout the campaign.
Mr Ruddock told journalists last week his job was to "keep Tony calm". Perhaps the man who is known as the Father of the House because of his status as longest serving member of the House of Representatives could be known as Father of the Campaign?
But Mr Ruddock has been shy about being photographed thus far. Which just made Alex Ellinghausen all the more keen to catch him. As he did earlier this morning.
Liberal MP Philip Ruddock waits for the Opposition leader Tony Abbott In Melbourne on Monday. Photo: Alex Ellinghausen
Before the day gets away from me I must issue a mea culpa (regular readers will know I prefer not to pretend I haven't made a mistake by going back and correcting the blog after the fact).
In my 7.08pm post last night I brought you a humourous tweet that I thought was from former Howard government minister Peter Reith. It captured the spirit of the debate quite well, I thought. Pity it wasn't from Mr Reith's real account (which I do follow so I apologise to you and Mr Reith for having a momentary brain snap and not realising).
Opposition leader Tony Abbott visits the Vicroads traffic management centre in Melbourne on Monday. Photo: Alex Ellinghausen
Jonathan Swan called in a little while ago from the Vicroads traffic control centre which was Mr Abbott's first stop of the day.
You will recall Mr Abbott likes to talk a lot about infrastructure and how a Coalition government would do all sorts of things to make driving easier. But he was not lucky enough to witness a traffic snarl which he could promise to fix this morning.
Jonathan says a traffic centre staff member was muttering about the chances of a "dream traffic morning" just on the day a man promising more money to fix problems came into visit.
He was also quite chuffed to see Victorian Premier (and former vet) Denis Napthine being relegated to snacks duty. His job during the visit was to hand out toasted cheese and tomato sandwiches to reporters.
Coalition leader Tony Abbott is in Melbourne today. Reporter Jonathan Swan is now travelling with him. You can follow Jonathan on twitter @jonathanvswan for all the news and gossip from the trail.
Labor leader Kevin Rudd is in Sydney where he is visiting the seat of Bennelong (for the second time in two weeks). Reporter Heath Aston is with Mr Rudd. Heath's twitter handle is @HeathJAston if you'd like to keep up to date.
And a bit more on the debate - of a more substantial nature.
The Sydney Morning Herald's political editor, Peter Hartcher, had this assessment of the debate (he was on the panel). Peter writes that Coalition leader Tony Abbott managed to be "basically reassuring" while Labor leader Kevin Rudd failed to renew Labor's argument for re-election (as promised by his slogan).
The Age's political editor, Michael Gordon, said the end result of the debate was both men relying on the "same old lines" and falling short of giving people much new to think about.
And if you're after a more newsy - rather than an analytical account - chief political correspondent Mark Kenny filed this take last night which you can find here.
Let's begin today by looking back.
As predicted last night Kevin Rudd's use of notes in the debate has been keeping people occupied. The fact that that was the main thing people seem to be talking about is an indicator of how lacklustre the debate was. Does it matter? Well, the rules say he should not have used them. Commentators might say he should be on top of his brief and not in need of prompts.
Breaking news reporter Judith Ireland has filed this report on "notegate" (groan, I know, but it's handy shorthand for referring to the story).
Does it matter to you? You can have your say in our readers' poll here.
The eagle-eyed Andrew Meares went back through his photographs late last night and found the moment when Opposition Leader Tony Abbott noticed Mr Rudd's notes.
Prime Minister Kevin Rudd appears to read notes as Opposition leader Tony Abbott notices moments before last night's debate began. Photo: Andrew Meares
Welcome to our live coverage of the campaign.
Will the second week be a bit quieter than the first? It's a pleasure to have your company as Andrew Meares, Alex Ellinghausen and I bring you all the news and views.
Featured comment: