The day started with Australian entrepreneur Dick Smith making headlines by suggesting Australia should have an independent population body that determines our rate of growth.
The former Australian of the Year said the body would act in much the same way as the Reserve Bank, and would set the country's target population.
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The tussle over Treasury leaks continued, with Labor's Deputy Leader Wayne Swan demanding the Coalition submit its policies for verification under the Charter of Budget Honesty by 5.30pm (AEST) Friday.
The Coalition says it will have an independent accounting firm cost the policies if the AFP refuses to mount an investigation into the leaking of a Treasury document to the Sydney Morning Herald.
Activist organisation GetUp won the second of its major court battles, this time on online voter registration.
The group says it hopes Aussie voters will be able to register using the Internet in time for the Victorian state elections in November this year.
Policy-wise, the Coalition pledged $200 million towards rewarding Australia's best teachers, while Liberal leader Tony Abbott visited a school in Melbourne.
"Preference will be given to teachers in disadvantaged schools, schools with a higher proportion of special needs students and schools located in regional areas," Abbott said.
Labor leader Julia Gillard also had education and training on the day's policy agenda, pledging an extra $1,700 for trade apprentices who reach training milestones.
"An additional 50,000 apprentices are expected to start and stick with their apprenticeship as a result of our apprentice income bonus," Ms Gillard said.
As the Rooty Hill community forum becomes just a memory for the leaders of the major parties, Australia's biggest small parties have agreed to their own debate.
Greens senate candidate Lee Rhiannon accepted a challenge by the Nationals' Fiona Nash.
The debate will take place in regional NSW early next week, and will focus on farming.
Meanwhile, academics are vocalising the possibility of a hung parliament, if polling continues the way it has been.
Analysts say there could be up to four independents in a new government, increasing the chances of instability and splintering.
