Day 29 on the hustings saw Labor launch its election campaign as well as launching an attack on Tony Abbott's plan to stop asylum seekers by phone.
PM Julia Gillard took the stage at the Brisbane Convention Centre after a rousing introduction followed by a hug from Australia's longest-serving former prime minister, Bob Hawke.
First, she thanked former PM Kevin Rudd who received a standing ovation upon entering.
News that makes sense
Your trusted source for staying up-to-date with the world around you. Get free daily news updates and analysis, straight to your inbox.
Gillard then gave a speech that analysts described as 'no frills', eschewing an auto-cue and emphasising Labor's economic plan and the importance of jobs.
However, the PM dropped her habitually calm and collected style when she referred to the Coalition's announcement today that it would 'stop the boats' within three months if elected.
Tony Abbott had earlier earned himself the nickname 'Boatman' after declaring he would personally decide which boats to turn away. He said the navy would alert him of each new arrival via a dedicated hotline.
"Presumably, from the safety of Kirribilli as he watches luxury yachts go by, Mr Abbott is going to provide some advice to that commander about how to stop the boats."
He could not say how long asylum seekers would spend in offshore detention centres after he had made the call.
Gillard drew loud applause when she called Abbott's plan 'a nonsense' that all Australians would see through.
The PM used the launch to announce $392 million for health at the launch, spruiking online video consultations in what was possibly one of Labor's last policy announcements before election day next Saturday.
Abbott's day was sparse on policy announcements, but high on action.
He spent the day racing between photo opportunities in Sydney's western suburbs, visiting school soccer fields, a glassworks factory and a martial arts class.
Abbott announced $8 million to refurbish sporting facilities in the region, and $10 million to establish anti-gang squad headquarters aimed at deterring criminal bikie activity, he said.
He defended the relatively scant promises by attacking Labor, accusing the PM of 'handing out goodies like Santa'.
Abbott concluded his race for marginal votes with an interview with the Sydney Morning Herald in which he warned welfare recipients there is 'no such thing as a a free lunch'.
Australian Greens leader Bob Brown slammed both the major parties.
He stressed that Gillard failed to mention climate change at her launch, and accused both Labor and the Coalition of being in thrall to coal companies. He renewed calls to legalise gay marriage.
Brown also reiterated his position on voting preferences, saying voters should tick whichever box they desired on the Senate ballot.
His call was the antithesis of that of former Labor leader and serial campaign distraction Mark Latham, who drew fire for encouraging people to submit invalid votes.
"Don't listen to Mark Latham," Brown told reporters.
With just five days to go until the election, neither Julia Gillard nor Tony Abbott gained much purchase in the polls, and the prospect of a hung parliament loomed ever more likely.
