Labor has embarked on a lengthy leadership campaign while Tony Abbott allowed his team a moment to savour their election victory before continuing to set up his new government.
The prime minister-elect told the coalition's first party meeting since winning government they should be proud of themselves - briefly, then they had to get out and earn Australia's trust.
"Our task is but briefly to savour the moment. Our task is to give a great country and a great people the better government that the people of Australia deserve," Mr Abbott said on Friday.
"That is our task and we will now move purposely, calmly, methodically to deliver on our election commitments to build a stronger economy for a stronger Australia."
Mr Abbott reiterated their promises - stopping the boats, scrapping the carbon tax and returning the budget to surplus - before returning to meetings.
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His cabinet has yet to be announced but is expected to be sworn in next week.
Labor's first meeting had an entirely different purpose - choosing a new leader in a bid to achieve unity.
Anthony Albanese and Bill Shorten both put up their hands, triggering a new rule that means rank-and-file Labor members, as well as caucus, get to pick the leader, with both groups having an equal say.
As that process could take a month, outgoing treasurer Chris Bowen will be interim leader.
The Nationals reaffirmed their leader, Warren Truss, and made Barnaby Joyce deputy after his successful switch from the Senate to become the Member for New England.
Mr Joyce has never hidden his desire to be leader of the National Party, but has previously stated he won't put up his hand for the role until Mr Truss - who was elected to parliament in 1990 - retires.
The newly elected Nationals deputy could, however, raise tensions with Indonesia with his threats to campaign against Jakarta's plans to purchase a million hectares of Australian land for cattle breeding.
So could the coalition's border protection policy, set to be outlined next week, after Indonesia's Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa reportedly said this week his country won't accept part of it.
He was reportedly referring to the policy for a $20 million community engagement program to pay Indonesian village "wardens" to provide intelligence about people smugglers and a boat buy-back.
Mr Abbott's incoming foreign minister Julie Bishop said in a statement that Abbott government policies would, where appropriate, be discussed during formal bilateral meetings with Indonesian officials in coming weeks and months.
Meanwhile, the election vote count continues.
Federal Labor has conceded defeat in Eden-Monaro (NSW) and Capricornia (Qld).
But the party is also facing defeat in McEwen (Vic) and possibly in Parramatta (NSW).
Nearly a week after election day, the coalition is on track to win 93 seats in the House of Representatives to Labor's 53.
