Prime Minister Kevin Rudd says he will not be forced into any rash response to the unfolding crisis in Syria, as he rushes back to Canberra for briefings about the worsening civil war.
With reports the US is preparing for a cruise missile attack on Syrian government forces, Mr Rudd has called a temporary halt to election campaigning.
The prime minister has spoken with national security officials to work on Australia's response to claims Syria has used chemical weapons against its own people.
Mr Rudd says it's his responsibility as the prime minister of the country is to make sure these matters are being attended to thoroughly and carefully.
"Having spoken about this now at some length with the secretary of the Prime Minister's department and with the US ambassador, the next practical step is for formal national security briefings to myself and other relevant ministers which will occur in Canberra later today," Mr Rudd says.
Opposition leader Tony Abbott says it is entirely appropriate that Mr Rudd return to Canberra.
In line with caretaker government conventions Mr Abbott will be given equal national security briefings in Brisbane on Sunday, together with his deputy Julie Bishop.
Visiting South Australia, the Opposition Leader gave no indication he is halting his campaign.
He has accused Kevin Rudd of playing hardball with negative politics.
But Mr Rudd says he is focussed on overcoming Labor's underdog status.
"I'm in the business of fighting an election and fighting as hard as I can," he says.
The latest Newspoll shows that Mr Rudd is in danger of losing his seat.
The Coalition's seen a bounce in another poll.
According to the Nielson poll, Labor's primary vote is down two point to 35 per cent, compared with the Coalition at 47 per cent.
The Greens are steady at 10 per cent.
But Mr Abbott says he is not taking the poll results too seriously.
"As for the polls, look frankly, I don't believe them. I think this is a very, very close race."
The last Labor PM to be voted out by the people isn't hidding his disdain for the Opposition.
"They're always mean, mean little people," says Mr Keating.
The Greens had their party launch in Canberra today highlighting the differences between their policies and those of the major parties, including environmental programs and the treatment of asylum seekers.
With a primary vote lower than at the 20-10 election, the Greens acknowledge retaining the seat of Melbourne will be a challenge.
"The feedback from Melbourne has been good, but we know of course that it's going to be tough," deputy Greens leader Adam Bandt says.
It's focussing on winning senate seats so that the major parties don't have control of both houses.
The Prime Minister will remain in Canberra overnight following his Syrian briefing.
Meanwhile, the Opposition heads to Brisbane in preparation for tomorrow's Liberal Party Campaign launch.
