| The campaign kicks off in Queensland and Shorten faces questions over Labor's unity | Good afternoon, today both major party leaders kicked off their campaigns in Queensland, with the PM in Brisbane and the Opposition Leader in Cairns.
ABC political reporter Anna Henderson says that with a number of marginal seats, Brisbane will be a "crucial battleground".
Here's what happened today:
1. PARTY LEADERS HIT THE ROAD
Malcolm Turnbull was pushing his jobs and growth policies, visiting Brisbane's Rocklea Markets, a juice factory and a youth centre, where he continued to plug the youth employment program outlined in the budget.
"Working with others, building up their confidence, that enables them to go on and realise their dreams," he said.
Meanwhile, Bill Shorten visited a school in Cairns. He told reporters a Labor government would provide $4.8 million to fund 100 scholarships per year to help Indigenous people become teachers.
He said Indigenous students made up 5 per cent of schools, but only 1 per cent of the teaching community.
Missed the action? Look back at today's politics blog.
2. DON'T FORGET THE PRESS
Have you ever wondered what it's like to be a journo in the press pack? ABC political reporter Francis Keany says it's not as glamorous as you might think.
While the PM and the Opposition Leader enjoy VIP jets, the press gallery will be travelling in two Hercules C130 aircraft. C130s are usually used for transporting troops.
3. SHORTEN FACES ASYLUM SEEKER QUESTIONS
The Opposition Leader downplayed talk of internal questions, after Labor's candidate for the seat of Melbourne questioned the party's stance on offshore processing.
Sophie Ismail posted on social media last week, calling for "an immediate end to the cruelty on Manus and Nauru".
Immigration Minister Peter Dutton responded to the comments, saying they showed Labor was split on border protection, but Bill Shorten said his party's position was clear.
"When it comes to people smugglers and turnbacks and not having onshore processing for people who are smuggled here by criminal syndicates, we are not for turning on our policy," he said.
4. GOVERNMENT IN CARETAKER MODE
The Government was officially placed in caretaker mode this morning when Mark Fraser, official secretary to the Governor-General, read a proclamation to dissolve parliament.
It means the Government can't make any decisions which would "bind an incoming government and limit its freedom of action".
That includes the adoption of major policies or appointments.
The Senate and the House of Representatives bid farewell to one another via Twitter.
5. JENSEN SET TO RUN AS INDEPENDENT IN WA SEAT
Discarded Liberal MP Dennis Jensen is expected to announce he'll contest the WA seat of Tangney as an independent candidate.
Dr Jensen previously accused the party of branch stacking after he lost a preselection battle with its former state director Ben Moreton.
Tangney is one of the Liberal Party's safest seats in WA.
Dr Jenson was due to hold a press conference as we hit send on this email.
FROM THE DRUM: PAULA MATTHEWSON
Labor and the Coalition have been flouting political conventions as we move towards the federal election, political writer and communications advisor Paula Matthewson writes.
From outlining policies early, to calling a very long campaign period, time will tell if their tactics have been clever or catastrophic.
COMING UP NEXT: - Tune into 7.30 tonight to see interviews with Labor senator Penny Wong and Finance Minister Mathias Cormann
- Labor MP Anthony Albanese will speaking live to Lateline
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