| Shorten, Turnbull distance themselves from the Greens amid talk of partnerships | Good afternoon, both major parties have been scrambling to distance themselves from the Greens, ruling out forming coalition governments in the event of a hung parliament.
Here's your wrap of what's been going on:
1. SHORTEN KYBOSHED TALK OF A GREENS COALITION
Opposition Leader Bill Shorten was quick to dismiss talk of a Labor-Greens coalition, after Greens MP Adam Bandt raised the prospect on the ABC's Q&A program last night.
Mr Bandt said his party would be willing to form a minority government with Labor if the election returned a hung parliament, but Mr Shorten said Mr Bandt was "dreaming".
Malcolm Turnbull has also ruled out a partnership with the Greens to form government, saying "there is absolutely no chance of that", but didn't rule out a preference deal with the party in some marginal seats.
Liberal Party director Tony Nutt also issued a statement saying "no decisions" had been made on preferences.
2. THE SUNSHINE STATE WAS STILL CENTRE STAGE
Both the PM and the Opposition Leader were still in Queensland today.
Malcolm Turnbull kicked off the day in Brisbane, where he continued his tour of marginal seats, visiting Forde (held by the Liberal Party) and Lilley, which is held by former Labor treasurer Wayne Swan.
The PM toured a hardware store before holding a doorstop at a hospital, where he spoke about innovation and science.
Meanwhile, Bill Shorten rose early for a morning jog before visiting a school in Townsville in the state's north, where he once again pushed Labor's education policies.
Labor has released a seat-by-seat break down of its pledge to pump an extra $4.5 billion into schools in 2018-19. You can read more here or watch the Opposition Leader's interview with ABC local radio.
Missed something? Look back at our politics blog to see how the day unfolded.
3. BOWEN DELIVERED HIS BUDGET REPLY
Shadow Treasurer Chris Bowen addressed the National Press Club, giving his response to what he called "the most haphazardly prepared budget in many years".
He said repairing the budget didn't need to interfere with Labor's other priorities.
"I do not see budget repair and defending the AAA rating as a competing objective with investment in schools, infrastructure and hospitals. I see them as complementary and essential parts of a real plan for economic growth," he said.
4. ABBOTT SUPPORTERS PLANNED A BOYCOTT
Tony Abbott's supporters have planned a "dangerous" boycott of the NSW marginal seat of Eden-Monaro as punishment for the incumbent member's role in ousting the former PM, ABC political correspondent Sabra Lane reports.
The Menzies Group - an informal Liberal Party organisation - sent an email encouraging its followers to support Liberal MP Dr Peter Hendy, who holds the seat on a margin of 2.9 per cent.
The email stated "some members have been heard at Canberra Liberals functions openly talking about their desire to see the incumbent lose the seat".
Dr Hendy was a crucial figure in the plot to unseat Mr Abbott from the top job last year.
5. JOYCE MADE A $1.6M FUNDING ANNOUNCEMENT
Nationals leader Barnaby Joyce arrived in Brisbane today, where he announced $1.6 million in funding for research grants for agricultural and veterinary chemical products, which he says will assist farmers to sow more crops and grow more food.
Mr Joyce also spoke about the decision by Australia's largest dairy producer Murray Goulburn to slash prices for its milk suppliers. "I know that this is a hard situation, we've got to try to work our way through," he said.
The Nationals leader will be visiting southern dairy farmers "very shortly" to discuss the developing crisis in Victoria and Tasmania.
BTW, ABC regional affairs reporter Lucy Barbour is on the campaign trail with Mr Joyce. You can follow her on Twitter @lucybarbour and watch for her #WombatTrail2016 hashtag.
FROM THE DRUM: SIMON COWAN
Voters often complain they are offered no choice, but in this election campaign there are already fundamental differences between the policies of the major parties, Simon Cowan writes.
A notable gulf has emerged between left and right about the role of government in the economy.
COMING UP NEXT: - Immigration Minister Peter Dutton will speak to Radio National's Drive program at 6:05pm AEST, followed by Labor MP Mark Butler at 6:30pm AEST. You can listen live here
- You can catch an interview with Shadow Treasurer Chris Bowen on 7.30
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