| Campaign launches and policy costings | Good afternoon,
It was the day for campaign launches and unofficial second launches.
The Coalition kicked off its campaign - officially - in western Sydney, the Greens were in Melbourne and Labor didn't want to miss out on the fun, so it held a "Queensland launch" in Brisbane.
Here's what happened:
1. THE COALITION ASKED VOTERS TO 'STICK TO THE PLAN'
The Prime Minister began his pitch to the nation with his favourite catchphrase, "there has never been a more exciting time to be an Australian".
He emphasised the Coalition's economic plan, export trade deals and proposed company tax cuts.
But he then moved on to talk about the Brexit vote, saying Australia must "always expect the unexpected".
He said the economic shockwaves that followed Britain's decision to leave the EU were "a sharp reminder of the volatility in the global economy".
"We present a stable Coalition majority government, with a positive national economic plan that secures our future," he said.
"The alternative at this election is a Labor Party that has lost its way or a protest vote for Greens or independents. Vote for any of them and you could end up with Bill Shorten as prime minister in a government where unions, Greens, and independents pull the strings."
The major funding announcement from the launch was $192 million for front line mental health services including 12 suicide prevention sites and 10 more Headspace centres.
Mr Turnbull also announced a $50 million strategy to assist seniors who want to improve their digital literacy skills.
On immigration, he said: "Our policies are tough. No doubt about it. But these policies have stopped the drownings at sea and restored the integrity of, and trust in, our large but orderly immigration and refugee programs."
There were big cheers from the audience for his "resolute" stance on border security.
Mr Turnbull finished his pitch by saying "we alone have the economic plan our nation needs in these times of opportunity and challenge".
2. SO, WAS TONY ABBOTT THERE?
Yes, the former prime minister and his wife Margie were seated in the front row, clapping politely for the man who ousted him from the top job last year.
Mr Turnbull and Mr Abbott shook hands and Mr Turnbull thanked his predecessor in his speech.
"Tony, you brought to an end the chaos and dysfunction of the Rudd, Gillard, Rudd years and you remain a powerful and dedicated advocate for our great cause," Mr Turnbull said.
Liberal deputy leader Julie Bishop told the launch Mr Abbott, and all Coalition parliamentarians, were part of "Turnbull's team".
3. LABOR RELEASES ITS COSTINGS ONE HOUR AFTER COALITION LAUNCH
Treasurer Scott Morrison accused Labor of releasing its costings under the cover of the Coalition's launch.
But Shadow Treasurer Chris Bowen said he wanted to make the announcement a full week before the election.
"This is a funny way of hiding something, in a press conference with like 40 journalists, and seven TV cameras, and multiple still cameras," he said.
Mr Bowen said Labor would balance the budget in the same year as the Government, 2020-21.
The party also unveiled more savings that it says will improve the budget bottom line by $430 million over four years.
Mr Bowen was forced to defend Labor's decision to run higher deficits over the forward estimates, in light of the Brexit conditions.
"The fact is this budget needs good quality structural reform. Now, the last thing the real economy needs at the moment with the global uncertainty created is, in our view, a sort of very urgent and rushed fiscal contraction," he said.
4. GREENS PAINT THEMSELVES AS A 'VIABLE ALTERNATIVE'
The Greens held their campaign launch in Melbourne, pledging to push a strong renewable-energy led economy.
The party outlined its main objectives as protecting the environment, increasing housing affordability, a parliamentary vote for same-sex marriage and closing offshore asylum seeker processing centres.
Greens leader Richard Di Natale said the party offered a viable alternative to the traditional political parties.
"Our vote is growing," he said.
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