It's been the calm after the storm, if you like. Or rather, the sit-down where we all work out what higher interest rates mean. What spending will have to go if the mortgage gets much more expensive; that kind of thing.
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Labor has been making the calculation about what might woo voters - and it's calculated that it shouldn't be too specific with its promises.
Campaigning in a marginal seat in Melbourne, leader Anthony Albanese repeated his pledge for "same job, same pay" - meaning that casual workers in a job should get the same money as more permanent staff.
But he wouldn't be drawn on whether wages would - or should - keep pace with inflation under a Labor government. And he steered well clear of questions about whether he would push for a public sector pay rise.
Scott Morrison was out and about in Glenelg but bumped into one of those delicious, though brief, moments when a member of the public - a voter - goes off-script.
One onlooker raced to keep up with him, yelling "You've sold your soul to Brian Houston" before walking off.
The awkward moment was short-lived as he encountered a friendly dog called Winston.
Such is the way elections operate.
In an election where economics are probably top of the agenda, the Treasurer and would-be treasurer squared off (figuratively, of course) at the National Press Club.
Labor's Jim Chalmers lambasted an "out-of-touch" Coalition over a threadbare agenda despite skyrocketing cost-of-living pressures. Treasurer Josh Frydenberg voiced his great concern about unknown Labor spending promises.
But in maybe the nicest moment of the campaign, both men appeared to like each other. At one stage, Dr Chalmers said he respected Mr Frydenberg. "I want to repay that compliment," the Treasurer replied.
The coronavirus just won't go away.
Three new Omicron subvariants have reached Australia. Doctors warn that winter is likely to see a spike in COVID-19 cases and flu.
The latest advice is that people should wait three months after a confirmed COVID-19 infection before getting their next vaccine dose - but then get it as soon as possible.
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Steve Evans
Steve Evans is a reporter on The Canberra Times. He's been a BBC correspondent in New York, London, Berlin and Seoul and the sole reporter/photographer/paper deliverer on The Glen Innes Examiner in country New South Wales. "All the jobs have been fascinating - and so it continues."
Steve Evans is a reporter on The Canberra Times. He's been a BBC correspondent in New York, London, Berlin and Seoul and the sole reporter/photographer/paper deliverer on The Glen Innes Examiner in country New South Wales. "All the jobs have been fascinating - and so it continues."
