Before we head to the ballot box, join host Charles Croucher for the first time On The Trail.

As the sugar hit from the cash and calorie heavy budget wears off, AFR Economics Editor John Kehoe reveals why the budget should have been better but could have been worse.

Veteran adman and 3AW Breakfast host Russel Howcroft explains why you'll soon be peppered with negative ads - most of them from Clive Palmer.

With a small army of staffers and advisors preparing to pile onto the campaign bus, get the inside word on what happens on the hustings with political operatives Sally Branson and Jinane Bou-Assi.