The starter's gun has been fired on a short, sharp election campaign. Dana Daniel looks at the markedly different tones - one of optimism, one of anxiety - the two leaders seton day one, while Miriam Webber writes about what we know about each party's platforms, while Connor Pearce reports on how the fate of 41,000 public service jobs has become an immediate flashpoint in the campaign.

Still on the election, Jack Waterford ponders an uninspiring choice between the two leaders and wonders whether the centre will hold, while Michelle Grattan says this election will absolutely go down to the wire.

A rape victim has described her nearly decade-long marriage as a "relentless cycle of fear, violence and coercive control". Tim Piccione reports on the woman's victim impact statement before the sentencing of her former husband, 45-year-old Justin Isaac Benn.

And he's the "best since Ricky Stuart", at least on one key metric. David Polkinghorne explains why Jamal Fogarty is so important to the Raiders.

Geez, they made it hard at times, but the Brumbies kept their season alive with a last-gasp win at home. Get a taste of the action with Caden Helmers's report.

Prepare for a wet day today. The forecast is for 10-50 millimetres of rain, with heavy falls possible, and a predicted top of 18 degrees.

John-Paul Moloney, managing editor