And so the time has come to choose. The election campaign, which at best can be described as uninspiring and overlong, leaves Australians with a less-than-perfect choice.

Despite Malcolm Turnbull’s last minute valiant efforts, the campaign has seen a confused and timid Coalition largely avoid the big issues of the day, preferring instead to hide behind a wafer-thin promise of ‘jobs and growth’ built on hugely optimistic forecasts, an unconvincing promise to ‘live within our means’ and a tentative corporate tax cut.