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In a bid for the migrant, vote bringing elderly parents here is on offer. That’s going to cost us a motza. Shorten comes up short on detail, every time. I remember Wayne Swan’s famous promises of surpluses. They never happened.

Scott Morrison is concentrating on the stuff that affects us every day. Infrastructure spending to relieve congestion coupled with a cap on immigration and the already generous refugee intake. Tax relief for middle income earners. Not a focus on one illness; thousands more lifesaving drugs on the PBS for all of us.

He has been criticised by some for not offering dramatic bells and whistles. What? In the face of a potentially darkening world economy this is no time for theatrics. We need a steady pair of hands.

Campaigns are tough. Particularly on the leaders. Leaders will have an early telephone hook-up with the campaign people. Then the daily grind of a hectic schedule of campaigning interrupted by flights and a few hours' sleep.

Media follow them around and give us snippets on the news. There’s a rough outline for the campaign in terms of which policies will be announced when but it gets tossed around by events. If a really big news story breaks, like a tsunami or a terrorist attack, an important policy announcement might be delayed. Why give out good news that’s just going to be swamped by the bigger story? It’s a movable feast of potential nightmares. Leaders have all this on their plate 24/7.

Morrison has done a great job. The government has delivered jobs. That’s most important to those who aren’t as economically lucky as those at the big end of town. He’s a grassroots campaigner. You could take him anywhere and he’d be at ease. He’s got authenticity and plenty of it. He’s absolutely committed to the economy and jobs because that’s where livelihoods are made or broken. From a good economy comes the money for all the good things we want done – health, education, welfare and defence. He’s not promising stuff that just can’t be delivered. How he gets up and looks fresh as a daisy every day is lost on me. He stays calm and keeps at it. Determination, resilience, authenticity and civility are very important traits for leaders. Morrison is well equipped.

The two things he has that Shorten lacks are authenticity and likeability. Shorten’s wife, Chloe, is being used at every opportunity to try to smokescreen the problem with Bill. The problem is you get him, not her, as PM.

I can’t find any people who say they like him. People say they don’t trust him. They hear a shallowness in his voice and see him as a hollow man. And this is from my Labor mates!

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The election is tough on candidates as well. In each seat there is only one winner. The unsuccessful have often given up an awful lot to stand. You may see them as self-servers who just want to get into Parliament. Of some on all sides that may be true, but plenty are in there, contributing to our democratic process, giving it their best shot. It’s only because of their efforts that we get to choose. From the comfort of our lounge chairs we should be grateful that people are out there giving us that choice.

In safe seats the other candidates know they’re going to lose but provide a choice for voters who don’t support the incumbent. It’s a thankless task.

The toughest job is a marginal seat. The incumbent obviously wants to be returned. Equally the other party is in with a chance and puts enormous effort into snagging a victory. The pressure is on everyone. Friends and family members watch the ups and downs of the campaign; adrenalin runs high.

Candidates have to put everything into it. They’re out at shopping centres and door knocking often in terrible weather. Remember, most Australians aren’t like the swill you can find on social media. Candidates often get a friendly "good luck" and mistakenly see that as a sign of support rather than casual pleasantries. Too many to believe that they are actually going to win. But there’ll only be one winner. All the effort of the other candidates appears wasted. It isn’t. It’s a vital contribution to our democracy, but you can bet the losing candidates don’t get much gratitude. It is a very deep comedown from the adrenalin-filled campaign.

My own view is that if Shorten is elected we are all losers, big time. As usual when things go pear-shaped those lowest down the ladder will be hit hardest. But whoever wins, the day after, spare a thought and some gratitude for all the candidates who gave it their best and gave us the choice.