When did the election campaign start?

Apparently it only started this week!

Politicians and their staff, when they travel on official business, have their fares and living expenses – their travel allowance, or “TA” – picked up by the taxpayer.

After an election is called, this pleasing arrangement is deemed to continue until the parties declare themselves to be in official campaign mode, by means of the ritualistic staging of a “campaign launch”

http://www.smh.com.au/news/opinion/annabel-crabb/2007/11/09/1194329506213.html

The electoral rolls have been in “campaign mode” for weeks already meaning no one can update their details or enroll, locking many young voters out.

Sounds like they want to have it both ways.