Hundreds of campaign posters were just the beginning for candidates as the first full day of federal election campaigning unfolded across Canberra.
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Campaign volunteers for Greens ACT Senate candidate Simon Sheikh carried out an overnight advertising blitz, putting up about 300 signs throughout Gungahlin and Belconnen.
The former GetUp! leader told Fairfax Media there were ''thousands more ready to go'' in the lead-up to the September 7 vote. ''This is the tightest Senate race in the country,'' he said.
''We are still the underdogs, but we've got a volunteer-driven campaign.''
Mr Sheikh said his campaign had attracted about 600 volunteers to help target shopping centres, call voters and continue the doorknocking campaign launched in February.
''We're yet to get final figures, but we understand it's the highest figure to work on an ACT campaign,'' he said.
In addition to volunteers, Mr Sheikh said his campaign had received about 400 ''small dollar'' donations.
A spokeswoman for Liberal candidate Zed Seselja declined to confirm volunteer numbers or donations, instead stating that volunteers would be letterboxing and doorknocking local voters over the next few weeks.
Her comments follow a request for funds from the Liberal Party, which emailed supporters on Sunday calling for $1 a day over the 34 days of the election campaign.
Labor supporters also received a party email, asking for donations of $5 to ''get us off to a strong start''.
Labor Senator Kate Lundy jetted off to Brisbane, where she spent the day balancing media appointments and portfolio announcements. ''It's a crazy time,'' she said.
She will spend Tuesday in Canberra, where some of her signs have already been vandalised.
All three Senate candidates took part in a debate on ABC Radio, before Mr Seselja left to do some doorknocking in the afternoon.
Meanwhile, Katter Party ACT Senate candidate Steven Bailey plans to publicise his candidacy by setting up a ''school of humanities'' at the Australian National University.
Mr Bailey said he would set up a tent near the school of music to host poetry and philosophical discussions on Wednesday.
He would also host a $25-a-ticket fund-raiser at Smiths Bookstore on August 14, aided by his 50 or so volunteers, while he waited on an impending ''five-figure'' donation.
Palmer United Party's ACT Senate candidate Wayne Slattery spent the day arranging meetings with various interest groups in the capital, including representatives from the Community and Public Sector Union.
Mr Slattery said he would also organise a voters' forum in the next few days.
Voluntary Euthanasia Party ACT Senate candidate Philip Nitschke said his party held a planning meeting on Monday to discuss action and its additional senate candidate for the capital.
Dr Nitschke, who moved to Canberra at the weekend, said his party's campaign had received a number of donations and was hoping to exceed $100,000.
''We're expecting more funds, but I think we'll be operating within a relatively modest budget,'' he said.
''We've got quite a number of members here in the ACT … Some people have indicated that on election day and in the lead-up they would come in from Sydney to help out.''
The party is also planning its official launch in Sydney, with a follow-up launch to be held in the capital.
Outside the Senate race, member for Canberra Gai Brodtmann handed over a $1000 donation to the ACT branch of the Vietnam Veterans Association, while member for Fraser Andrew Leigh continued work on an enrolment drive.
Greens candidate for the seat of Fraser Adam Verwey prepared for a stall to be held on Wednesday afternoon, and will join Greens candidate for the seat of Canberra Julie Melrose to doorknock Belconnen and Tuggeranong at the weekend.