With a resolution to Australia's "wicked problem" due this afternoon, two of the three rural independents whose backing will decide who governs the nation say they still haven't made up their minds.
The trio has scheduled a press conference for 2pm that should finally reveal whether Labor or the Liberal-Nationals will form the next minority government.
Tony Windsor, Bob Katter and Rob Oakeshott will decide if Prime Minister Julia Gillard keeps the top job, or Opposition Leader Tony Abbott takes over the reins.
But this morning Mr Windsor and Mr Oakeshott said they were yet to make a final decision on whether to go with Labor or the Coalition.
Mr Oakeshott said he faced a "wicked problem" and an "unnatural choice" - before declaring both Mr Abbott and Ms Gillard would make "very credible" prime ministers.
He said he both leaders had been impressive in the way they conducted their negotiations, and he was about to assess final offers submitted overnight.
His colleague, Mr Windsor, told reporters this morning he did not know if the other two independents had made up their minds, and that even his wife didn't know his vote.
"We're getting together for a final chat - the three of us," he said.
However, Mr Windsor did reveal there had been "to-ing and fro-ing" amongst the three, and that his focus was avoiding a 75-75 deadlock between Labor and the Coalition.
"If the numbers went one way or another there
s the possibility of another election," he said.
Asked if the independents would tell Ms Gillard and Mr Abbott before revealing their decision, Mr Windsor said he was not sure.
"We might well announce it to the Australian people first," he said.
Earlier, Mr Windsor told ABC Radio the trio were expecting final documents from both sides about 9am this morning.
"Then the three of us will get together and talk it through."
And (we will) hopefully make a final decision for announcement today,
he said.
My guess would be probably early afternoon, but as soon as we can announce it we will.
Mr Windsor said he was leaning one way - but wouldn
t say which.
He said stability of government remained the most important issue.
"Can we put something in place that will last and work for a period of time?
he said.
And obviously that will depend on the three of us talking together. What we all want to avoid, and I think the community as well wants to avoid, is a 75-all draw which would mean another election.
Mr Windsor said once all information was before the independents, they would reach a decision fairly quickly.
I don
t think we have got to have a major debate over it,
he said.
Mr Windsor said the focus on regional Australia was very welcome and both leaders had tried to address the issues they had raised.
That was likely to carry over to the parliament irrespective of who formed government, he said.
In that sense it will or should be a very exciting parliament for regional Australia,
he said.
What we have seen in recent decades is a lot of policy that impacts on country people is formulated with city-based marginal seats political agendas in mind.
"I think we will see a more than subtle change in that for the period of this parliament.
Nationals Senate Leader Barnaby Joyce this morning said he was not overly confident the Coalition would win the August 21 federal election.
"It does not feel as confident as it should," he told ABC Radio.
"You see the issues that are going on, and on, and on, and you get a sense that the momentum is slipping away from us."
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