As poll looms, what are people on the street talking about? Kevin Rudd: Pondering a fresh leadership challenge? Who will lead the Labor Party to the election might be the question consuming federal politicians, but is it the main conversation around the office, over a beer and while watching from the sidelines at children's sporting matches? Keeping your job, making sure schools are properly funded and that a hospital bed is available when you need it remain the issues voters care the most about. And how about issues such as population growth, banning junk food advertising or political donations? Political commentators and experts say work-life balance rates highly as an issue with families, with many questioning whether the government has got the balance right and whether an Abbott government will, if or when it wins power. Resisting calls to stand down: Prime Minister Julia Gillard. The Australia Institute's Richard Denniss said the issue of life balance was claimed as a point of difference by each side, when there has been no great improvement for workers. John Howard said it was a barbecue stopper. No one's even got time for a barbecue any more. Opposition Leader Tony Abbott points to government debt as an alarming issue for voters, but Prime Minister Julia Gillard warned that the economy, and a host of policies Australians want kept, would be under threat if the Coalition was elected. Dr Denniss said it was not only the Labor leadership debate distracting political parties. "Even when they're not talking about leadership they're still not talking about the things that matter to most Australians," he said. So what is Australia talking about? 1 Will I lose my job? Jobs are being created but are Australians doing what they want and working the hours they want? The jobless rate is 5.5 per cent, so for those working long hours how is this affecting work-family balance? 2 Can hospitals look after me if I get sick? Are services in public hospitals improving and are there more or less beds available? Are Medicare locals bringing together GPs and allied health to better case manage their patients with chronic disease? Will the Coalition disband them? 3 How will the Gonski reform change my school? As the states slowly sign on and with the government's deadline looming, how will the Gonski reforms mean better teaching and more resources will be delivered to schools. Or is the initiative too little, too late. 4 Has the government given up on asylum seekers? With Ms Gillard to visit Indonesia, is our immigration policy too tough or too easy on asylum seekers? What would Mr Abbott's plan of towing the boats back achieve? 5 Who wins on fast broadband? Is the government's rollout of the NBN happening fast enough and is it worth the cost? Is the Coalition's alternative plan viable? Will it deliver what Australians are demanding? 6 The climate "The 'carbon tax lie' is more of an issue than the carbon tax itself," JWS Research says. Australians want to know how the carbon price will impact on homes and businesses. How will a move to trading emissions work? And does it even matter if the Coalition ditches the carbon tax? 7 Planes, trains and automobiles Regional and rural locations appear to be getting infrastructure projects funded as a priority, but is this happening at the expense of cities and outer metropolitan areas? And why can't federal and state governments co-operate on the big projects and agree over funding? 8 Will I have enough on which to retire? Will the increase in the superannuation being promised by both sides of politics be enough and will the aged care system cope in 20 years time? Will government policy help people to stay in their homes, and what is the role of government? 9 The size of Australia Will the next generation be a house buying generation or will the dream be out of reach for too many? And Despite all the talk, too many people remain homeless. Low cost housing should be a priority. Is there a considered population growth policy? Does Australia need more people to build the economy or will an influx only lead to wider poverty? 10 Will Australia succumb to the financial crisis? How does the GFC affect the average Australian? Has the government acted responsibly or irresponsibly to it? Today, gross debt is $255.7 billion and is now forecast to peak at $340 billion. Deficits are forecast to 2014-15. Gross debt is $255.7 billion and is the government debt acceptable if it keeps the local economy kicking? Which party is best equipped to steer the economy through the tough times?