But both leaders have guaranteed Australians won't have to go back to the polls until after August 2013.
Independents Tony Windsor, Bob Katter and Rob Oakeshott - who met both leaders yesterday - called for a Treasury briefing on the cost of Labor and coalition election policies and the economic outlook.
The call was part of a seven-point roadmap, which also included changes to the running of parliament and elections, and a request for briefings from departmental chiefs, ministers and shadow ministers.
Ms Gillard said she was prepared to consider the release of the costings depending on expert advice, but Mr Abbott told reporters he would only hand over the coalition numbers checked by a private accounting firm.
"It is very difficult for the public service to understand coalition policy with the same depth as government policy," Mr Abbott said.
Ms Gillard said in her written response she was prepared to not only commit to serving her full term, but nominate an election date in late 2013.
"I can guarantee that if an arrangement was struck with us, we would be going full term ... (that) is unequivocal," Ms Gillard told reporters.
Mr Abbott gave a verbal commitment to run full term.
The prime minister promised to give the independents details of how Labor would reform parliament and elections when they returned for further talks next Monday.
Mr Abbott said he would undertake "root and branch parliamentary reform", and keep the current Speaker, Labor's Harry Jenkins, in place.
In a meeting yesterday, Ms Gillard also provided the MPs with details of how Labor's election promises would benefit their electorates, including commitments to build training centres.
The trio has acknowledged that any final agreement could not be reached until the final vote count was known on September 3.
Mr Windsor also warned Ms Gillard and Mr Abbott that voters may have to head back to the polls if a deal can't be struck.
Greens MP Adam Bandt, who is not party to the seven-point plan, has indicated he would back a Labor minority government. The independents are undecided but have stressed they are not a bloc.
Mr Windsor told a National Press Club forum yesterday that parliament should no longer be held hostage to a small number of influential figures in the Labor and coalition parties, and it was time for a power shift to local MPs.
"There's an expectation, and even within the media, that it will be the two dogs barking ... We're trying to establish a pathway that's slightly different to that," he said.
Mr Oakeshott also warned parties against deliberately destabilising government to enable an early poll.
"If anyone plays that game ... that party should not be rewarded," he said.
Mr Windsor said Ms Gillard and Mr Abbott must show a commitment to a new style of politics.
"If there's no goodwill, I won't support either of them," he said, pointing to the prospect of a fresh election.
Despite their united front on the call for stable government, the National Press Club forum highlighted policy differences between the three independents and Mr Bandt.
While Mr Katter dismissed the science of climate change and argued against carbon and mining taxes, the others called for more speedy action on the environment and backed the original Henry tax review model for a resource super profits tax.
The seat count following the election currently stands at 71 for Labour, 72 for the coalition, including the seat of O'Connor held by WA Nationals Tony Crook, one for the Australian Greens and four to the independents, including Andrew Wilkie, who looks likely to have won the Tasmanian seat of Denison.
Two seats remain in doubt. Labor is making gains but remains behind the Liberals in Brisbane and Labour's lead in Corangamite is slipping.
