Election debate: Kevin Rudd v Tony Abbott – as it happened

Well folks, that was your first election debate.

Thanks so much for joining me this evening on Politics Live. I've enjoyed your company.

Thanks too to the wonderful Mike Bowers, who took us so vividly into the room at the NPC tonight; and to Paul Owen, who provided valuable help in the middle of the deluge.

We don't need a huge summary, because we know what we gathered for this evening: the first televised debate of the 2013 campaign.

Let's wrap tonight:

• The first leader's debate of campaign 2013 covered the economy, taxation, climate change, boat arrivals and same sex marriage.
• Tony Abbott began looking more confident than the Labor leader.
• Rudd got into stride after the first segment.
• The only real news point was a promise by Kevin Rudd to introduce a bill within his first 100 days to legalise same sex marriage.
• I called the encounter a draw. The network "worms" were mixed. Some declared Rudd the victor, others Abbott.
• I really disliked the format. I see from readers comments that I am not alone.
• The Liberals are very unhappy that Rudd used notes in the debate in contravention of the rules. I suspect we will hear more of this over the next 24 hours or so.

If so inclined, you can review the opening statements on this video.

Enjoy the rest of your evening. See you all tomorrow.

Thank you @Murodese for this summary of how the worms turned, variously, on the networks this evening.

On balance the score appears to be for Rudd, absent Network Seven.

Our Guardian Australia worm was strongly pro-Rudd.

It didn't seem to like Tony Abbott.

That verdict is out of step with what I saw: a dead heat.

I'd say that was a dead heat.

There were no stuff ups or stumbles. Neither man shone, although Tony Abbott was more confident than Rudd, particularly during the opening segments.

In truth I thought the format completely mugged the discussion. It was a talking points format, not a dialogue format. And the discussion suffered as a consequence.

Kevin Rudd gives his 'new politics, new way - we are great for families' wrap.

Abbott's closing pitch, in essence: we are not scary - on September 7, vote for a strong united majority government in the parliament.

Australia, Abbott says, is

A nation of lifters, not leaners.

That's a new formulation.

The only new thing in tonight's discussion.

There's a question about marriage equality.

Rudd pledges to introduce legislation to legalise gay marriage in his first 100 days in office.

Recognising same sex relationships is, Rudd says

a mark of decency.

Abbott says he knows same sex marriage is important. He gives a shout out to his sister Christine Foster in the audience.

But he won't commit here to a conscience vote.

Whether or not there is a conscience vote on this issue will be

a matter for a future party room.

Tony Abbott is asked: if circumstances change, will he go above his 5% emissions target?

Abbott says he doesn't generally deal in hypotheticals. He adds that he's always said that if circumstances change, "we'll adjust appropriately". But he says there's no way other countries are embracing a carbon tax.

Kevin Rudd says he believes in climate change – that's why he signed the Kyoto Protocol straight after the 2007 election. He says he's ended the carbon "tax". He says emissions are trending down, and that's good policy at work.

The leaders are asked for their plans for aged care.

Tony Abbott says he'll leave the Labor government's aged care policy in place.

Kevin Rudd suggests Tony Abbott's workplace policy will be bad for aged care nurses.

The ACTU boss Dave Oliver chimes in on that theme on social media.

Tony Abbott says he will make a decision in his first term of government about a second airport for Sydney.

Kevin Rudd says a decision on a second airport for Sydney is best adressed by his infrastructure minister, Anthony Albanese. He says he will consider the policy recommendations when they come.

Rudd suggests people in Sydney need to understand that their airport decision is just one of a number that have to be made around the country.

For the record, Rudd points out he is not from Sydney.

He's from Queensland.

In case that fact was lost on the audience.

Breaking: Labor leader not from Sydney.

That shot from Mike Bowers in the previous post looks a little Lathamesque: slightly like Mark Latham's infamous handshake with John Howard in 2004. You all remember that one?

But we digress, and we can't right now.

There are questions on trust, and on future plans for taxation or spending cuts. The sharp question is: what programs will you cut and what taxes will you increase to get the budget on a more sustainable footing?

Rudd says Labor will always keep an open mind on expenditures in the future but you can't cut to the bone without hurting families.

Abbott says revenues are under pressure, there is no doubt about it. The Liberal leader says his government would reduce taxes and red tape.

He confirms his intention to cut Labor's school kids bonus. Abbott says the payment is unaffordable.

Rudd is put on the spot over his changes to John Howard's harsh deterrent measures for boat arrivals. Does he now admit this was a botch up?

Rudd says he implemented policy during his first term in office in accordance with his democratic mandate. Circumstances changed. So the policy changed. Now everyone goes to Papua New Guinea, Rudd says.

Abbott is asked what is wrong with Rudd's PNG policy.

Abbott says the Coalition will rescue what it can of the PNG solution. But Abbott says the policy isn't what Rudd is telling the voters it is.

The Liberal leader is asked whether boats can be turned back to Indonesia. It is the Coalition's policy to turn boats around when it is safe to do so.

Abbott says the boats can be turned back.

Rudd says they can't in practice, because the boats will be scuttled.

Both the leaders are nervous, but the nerves are on a leash.

The opening of the debate is on the economy.

Rudd speaks of Labor's record protecting jobs.

Abbott is then asked by Speers about when the voters will see his costings.

Abbott:

You will see in good time, before polling day, how much we will spend and save.

Rudd isn't happy with this answer. He contends it's important to be transparent about what you are going to spend and what you are going to save. Rudd speaks about a culture of evasion. What is the Coalition's plan on the GST for example?

Speers asks whether Abbott will increase the GST.

Abbott:

No, no [I] won't.

No change, no change to the GST.

The GST cannot change without the consent of the state and territory leaders.

The people deserve more than a cheap fear campaign by the Labor leader, Abbott adds.

Speers persists. You won't review it then?

Abbott says it won't change.

The best he [Rudd] can do is run this embarrassing scare campaign.

Rudd retorts: if you don't intend to increase the GST, why is it in the tax review?

The Liberal leader opens with his oft-repeated argument that this is an election about the people, not about the two combatants in this debate.

Abbott speaks of the Coalition's positive program – spending on transport and infrastructure gets a big spruik. And Abbott says we'll stop the boats, because no self respecting country can hand over its part of its migration program to the people smugglers.

Abbott:

We are a great country but we can't afford another three years like the last six.

Mr Rudd talks about a new way. If you want a new way you have to choose a new government.

Kevin Rudd has the opening statement.

Australians are positive people, who work together. They don't tear each other apart.

The economy is strong, he says, and this election is about the future strength of the eocnomy and how best to secure it.

Labor has done good things for families: paid parental leave, the end of WorkChoices, DisabilityCare.

We've got to manage a new great economic transition. We need a new way, to take Australia forward, because of the challenges we face.

I can see a great, new future for Australia. Under my prime ministership I offer a new way to secure Australia's future.

Organising election debates requires the ruthlessness of Genghis Khan and the silky diplomacy of Kofi Annan. The ego in this process is off the charts - politicians, their wranglers, journalists, TV networks. It's a nightmare.

Still, we have debate. Rejoice and be glad.

And we have rules.

For tonight - here are the terms of engagement:

1. The debate will open with a three minute opening statement by both leaders.
2. The moderator will ensure both leaders are given equal treatment and time.
3. The moderator will conduct a discussion allowing both leaders to pursue the major issues that will affect the 2013 election campaign.
4. As directed by the moderator, the panellists will ask questions to each leader in turn.
5. Answers to questions will be up to a maximum of two minutes by each and up to a maximum of one minute rebuttal for each.
6. There will be strict time limits on answers.
7. The moderator will immediately intervene to prevent either leader from interrupting the other while speaking.
8. The moderator may direct the executive producer to mute the microphone of the non-speaker to ensure questions are answered without interruption.
9. The debate will finish with the moderator asking a general question to both leaders in order to allow them to sum up for a maximum of three minutes.
10. The leader who makes the first opening statement will be the first to make a closing statement.
11. A coin will be tossed to determine who will make the first opening statement.
12. The leaders will use standing lecterns positioned at opposite sides of the stage.
13. The moderator will use a lecturn.
14. The panel will be seated at a desk.
15. The leaders may have a pen and paper on the lecturn and no other documentation or props.

Just for the record, Labor won the toss so Kevin Rudd will start the batting this evening.