We talk a lot about who wins and who loses debates. But really, the only thing that matters is how many undecided voters changed their minds tonight?
And with that, I leave ye.
Until tomorrow - please join Steph Peatling for The Pulse live blog all day.
This debate has really revitalised the campaign. The best bit is always at the business end, when the pressure starts to bear and the stakes get ever more real.
Prime Minister Kevin Rudd at the leaders' debate at the Broncos Leagues Club in Brisbane. Photo: Alex Ellinghausen
Fairfax's chief political correspondent Mark Kenny,who just so happens to be sitting within yodelling distance of me, believes Rudd won the debate pretty convincingly.
Mark scored the last debate to Abbott.
But this time, Mark believes Rudd nailed Abbott on the costings and cuts critique, and that is the only thing Labor has got.
But you can read Mark Kenny's full and frank analysis in the Sydney Morning Herald, and Age tomorrow, or back here on the website, where it shall find a cybery home.
So when will next our two titans clash?
Wellll, Abbott has challenged Rudd to a duel at the Rooty Hill RSL next Wednesday, where the beer flows freely and the schnitzel is always extremely large.
Rudd has said he is busy, actually, and won't be able to make it.
But given the importance of the marginals in Western Sydney, will he dare say no to the good people of Rooty Hill?
There is only one rule in modern Australian politics. Don't disrespect the Hill.
Julia learned that the hard way.
I had thought that the leaders' answers weren't timed, but I was wrong. Here is a close-up of the discreet bell that trilled when the leader needed to wrap up.
#Traumaticflashbackstohighschooldebatingtournaments
The timer bell at the second leaders' debate at the Broncos Leagues Club in Brisbane. Photo: Alex Ellinghausen
I like to think Julia Gillard and maybe a pal of hers, like Nicola Roxon, were watching tonight's debate in their jarmies on a couch somewhere. Eating popcorn and shouting at the telly.
So apart from the theatrics, what did we learn tonight?
For mine, I thought Abbott was relaxed, calmly punching out another few kilometres in the marathon campaign he is running. He was mostly level-headed, he was mostly good-humoured, and he seemed direct. He seemed to level with people.
But Rudd was more passionate and made his points well on what an Abbott government might do - and it is a scare campaign, whether or not it turns out to be true. He communicated better than he usually does, and he kept his cool when Abbott lost his momentarily.
We are at the campaign equinox, the mid-point of the whole show, and Rudd badly needs momentum to catapult him over the line. Did this give him that? I think it certainly gave him a good push.
It's clear that the Labor strategy is now to firmly target the worries and fears and niggling doubts undecided voters might have about an Abbott-led Coalition government, and exploit them.
Graham Richardson and Michael Kroger are on Sky as we speak, aren't they just the cutest couple?
Richo thinks Rudd did good, and he didn't expect him to do very well (wow, talk about a passive aggressive compliment, Richo, have you been taking notes from my mother? I joke).
Peter van Onselen, who also graces the Sky screen, says Rudd won, but it won't make a jot of difference because the last few years of Labor government have been so shabby.
Kevin's Fringe has weighed in with his analysis:
No @TonyAbbottMHR, this guy never shuts up. Believe me. #pplsforum
— Kevin's Fringe (@KevinsFringe) August 21, 2013
And here is another of Abbott mingling post-debate with the good voters of the Broncosaurium.
Prime Minister Kevin Rudd and Opposition Leader Tony Abbott meet participants after they attended the People's Forum at the Broncos Leagues Club in Brisbane. Photo: Andrew Meares
Here's my boy with the jaunty jumper. He asked about gay marriage.
People's forum with Prime Minister Kevin Rudd and Opposition Leader Tony Abbott at the Broncos Leagues Club in Brisbane. Photo: Alex Ellinghausen
The results of the Bronco Ballot are in!
Who won the debate?
35 to Abbott
33 to Rudd
37 undecided.
Oh people. Make up your minds already.
Here's a pic of Tones mingling post-debate. He stuck around for about 20 minutes before skedaddling. That's not really the right verb for him, is it?
People's forum with Prime Minister Kevin Rudd and Opposition Leader Tony Abbott at the Broncos Leagues Club in Brisbane. Photo: Alex Ellinghausen
Was Chris wearing some sort of subversive Chanel logo on his t-shirt? (see 7.55pm post) I hope so.
And here is a shot from our brilliant photographer of the confrontational moment when the self-confessed schoolyard nerd confronted Abbott, and asked him to tell voters where his cuts are coming from.
It's possible I need to get out more, but it was quite electric, no?
Abbott, who has been so disciplined for so long, seemed to get a little riled up at this point. Not long after he made the quip about Rudd's loquacity. Which, to be fair, no one sane can really deny.
People's forum with Prime Minister Kevin Rudd and Opposition Leader Tony Abbott at the Broncos Leagues Club in Brisbane. Photo: Alex Ellinghausen
Here is a picture of Chris, who was concerned about WorkChoices and wore his sunnies atop his head. I love our country, I really do. Chris was one of my favourites.
The votes of the Bronco Ballot are being counted as the punters file out of the Broncosaurium. Soon we will know their verdict.
ELECTION 2013: People's forum with Prime Minister Kevin Rudd and Opposition Leader Tony Abbott at the Broncos Leagues Club in Brisbane, Queensland on Wednesday 21 August 2013. Photo: Alex Ellinghausen
The pundits on the television say it was a great encounter. Dennis Atkins of the Courier Mail says it was electric!
Certainly it was a lot more entertaining than the last debate at the National Press Club, which would have put a crack addict to sleep. The combination of a skeptical public, a relaxed setting in which neither leader feels particularly at home, and the ability to actually engage eachother, worked to create good TV.
Here is the Rudd clan watching their man - Therese Rein and Marcus Rudd.
Therese Rein and Nicholas Rudd watch Prime Minister Kevin Rudd and Opposition Leader Tony Abbott attended the People's Forum at the Broncos Leagues Club in Brisbane on Wednesday 21 August 2013. Election 2013. Photo: Andrew Meares
There is some discussion on the telly-box now of whether or not Abbott was right to ask whether Rudd ever shuts up.
Graham Richardson believes it was rude (and he is a paragon of good etiquette, after all).
Jessica Irvine, journalist who is on the Sky panel, says it was probably the best career advice Rudd ever had.
Does this guy ever shut up?
Prime Minister Kevin Rudd and Opposition Leader Tony Abbott attended the People's Forum at the Broncos Leagues Club in Brisbane on Wednesday 21 August 2013. Election 2013. Photo: Andrew Meares
And now for some pictures.
Here is Gabrielle the hipster of the green scarf.
ELECTION 2013: People's forum with Prime Minister Kevin Rudd and Opposition Leader Tony Abbott at the Broncos Leagues Club in Brisbane, Queensland on Wednesday 21 August 2013. Photo: Alex Ellinghausen
Closing statements ...how exciting.
Rudd talks about QLD Premier Campbell Newman's government. They sacked health workers, they slashed and burned health and hospital budgets, not to mention schools.
He scare-mongers about cuts to health jobs and education under a Coalition govt.
He challenges Abbott to tell the voters where his $70B cuts will come from (Abbott disputes this figure of course). Abbott will cut the Schoolkids bonus, etc.
But Rudd doesn't think it's right not to show costings to the electorate until just before the election.
The Coalition's PPL scheme is unaffordable and just unfair.
How do we build for the future, as opposed to cut for the future?
Onto Abbott now....
"We've had a much better and more lively debate than the one we had in Canberra," he says.
"People one, journos nil", he says.
(How very hurtful for us reptiles of the press)
Abbott says it is all about doing things, not talking prettily about them. "If you had your chance and it didn't happen, why should you be given yet another chance?"
He says he has been upfront about his plans - 12,000 fewer public sector jobs (by natural attrition), cutting the carbon and mining taxes.
He wants to lead a competent and trustworthy government. He used to be a senior member of a competent and trustworthy government.
Oooh - change in tone. The thing that has disappointed me, he says sadly, is that all Rudd has had to say tonight is "a scare".
Tony is going to mingle for as long as he can for people who would have liked to ask a question.
And so it is finished.The fellaz shake hands.
Hang out for the wash-up. Most importantly: WHO WON?
A gentleman with a jumper nattily thrown across his shoulders takes the floor.
"I like you both!" he tells the leaders.
Isn't that kind.
He asks about gay marriage. If over time, community attitudes toward gay marriage soften, what will be your parties' responses?
Abbott says over time political parties reflect the will of the people - eventually if people want something badly enough, it will be reflected in parliament. "I take a conservative position on it...I think we should not lightly change something that has been this way since time immemorial".
But he recognises that he cannot impose his will on society for all time. He says he has lots of arguments inside his own family on this. But his position is clear and consistent, and always will be (passive aggressive jab at Rudd.
Rudd says he respects Abbott's views. His view is to properly reflect the right to dignity of all people.
Sadly, the Coalition won't allow a conscience vote on this issue, so it has little chance of passing. The audience applauds - they love the gays (don't we all).
Abbott says we will restore the Australian Building and Construction Commission.
Rudd says that the main thing you can do to stimulate the housing market is to have low interest rates. And it just so happens we have done that (well the Reserve Bank has, but nobody likes a pedant).
He also says that in government Labor has appointed a Housing Minister and created extra social housing.
Chris the Builder is up next. This audience is stacked with Chrises and Garries! How suspicious.
He is in a high-vis vest - Abbott is totally jelly, you can tell.
He asks about tax on construction costs. How can the parties revitalise the home building industry?
A silver fox in an open-necked shirt asks a question about 457 visas - do you have any serious policies to stop these people taking Australian jobs?
Rudd says, well a matter of fact we do!
Abbott says we should not demonise skilled migration. He does not accept there is a problem with rorting in this area. We want to be lifters not leaners.
Abbott is making a pitch as an environmentalist! He liked to bushwalk as a youth! What an interesting factlet.
He says Direct Action will address harmful greenhouse gases, and also the Coalition's Green Army will look after discrete mini-environments around the land. (Will the Army be staffed by elves? This has not yet been answered)
Rudd says his credentials in this area are pretty ace - we ratified Kyoto! We created a mandatory green energy target! We priced carbon! (Well he says "you can't walk away from a price on carbon - don't mention the T word.)
Abbott says, hang on, Ruddster, in 2009 you walked away from pricing carbon as Prime Minister!
Rudd says well, hang on a minute misssster, you voted against it.
Oh I like it when they fight.
Cass, a landscape architect in yet another ravishing scarf asks about environmental issues. She wants to know how the parties will address the Barrier Reef's degradation?
Where are they sourcing these hippies from? I joke, I joke.
An earnest young folkster in black asks a question about asylum seekers. How will Australian continue to be a good international citizen in this regard?
Rudd talks about "folks in boats". Emphasises toughness of asylum seeker policy, which is at strange odds with the folksiness of calling the folks in boats folks in boats.
He does make the point that Labor has upped the humanitarian intake, fair enough too.
Abbott says that his govt would not withdraw from the refugee convention.
But the harshest thing, he says, is to have people drowning at sea. He says there have been almost 3000 illegal arrivals by boat since the PNG solution was announced.
Abbott is making the point that the policy "was not a bad idea" but that this government couldn't organise a chook raffle (I paraphrase), so how can we trust them to implement said policy?
Chris, a muscular man with sunnies on his head who reminds one rather of one's Queensland cousins, asks Abbott "what is your version of WorkChoices gonna be called?"
Abbott says Workchoices "to use the famous phrase" (THAT HE MADE UP, YOU CAN'T REFER TO YOUR OWN FAMOUS PHRASE TONY!) is "dead, buried and cremated".
Does Rudd accept that? Speers asks.
Rudd doesn't, it seems. He refers to the shadow industrialminister Eric Abetz refusing to rule out whether a Coaltion govt would touch penalty rates and over-time provision.
Abbott says we will not touch these things! He promises, and outlines the IR changes they will make.
Back to G2's question about the tax on banking deposits.
Rudd says it has to do with the GFC and the banking guarantee the government gave the banks back then.
Abbott says you can no longer rely on the GFC as an excuse.
ELECTION 2013: People's forum with Prime Minister Kevin Rudd and Opposition Leader Tony Abbott at the Broncos Leagues Club in Brisbane, Queensland on Wednesday 21 August 2013. Photo: Alex Ellinghausen
Here is a sweet behind-the-scenes moment - the two press secretaries of the leader, Eamonn Fitzpatrick for Rudd and Andrew Hirst for Abbott, get together and hug it out, before the debate.
Opposing Press Secretaries Eamonn Fitzpatrick L for Prime Minister Kevin Rudd and Andrew Hirst R for Opposition Leader Tony Abbott attended the People's Forum at the Broncos Leagues Club in Brisbane on Wednesday 21 August 2013. Election 2013. Photo: Andrew Meares
Someone who is actually called Garry asks a question! What are the chances? It's my lucky day.
Garry 2 asks about the Labor government tax on bank deposits.
Okay that last picture in no way related to the post or caption. I apologise and beg forgiveness.
Some cat in a blue shirt - I'm going to call him Garry even though that is in no way his name - has asked a thoughtful question about selecting better candidates for both parties, given the manner of muppets that sometimes run for office. Good question Gaz.
Here is a Mearesy pic of the audience just before the cage fight began
ELECTION 2013: Supporters outside ahead of the People's forum with Prime Minister Kevin Rudd and Opposition Leader Tony Abbott at the Broncos Leagues Club in Brisbane, Queensland on Wednesday 21 August 2013. Photo: Alex Ellinghausen
Abbott says the PPL is a good social reform (I paraphrase) and it is what wimmin deserve (I adopted the feministical spelling of women in honour of nouveau-feminist Mr Abbott).
Rudd, in response, asks the women in the audience if they are earning $150K? Bold attempt at audience participation!That shiz can backfire.
Anyway, he says the Coalition's PPL scheme is inequitable and unaffordable. He says in no way can you equate it to other entitlements like the aged pension. He also asks how the scheme can possibly be covered by the 1.5 per cent business levy?
Abbott says the business levy will cover about half the cost of the scheme, but the whole thing is costed.
Rudd: where does that other half come from?
Abbott - it will use the money we save from scrapping the existing PPL scheme and other things, eg changes to family tax benefits.
Rudd interrupts and then ... Abbott says.
"Does this guy ever shut up?!"
Wowsers. That is hurtful, Tony. Oh yes this is better than cage fighting.
Louise the Student speaks next. She is resplendent in white.
What's with this kerazy paid parental leave scheme, she asks (I paraphrase). The majority of Australians will never receive an annual salary of $75K, let alone that much cash for 6 months (which is the amount the Coalition's scheme caps out at)!
Wassup with that?
Gabrielle, who sports a lovely green scarf, asks about handouts to business, which are bad, she says. Which party is committed to cutting the corporate welfare?
I like her hipster vibe.
Rudd says we should provide some assistance to certain industries in which the country has a strategic interest. Guess where he's going with this? Uh-huh. The auto-manufacturing industry and the industry assistance the Labor government has given it.
Bang.
Abbott says she agrees with Gabi the Hipster. Business must be profitable! Here in Oz we have always made an exception for a few key industries, including the car industry. Abbott will reduce the auto-motive scheme back to the original quantum of money, he doesn't think the extra $500 million the Labor govt has tipped in is justified.
Also, let's get rid of the carbon tax and put together an exports plan.
Abbott says Rudd is telling "fibs" about the cuts he says Abbott made to the health budget.
He wants to put a question to K Rudd - he asks how he justifies the cut of $1.5B his government included in MYEFO (to the health budget he means, I think, although he didn't specify)
Rudd fires back - wow! It's a ding-dang smack down on healthcare cuts. This is what we paid to see!
Mr Abbott says: "Let's not say that I am somehow Mr Cut Cut Cut, because I want to be Mr Build Build Build so we can have Jobs Jobs Jobs"
Are we playing the Hokey Pokey or having a debate here?
But....there will be some trims to the budget.
Rudd is allowed to respond - he brings up the oft-repeated allegation that Abbott cut funds from the health budget when he was Health Minister (Abbott denies this BTW)
He faces Abbott and says "Where are you gonna cut? ... People have a right to know!"
Wow. Confrontash!
Now onto the questions. How lovely.
A young woman who works in human services asks a question of the Opposition leader. Can you address recent reports that you will cut public services and jobs?
Now to Abbott's opening remarks - yes, we do agree on some things, he says. That this election is about the future.
But the best indicator of the future is the past.
Labor has brought us high net debt, we have a $30B deficit. The cost of living is high.
Abbott will fix those things - and also stop the boats!
"The biggest deficit we have now is the trust deficit because this government has left too many people down too often".
Rudd has made his opening statement.
Rudd says elections are about choices but Abbott and I agree on some things - like, that Straya it is a great country.
BUT
Tonight we must have some straight talking about where the two of us want to take the country! Rudd says he is "in the building business". Not literally - he wants to make sure we have jobs (shout out to some cats in the audience here), a first class education system, a world-class health system. Reference to kiddies getting sick int the night, nice.
Now he's onto the National Broadband Network for everyone - city mice and country mice (my words, not his). It will unleash economic opportunities, he says.
We also want a clean energy future
We have no detail at all about Abbott's cuts. "I think at this stage everyone has got a right to know".
"My plans are clear, it's up to Mr Abbott to explain his."
The leader have entered the Broncosaurium and have shaken hands. They are clutching microphones like Karaoke crooners. Rudd looks very relaxed, Abbott a little more stiff.
And we're off.
What's more, the undecided voter-audience get to decide who they think has won.
ABC reporter Lexi Metherell has tweeted a picture of the Bronco Ballot Boxes here:
#debate boxes pic.twitter.com/JQ66eiTCn7
— Lexi Metherell (@LexiMetherell) August 21, 2013
So just so we're across the rules - each leader gets an opening and closing statement of three minutes. Rudd goes first because he won the coin toss. Then the floor is thrown open to the people - they are all undecided voters corralled by Galaxy (the pollsters) and the leaders are not told of their questions in advance.
The leaders are allowed to address eachother and debate eachother. Speers will make sure each gets a say, but their answers will not be timed like the last debate at the National Press Club.
It's as exciting as a cage fight! I wish I had a plastic cup of beer.
I love the fact that he leveraged his traffic jam into a political point. Guy never stops working.
The auditorium of the Broncos Leagues Club - let's call it the Broncosaurium - is full up with people, and Sky New Political Editor David Speers - our debate host - is reading the punters the rules.
And softening them up with a little bit of that Speers style.
Oh no!
K Rudd is stuck in traffic!
This is some high-stakes Cinderella stuff. Is he trying to create suspense? It's working!
in traffic on way to the second debate. It is time for Brisbane to build the Cross River Rail. KRudd
— Kevin Rudd (@KRuddMP) August 21, 2013
These protestors appear to be pro-asylum seeker people.
Seeing as the two parties have essentially have the same line on that front these days, it doesn't really matter whether they are protesting against Labor or Coalition policy.
ELECTION 2013: Supporters outside ahead of the People's forum with Prime Minister Kevin Rudd and Opposition Leader Tony Abbott at the Broncos Leagues Club in Brisbane, Queensland on Wednesday 21 August 2013. Photo: Alex Ellinghausen
There are various protestor tribes hanging out outside the Broncos Leagues Club. These cats are volunteers for Teresa Gambaro, the LNP Member for Brisbane. They are pictured in front of a large ad which seems to be expressing concern that Abbott will re-introduce a form of WorkChoices if he is made PM.
He has said he would like to return the industrial relations pendulum to "the sensible centre".
ELECTION 2013: Supporters outside ahead of the People's forum with Prime Minister Kevin Rudd and Opposition Leader Tony Abbott at the Broncos Leagues Club in Brisbane, Queensland on Wednesday 21 August 2013. Photo: Alex Ellinghausen
Here a curious beagle assesses Rudd's chances of winning. His guess would be as good as anyone's.
Supporters outside the People's forum with Prime Minister Kevin Rudd and Opposition Leader Tony Abbott.
Our indefatigible photographer Andrew Meares has begin sending us pics from the Broncos Leagues Club. Here are hosts Kieran Gilbert and David Speers gas-baggin' afore the debate.
Kieran Gilbert L and David Speers R of Sky News with host Prime Minister Kevin Rudd and Opposition Leader Tony Abbott at the People's Forum at the Broncos Leagues Club in Brisbane on Wednesday 21 August 2013. Election 2013. Photo: Andrew Meares Photo: Andrew Meares
One K Rudd has won the toss and will begin the debate. I am not sure what psychological advantage this might confer on the Ruddster, or the K-Man, or the Kev-Meister-general (sorry, Rudd's folksy nicknaming habit is contagious, clearly).
We shall soon see.
The voters have started filing into the auditorium, looking every bit as real as they are alleged to be.
There is a small part of me that hopes one of them has a few too many shandies and decides to tell these two ponces from Canberra what he really thinks of them.
That would be the proper Queensland response to this situation, I feel.
As previously explained by Ms Peatling, I shall be your blog-host for this evening. I now find myself in a similar position to the noble Sky News journalist Kieran Gilbert, who is on telly for the next hour or so filling in time until the debate, which starts at 6.30.
A few observations:
-One K Rudd is lagging in the polls and the media coverage he is getting is less than ideal. He needs to win this evening a lot more than Opposition leader Tony Abbott does.
-Abbott needs to project a Prime Ministerial vibe but at the same time avoid hubris.
-Both leaders will have to adopt a much more informal style than in the previous debate (thank the gods), because they are interacting with regular (undecided) voters here, as opposed to the vultures from the press, who they can treat with a measure of contempt if they like.
I'd be interested to know what you think will be the strategies of the two leaders tonight.
Hello everyone! It's Jacqueline here.
My colleague Daniel Hurst has written this story about the resignation of Leslie Cannold from the Wikileaks party. It sounds like it was a messy break-up.
Okay people - that's it from me.
But never fear, stay tuned for coverage of the tonight's community forum with Labor leader Kevin Rudd and Coalition leader Tony Abbott. It will be brought to you by Jacqueline Maley.
I'll see you in the morning. Thanks for the astonishing number of comments today! Half way through now.
A few people have asked what my plans are for the community forum tonight (in a blogging sense).
Andrew Meares and Alex Ellinghausen are on deck but I'll be handing over to Jacqueline Maley in a little while. She will do a fine job. I'll let you know when the baton change occurs.
Prime Minister Kevin Rudd at Metro North Medicare Local in Brisbane on Wednesday. Photo: Andrew Meares
Leslie Cannold, the second Victorian candidate for the Wikileaks Party, has just announced her resignation from the role and says her "understanding is that others will also resign today".
"To keep being a candidate feels like I'm breaking faith with the Australian people and those in the media who assist me to communicate with the public," Dr Cannold has said in a statement.
"This is because by being in this role I am implicitly making a statement that The Wikileaks Party is what it claims to be - a democratically run party that both believes in transparency and accountability and operates in this way."
Dr Cannold says she and others have been "struggling to make this true" in terms of the party's internal procedures.
Dr Cannold says the party's internal machinations and processes lead her to the conclusion that the party does not deserve to receive people's votes.
Earlier today Fairfax Media hosted a Google Hangout with Clive Palmer, the leader of Palmer United Party.
Tomorrow, Mr Palmer has promised to hold a press conference which he has called "Slipper, Hockey, Brough, Palmer 'Affair' - The Truth".
I can't wait.
(I know - I've already broken my rule about not quoting from press release teasers with a good 'un from Bob Katter last week but sometimes the material is just too good.)
What's wrong with the youth of today? No respect for tradition or their elders.
Students at Coalition leader Tony Abbott's alma mater - the very posh Catholic finishing school for boys Saint Ignatius' College, Riverview (which is in Sydney) - are worried that Mr Abbott and other political alumni have forsaken the Jesuit values that underpinned their education.
450 boys have signed and couriered a letter to old boys appealing them to work for "a more moral and a more just Australia".
The letter has gone to the electorate offices of Mr Abbott and his fellow Jesuit schooled National Party candidate Barnaby Joyce, Coalition frontbenchers Joe Hockey and Christopher Pyne and Labor minister Bill Shorten.
This is the PERFECT thing for this time of the afternoon.
Whack a pollie, courtesy of our techical wizards, can be found here.
Could that be? Yes, it is! Ladies and gentleman, the first campaign sighting of Coalition frontbencher Bronwyn Bishop (she's on the right of this shot and Philip Ruddock is at the top of the frame). The gang's all here.
Opposition leader Tony Abbott at the Pine Rivers Memorial Bowls Club in Bray Park, Queensland on Wednesday. Photo: Alex Ellinghausen
Everyone is equal on the green.
Opposition leader Tony Abbott puts his shoes back on after bowling at the Pine Rivers Memorial Bowls Club in Bray Park, Queensland on Wednesday. Photo: Alex Ellinghausen
But he scores! (Or whatever the correct bowls term is.)
Opposition leader Tony Abbott bowls with Cynthia Shields during his visit to the Pine Rivers Memorial Bowls Club in Bray Park, Queensland on Wednesday. Photo: Alex Ellinghausen
It's an unexpectedly tense moment.
Opposition Leader Tony Abbott bowls with Cynthia Shields during his visit to the Pine Rivers Memorial Bowls Club in Bray Park, Queensland on Wednesday. Photo: Alex Ellinghausen
Coalition leader Tony Abbott is renowned for his commitment to fitness.
Here he works off a bit of pre community forum stress with a spot of lawn bowls.
Opposition leader Tony Abbott bowls with Cynthia Shields during his visit to the Pine Rivers Memorial Bowls Club in Bray Park, Queensland on Wednesday. Photo: Alex Ellinghausen
Congratulations to Bernard Wright, the Clerk of the House of Representatives, who has announced he will retire in December.
Mr Wright joined the staff of the House of Representatives in 1972 and became Clerk of the House (ie the main one) in 2009.
"On behalf of all Members past and present I would like to thank Mr Wright for his dedicated service to the House of Representatives," Speaker Anne Burke said in a statement.
"I would also like to thank him for the support he has provided me as Speaker and wish him well in his retirement."
Hear, hear.
And yet more on paid parental leave.
Coalition leader Tony Abbott has confirmed that his "signature" scheme will see some shareholders lose money under the 1.5 per cent levy on business that would be imposed to partly fund the policy.
Naturally Labor has pounced on the news saying it represents a "giant raid" on investors and, yet again, calling on the Coalition to come clean about where funding cuts would come from.
Breaking news reporter Judith Ireland has more.
And another couple of candidate related matters.
The Liberal candidate with a website featuring racist and sexist comments has quit. Reporter Daniel Hurst has the story on Kevin Baker who was, until yesterday, the Coalition's candidate for the NSW Central Coast seat of Charlton. The timing of Mr Baker's resignation comes after the close of candidate nominations last week which means his name will still appear on the ballot paper.
Veteran minor party watchers may be familiar with the Rise Up Australia Party and its leader Danny Nalliah.
Mr Nalliah is a Senate candidate in Victoria and has been previously caught out for anti Islam comments. This has not stopped the Liberal Party preferencing him ahead of Labor and the Greens, as The Age's state political reporter, Richard Willingham, reports.
Just as well Mr Rudd avoided the cake and went for the fruit earlier on (see 10.42am post).
Prime Minister Kevin Rudd visits a family home in Burpengary on the Sunshine Coast for a backyard BBQ on Wednesday. Photo: Andrew Meares
Is it just me or has Mr Rudd adopted Coalition leader Tony Abbott's sausage sans bread approach to barbecue campaigning?
Prime Minister Kevin Rudd visits a family home in Burpengary on the Sunshine Coast for a backyard BBQ on Wednesday. Photo: Andrew Meares
Mr Rudd attends backyard barbecue in the town of Burpengary on the Sunshine Coast in Queensland.
Prime Minister Kevin Rudd visits a family home in Burpengary on the Sunshine Coast for a backyard BBQ on Wednesday. Photo: Andrew Meares
Time to do my usual "these are the things I should have drawn your attention to earlier" routine.
Today's instalment contains a couple of stories relating to asylum seekers.
The first story is by breaking news reporter Judith Ireland who has filed this story on the first group of people to be sent to Nauru for processing since Labor announced its new resettlement approach. The Department of Immigration has confirmed that 14 adults and 12 children arrived on the island this morning. It also contains an update on the boat that capsized north of Christmas Island yesterday.
The second relates comments made by Immigration Minister Tony Burke in which he defended Labor's new policy.
Eek.
At 12.51pm I made Warren Truss the Coalition's trade spokesman. Which he is no longer, of course. That portfolio is held by Julie Bishop.
Apologies all round. I'm blaming it on campaign brain.
A couple of lengthier offerings for your consideration as we head into lunchtime.
The Sydney Morning Herald's economics editor, Ross Gittins, ponders a question that has occurred to many of us during this campaign - not who will win but why campaigns have become so vacuous. You can read his thoughts here.
The Age's Jonathan Holmes has looked at the role of fact checking in the campaign. This is the first time various media units have set up fact checking outfits and they are proving popular with voters. But have they changed anything when it comes to politicians getting away with telling lies?
Mr Abbott has concluded his press conference.
Mr Abbott is now taking questions and has changed his tune on the make-up of his ministry should be become prime minister.
(Previously Mr Abbott promised the people in portfolios in opposition would have those jobs in government. Continuity was a big theme for him.)
But now Mr Abbott has changed his tune in response to a question about who the minister for trade would be.
"I'm not talking about who's doing post election jobs because that would tempt fate," Mr Abbott says.
(Hmmm - not exactly a ringing endorsement of National Party leader Warren Truss keeping the trade portfolio.)
"People in my team can expect to do more or less the same thing," Mr Abbott says.
But the only person who he says will definitely keep their current job title is foreign affairs spokeswoman, Julie Bishop.
Ms Bishop will be a "magnificent minister for foreign affairs", Mr Abbott says, possibly "Australia's best ever".
The Coalition's manufacturing policy document promises to "unleash the economic potential of Australia's manufacturing industries by removing the shackles that are holding the sector back".
The new measures are:
- appointing a Minister for Trade and Investment whose "central responsibility will be to attract trade and increase inwards investment into Australia";
- $50 million for export development grants;
- a $50 million manufacturing fund to help communities and industries move into new areas; and
- government/industry action plans for each industry.
Opposition leader Tony Abbott meets workers during his visit to the Volvo plant in Wacol, Queensland, on Wednesday. Photo: Alex Ellinghausen
Mr Abbott says a Coalition government would maintain a strong program of assistance for the car industry but would not "charge down the street waving a blank cheque".
"You just don't do that," Mr Abbott says.
If Holden and Ford feel they need more help they should come to him after the election and speak with him about it.
Opposition leader Tony Abbott meets a woman who was working her last day at the Volvo plant in Wacol, Queensland, on Wednesday. Photo: Alex Ellinghausen
We're back with Coalition leader Tony Abbott and the announcement of the manufacturing policy.
(Treasury spokesman Joe Hockey and industry spokeswoman Sophie Mirabella are also on hand.)
"We can make sophisticated things in this country without a government subsidy," Mr Abbott says.
"You do not need to write blank cheques to business in order to have a strong manufacturing sector."
Opposition leader Tony Abbott meets workers during his visit to the Volvo plant in Wacol, Queensland, on Wednesday. Photo: Alex Ellinghausen
Given the emphasis on the cost of the Coalition's paid parental leave scheme today's Fact Checker segment is timely.
Economics correspondent Peter Martin looks at the claim made by treasury spokesman Joe Hockey on Monday that it would be "fully funded by abolishing the existing scheme and, importantly, by imposing the 1.5 per cent levy on the largest businesses".
Read Peter's assessment of the claim here.
Or you could watch Peter explain his findings in this video.
Costing paid parental leave
Tony Abbott's paid parental leave scheme will cost $5.5 billion a year, but does the coalition's claims that it is fully funded stack up?
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Mr Abbott's manufacturing announcement is yet to come. He has popped back into the factory for some more truck talk.
You can feel the power.
Opposition leader Tony Abbott tours the Volvo plant in Wacol, Queensland, on Wednesday. Photo: Alex Ellinghausen
Coalition leader Tony Abbott is addressing the Volvo factory in Brisbane where he is about to announce his manufacturing policy.
But first he is mentioning - again - that he recently got his truck licence.
"It's a very, very good truck to drive," Mr Abbott says of the Volvo truck.
"Even I could do it. If I could do it you put a great product on the road."
Just in time for our Google Hangout with Clive Palmer which can you find here.
Mr Rudd has finished his press conference.
He is now headed for a barbecue in Burpengary on the Sunshine Coast (I really just wanted to type that name).
Anna D'Ath, Labor poll booth worker and mother in law to local member Yvette D'Ath, in North Lakes, Brisbane on Wednesday. Photo: Andrew Meares
Mr Rudd says he is preparing for this evening's community forum by talking to "real people".
Mr Rudd is asked about the first group of people who have been sent to Nauru under Labor's new resettlement program.
"I challenge anybody to come up with an effective policy," Mr Rudd says.
Bianca Hall, our person with Team Rudd, has been trying to clarify exactly where people sent to Papua New Guinea for processing will be resettled. She is having another go.
"The regional resettle arrangement is very clear," Mr Rudd says. "The baseline for us is that they will not be resettled in Australia."
Mr Rudd says they will be resettled in PNG or another signatory country.
Mr Rudd refers to the Coalition's campaign spokesman, Mathias Cormann.
Mr Rudd pronounces Senator Cormann's first name "MaTHias".
Prime Minister Kevin Rudd kisses Anna D'Ath, Labor poll booth worker and mother in law to local member Yvette D'Ath, in North Lakes, Brisbane on Wednesday. Photo: Andrew Meares
"It's time to do a bit of maths on this," Mr Rudd says of the cost of the Coalition's paid parental leave scheme.
"What gets cut in order to meet [the cost]? I think this is a pretty important question for Australians because right now those details are being kept from them."
And Mr Rudd is back to "cuts" and "cutting".
(That line must be really cutting through, ahem, given how much Labor people use it. Other than the education funding changes and the national disability insurance scheme it is an enduring legacy of Julia Gillard's prime ministership.)
Prime Minister Kevin Rudd kisses Anna D'Ath, Labor poll booth worker and mother in law to local member Yvette D'Ath, in North Lakes, Brisbane on Wednesday. Photo: Andrew Meares
"It's part and parcel of what it means to be Australian," Mr Rudd says, to have access to good health care services.
"We're in the building business in this government and we're proud of it and this is part of the house for the nation."
Kevin Rudd's press conference at a Medicare Local office in Brisbane has just begun.
Mr Rudd is announcing - "here in Bris" - an extra $15 million for cancer care nurses.
Don't forget the pillow.
Prime Minister Kevin Rudd's lumbar support pillow is retreived by a staff member as he visited Medicare Local in Brisbane on Wednesday. Photo: Andrew Meares
That Clive, such a funster.
If you'd like to ask Mr Palmer a question about his hair, the Titanic or even some policies of his party you can do so in just under an hour's time (12pm) in the latest of our Google Hangout series.
The link is here and you can start asking questions via twitter using #palmerhangout.
Clive! What a campaign pitch:
My hair is not as silky as Rudd’s and my body not as toned as Abbott’s but I offer common sense and real business experience #ausvotes
— Clive Palmer (@CliveFPalmer) August 21, 2013
Time for a quick cuppa with at least 20 or so onlookers before the press conference.
Prime Minister Kevin Rudd visits Medicare Local in Brisbane on Wednesday. Photo: Andrew Meares
Mr Rudd is visiting a Medicare Local office where, naturally, a morning tea was provided.
He passed up the cake in favour of fruit, in case you're interested.
Prime Minister Kevin Rudd visits Medicare Local in Brisbane on Wednesday. Photo: Andrew Meares
Mr Abbott has finished his visit to the Broncos.
Coalition strategists are patting themselves on the back saying it is the equivalent of Labor leader Kevin Rudd "going to Manly Beach and having a swim".
Incidentally, the Broncos' coach, Anthony Griffin, is a former member of the Young Liberals, according to a Coalition staffer.
Mr Abbott is asked about the costing of the paid parental leave scheme.
Mr Abbott says "every social advance has attracted criticism".
Mr Newman says he is an enthusiastic supporter of Mr Abbott's proposal and says there will be "no net cost" to his government because of it.
Queensland public servants will be able to opt for either the new scheme or the existing state version, Mr Newman says.
Opposition leader Tony Abbott meets with representatives from the Broncos Leagues Club in Brisbane on Wednesday. Photo: Alex Ellinghausen
Mr Abbott has promised a Coalition government would kick in $5 million towards a $21-million redevelopment of the area (including an upgrade and expansion of the Broncos' facilities).
Mr Abbott says it is a "perfectly reasonably social investment . . . I'm not sure we're favouring any individual code or sport".
Someone points out to Mr Abbott that he is wearing a blue tie on maroon turf.
"I've developed a bit of a blue tie habit, I guess, and I'm not going to change that habit soon," Mr Abbott says.
"I've got to be a bit careful about upsetting my own rugby league club - the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles."
Premier Newman offers to get him a Broncos tie.
Nice try, Mr Abbott says.
Opposition leader Tony Abbott meets with Queensland Premier Campbell Newman at the Broncos Leagues Club in Brisbane on Wednesday. Photo: Alex Ellinghausen
Coalition leader Tony Abbott is making an early bid to claim the Broncos club as his turf. He is touring the facility with Queensland Premier Campbell Newman and the local Liberal National Party member Teresa Gambaro.
Mr Abbott is meeting the team's players and making lots of football/political gags along the way.
"I've never been very much good at the spin," Mr Abbott laughs.
(Incidentally - what is it with the NRL and the Coalition? Last week the Penrith Panthers were happy to be used as a Coalition campaign prop; today it's the Broncos.)
Opposition leader Tony Abbott meets with Queensland Premier Campbell Newman at the Broncos Leagues Club in Brisbane on Wednesday. Photo: Alex Ellinghausen
More on the community forum/debate that's happening tonight at the Broncos Leagues Club in Brisbane.
Unlike the debate that was held at the National Press Club in Canberra 10 days ago this encounter is supposed to give voters the chance to ask the leaders' questions (instead of journalists). Mr Rudd and Mr Abbott will also be able to ask questions of each other and address each other directly.
Jacqueline Maley has written this piece about the format of the forum.
How are you feeling about the campaign this far? Who do you think will win? Have your say in our readers' poll which you can find here.
There is, unfortunately, no category for you to tick if you are feeling like cartoonist Michael Leunig.
Both Labor leader Kevin Rudd and Coalition leader Tony Abbott are in Brisbane today where they each have a couple of events this morning before bunkering down ahead of tonight's community forum (the thing that's supposed to be like a debate).
Mr Rudd is due to make a health announcement at about 10am following by something billed as a "family campaign event".
Mr Abbott has just arrived in Brisbane from Melbourne.
Good morning. It's the halfway mark of the campaign! All downhill from here. Can we make it? Yes we can.
It's a pleasure to be back with you as Andrew Meares, Alex Ellinghausen and I take you through all the day's events.
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