Federal Election 2013 Debate: Kevin Rudd has Cheat Sheets During Debate; Coalition Says Tony Abbott Wins Debate
In the wake of the first electoral debate between bottleneck rivals Kevin Rudd and Tony Abbott, Mr Rudd is under fire for cheating, while experts sided with Tony Abbott.
Political experts were taking the side of the Coalition as they analyse that, indeed, Mr Rudd didn't play fair in the very first electoral debate held between him and Mr Abbott.
The rules from the National Press Club, signed by both debaters were crystal clear, "the leaders may have a pen and paper on the lectern and no other documentation or props". However, during the actual debate, footages from media revealed he had a pile of papers which he glanced at page after page, repeatedly, while debating.
At first, the Coalition accused debate facilitator and Sky News political editor David Speers of negligence for failing to enforce the rule on Mr Rudd. However, after the debate and when footages were reviewed, Mr Speers agreed that, indeed, Mr Rudd deliberately used cheat sheets and it's definitely against the rule. Mr Speers explained that he was too involved with his responsibility as a moderator, throwing questions at the debaters that he failed to notice Mr Rudd's actuations during the debate. News Limited reported that Mr Speers apologised for missing out on Mr Rudd's cheating.
In an interview with Gold 104 FM radio, Mr Abbot admitted that he noticed Mr Rudd's odd behaviour during their debate and he affirmed receiving instructions not to bring any notes.
"I was interested to see that Mr Rudd turned up with a big wad of papers and he did seem to be reading his opening and his closing statements. It did strike me as a little odd, given that they were the rules, that he brought all those papers in,'' Mr Abbott said.
Meanwhile Sky News commentator Peter Van Onselen described Mr Rudd's deed as "outrageous" although he admittedly thinks that the rule to bring any notes during the debate was absurd.
"The rules are laid out and both leaders have agreed to it ... it is a disadvantage to Tony Abbott. Kevin Rudd cheated."
The outrage over Mr Rudd's cheating was heightened when it was found out those days before the debate, Mr Rudd posted a picture on Twitter hinting about his plan of using his cheat sheets for the debate.
He posted a picture of himself with pile of papers surrounding him. He later tweeted: ""I have lots of official briefs for the debate. Does anyone have some good jokes? KRudd."
Meanwhile, Julie Bishop attacked on Mr Rudd's promise of honesty in her twitter post.
KRudd can't even keep basic promise on 'no notes' for #debate as he read his opening speech closing speech and most of it in between!
— Julie Bishop (@JulieBishopMP) August 11, 2013
In a report from news.com.au, a spokesman for Mr Rudd was prompt to save him from further allegations.
"There was absolutely no intention to do anything other than comply with the rules. The PM arrived at lectern in full view of the audience and the panel. There were no objections raised at any time. We have always believed this rule is aimed at preventing the use of props. The PM is happy to debate Mr Abbott at any time during the election campaign without notes," the spokesman said.
As a result of the said cheating allegations, believing that Mr Abbott had won the election and not Mr Rudd, the party officially announced that it was their man who aced the first electoral debate.