The election date is all set to happen come Sept 7 as announced by Prime Minister Kevin Rudd on Sunday. The announcement was like a gunshot commencing the federal election campaign race, that the Australian Labor Party and Liberal National Party were hell-bent to one-up each other.

Banter on Debate Schedules

The two major parties have yet to reach a compromise for the schedule of election debates.

Mr Rudd said that TV networks should host the debate happening each week of the campaign with the first debate to happen Sunday, hosted by Channel 7 and Facebook. Liberal party disagreed, suggesting one debate to happen on Sunday at the National Press Club in Canberra and limit the other debates to two - one in Sydney's Rooty Hill and in Brisbane.

The Australian Labor Party agreed to LP's schedule under one condition: Liberal will follow ALP's debate plans for the next remaining campaigns.

In a report from Sydney Morning Herald, ALP campaign director George Wright wrote LP federal director Brian Loughnane that they agreed to the debate at National Press Club but "all major networks have the opportunity to host a debate during the campaign."

"We believe there should be debates specifically covering national security, the economy and climate change, health and education," Mr Wright said in the letter. He also mentioned that the next debate be held in Sydney on Sunday, Aug 18, hosted by Channel 7 and Facebook.

Mr Loughnane responded that Mr Abbott wants the debate on Sunday at the press club. However, Liberal was still vague about the schedule for the two other debates.

Mr Rudd took the banter to Facebook.

"Why won't Tony Abbott accept a debate with me and the 11 million Australians on Facebook participating?KRudd."

Mr Abbott responded.

"I look forward to debating Kevin Rudd this Sunday at the National Press Club, including taking questions from social media from people across Australia."

Meanwhile, Greens leader Christine Milne upheld that her party should be included in these debates, arguing that without her party's participation, Rudd vs Abbott debates are only propagandas.

"It is going to be a stage-managed contest of popularity, celebrity and fashion, what their ties are like, what their suits are like, what their tone is like, not what their policies are," said Ms Milne.

Coalition Attack Rudd for Controversial Home Insulation

In July, in the wake of 200 house fires, 1,000 potentially electrified roofs and deaths of four installers were associated to Mr Rudd's home insulation project, Mr Rudd had issued a public apology.

On Thursday, reports revealed that Mr Rudd had received warning letters for the possible hazardous effect of the project, but Mr Rudd continued anyway.

Hence, the Coalition attacked Mr Rudd to admit accepting these warnings but deciding to be negligent on his decision. The Coalition's uphold that the issue of trust is a defining factor whether people should still vote for Mr Rudd.

Opposition climate action spokesman Greg Hunt continued to prod on Mr Rudd in his Sydney talk on Thursday.

"I just want to repeat, we now have revelations that the Prime Minister's closest officials knew there'd be house fires and there would be injuries as a consequence of the home insulation program. Key letters are hidden, key documents are hidden, key warnings are hidden. We expect a full statement from the Prime Minister releasing all warnings and disclosing why until now he has refused to release all warnings under the home insulation program. This is not something that can be effectively shrugged off or flicked away. This is a critical issue with new revelations of warnings and understanding from his own officials. And yet because of the Prime Minister's determination to have the stimulus package implemented they would proceed in any event."

Peter Beattie Saviour for ALP?

Critics called Mr Rudd's decision to take Peter Beattie back in the party desperate, especially, that he made a personal call just to ask for Mr Beattie's help.

Popular as a total media tart, Mr Beattie started his campaign calling all voters to work against handing too much power to the Coalition.

"If Tony Abbott wins this election we'll have wall-to-wall LNP from one end of Queensland to the other. Everybody knows that if you don't have balance ... You don't have anyone to keep the bastards honest."

Mr Beattie's magic seemed to be working well.

In a report from Goldcoats.com, voters were expressing warm acceptance to Mr Beattie.

"He is down to earth. I am pleased that he is running for Forde and he will get my vote," Upper Coomera resident Cassandra Green, 25, said.

"I was impressed with him. He did well getting money for Queensland when Howard was prime minister. He might put some sense back into the ALP caucus. But I am voting for the LNP - I generally do," said retiree Colin Taylor, 83.

However, there were lukewarm reactions for the overall ALP team including Mr Rudd.

"The people who talk to me seem to be happy that Julia Gillard is gone and that Kevin Rudd is in. They like Kevin. But I don't think there is strong support for either party at this point," Upper Coomera Jenny Reeves, 42, said.

"The ALP have done their dash as far as I am concerned. I am not too rapt with things," retiree Ken McClintock, 76, said.