The Leaders Debate covered by television networks in Australia on Aug 11 was not the typical debate as expected but a joint news conference. Australian Labor Party's Kevin Rudd and the Coalition's Tony Abbott did not go head-to-head with heated arguments and the kind of verbal battles witnessed by viewers in a usual debate.

There were no knockouts from both sides and no breakthrough information that will help viewers change their minds about their respective votes. Political analysts said it would be difficult to judge if anyone would change their vote or even remember what has been said in the first election debate between Mr Rudd and Mr Abbott.

Mr Rudd has apparently broken the rules of the election debate by using notes. The prime minister brought his notes and used them as he spoke, although Mr Rudd's spokesman had said the Labor leader had no intention of breaking the rules of the debate.

Both the Australian Labor Party and the Liberal PartY had agreed not to use notes during the one-hour Leaders Debate. The National Press Club released the rule on Aug 9. Participants of the debate were allowed to bring paper and a pen on the lectern but use no other props.

Mr Rudd was seen to have a clear plastic folder on his lectern but there was nothing on his hands when he shook Mr Abbott's hand before the debate began.

Sky News' political editor David Speers served as the moderator during the Leaders Debate. Mr Speers said it was difficult to be absolutely sure from his position during the debate if Mr Rudd was indeed using his notes while he spoke.

With that said, the last thing Mr Rudd needs at this point in the election campaign is an accusation that he cheated the system. It would add more fuel to the Coalition and Mr Abbott's attack against the embattled prime minister of Australia.

Mr Abbott was handicapped during the debate because of his failure to reveal his numbers. In the debate, Mr. Abbott was pledging the GST would remain if the Coalition will win in the elections. The Coalition's policy is to review the taxation during the first term and take any proposed change to the next election.

Mr. Abbott seems to be considering not changing anything to GST despite the Coalition's policy. Analysts say he needs to do something to clear this up.

Simon Benson, a reporter from the Daily Telegraph, asked a question about the Sydney airport which Kevin Rudd dismissed. Mr Rudd said there were other airports in Australia and more productivity issues on his agenda.

Mr Rudd has also promised to legalise gay marriage in Australia. He said a bill will be pushed forward during his first 100 days in office if Labor would win in the elections with Labor MPs in a conscience vote. On the other hand, Mr Abbott couldn't say yes to Liberal conscience vote on gay marriage. He acknowledged the presence of his gay sister in the room, but the issue would be up in the next party room.

Despite the lack of excitement compared to highly-publicised election debates of other countries, Mr Rudd barely won the debate if not for his strong stand on popular issues like same-sex marriage.

Mr Rudd was also found to be trailing Mr Abbott in both the Nielsen and Galaxy polls.

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