Tony Abbott has accused Kevin Rudd of exaggerating Australia's role in the Syrian crisis, but the Labor leader has hit back at his opponent's lack of foreign policy experience.
Government officials operating in caretaker mode during the election campaign have been briefing both Mr Rudd and Mr Abbott on the crisis and possible responses from Australia and its allies.
In the latest twist, the British parliament voted down a bid by Prime Minister David Cameron to launch a "strong humanitarian response" to the alleged use of chemical weapons by the Syrian regime.
Mr Abbott and Mr Rudd have endorsed intelligence reports that the Syrian regime is behind the attacks, but differ on Australia's role.
The opposition leader said Australia should wait until an investigation by United Nations weapons inspectors is completed before taking any further steps.
"It is the general disposition of the Australian government ... to support our friends and allies wherever we can," he said.
"But we should be very reluctant to get too involved ... in civil war."
Mr Abbott said any speculation Australia, which will chair the UN Security Council from this weekend, would be a key player was "to rather exaggerate our own importance".
"This is a time for cool heads," he said.
"It is not a time for Australia to exaggerate its own role in what is a very difficult situation."
Mr Rudd, a former diplomat and foreign minister, said Mr Abbott would inherit the presidency of the UNSC if he won the election on September 7.
"This is the number one legal entity in the world on matters of global security," Mr Rudd said.
"You can't wish it away because it is not Tony Abbott's preferred field of operations - it is part of your responsibilities as prime minister of the country.
"I don't believe he is comfortable handling them, I don't believe he is experienced in handling them."
