Kevin Rudd says he's keen to debate Tony Abbott every week but the opposition leader insists he's already debating the prime minister every day.
Mr Rudd says Mr Abbott isn't up to leading the country if he's not up for a debate.
"It's time Mr Abbott fronted for a debate on why he wants to become prime minister of Australia and stand up (and) be accounted for," Mr Rudd told reporters in Canberra.
The prime minister wants to hold the first one-on-one televised leaders' debate of the election campaign on Sky News on Monday night.
He's also ready to hold weekly debates after that.
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But the opposition leader has refused, saying he has an engagement in Sydney on Monday and won't change his plans just to suit his opponent.
Mr Abbott says the campaign isn't about an "insiders' discussion" between two leaders, but should be a conversation with the Australian people.
Mr Abbott insists he's been debating Mr Rudd "every day".
"I went out, I did wall-to-wall radio and television this morning and in every one of those interviews Mr Rudd's words were thrown up at me and I was debating Mr Rudd," he told reporters in southeast Queensland.
Labor has proposed a US-style presidential debate system, where members of the federal press gallery grill the leaders in a televised debate.
Mr Rudd says he wants a televised debate with Mr Abbott at least once a week during the election campaign.
The coalition has proposed three debates: one next Sunday at the National Press Club, a second at Rooty Hill RSL in Sydney and a third in Brisbane.
