Tony Abbott says Kevin Rudd set out to be feisty and confrontational during their second leaders debate.
He and Mr Rudd faced off in a second leaders' debate of the election campaign, taking questions from undecided voters in a "people's forum" at Brisbane Broncos Club on Wednesday.
The pair clashed numerous times.
In one exchange Mr Abbott had a crack at the prime minister as Mr Rudd hounded him about the coalition's paid parental leave scheme.
"Does this guy ever shut up?" Mr Abbott asked, drawing laugher and applause from the audience.
News that makes sense
Your trusted source for staying up-to-date with the world around you. Get free daily news updates and analysis, straight to your inbox.
When asked about his jibe later, Mr Abbott said Mr Rudd was being hostile and "certainly doing a lot of talking".
"I guess that's his way," he told reporters after the debate.
"I think he set out to be pretty feisty tonight.
"I think he set out to try to be a little bit confrontational."
Mr Abbott admitted he was a little "keyed up" before the debate.
He wouldn't say who he thought won the debate, but thought it was a great opportunity for members of the public to make up their minds.
The audience thought differently.
A Sky News poll showed that among the 105 undecided voters participating in the forum, 33 remained undecided at its conclusion.
Mr Abbott took a narrow lead with 37 backing him, while Mr Rudd garnered 35 supporters.
