Julia Gillard defends 'moving forward' slogan

Julia Gillard has staunchly defended her election campaign slogan, insisting the catchphrase "moving forward" captures the spirit of the nation.

Watch more: Gillard begins NSW campaign

Ms Gillard faced an immediate backlash after using the slogan more than 20 times in her election announcement speech on Saturday.

It has since been used by the prime minister in media interviews, on her Twitter account and television advertisements.

"I've been using those words because they mean something to me and I think they mean something to the nation," Ms Gillard told the ABC last night.

"I've used the term 'moving forward' because I believe it captures a spirit about Australia. We are a confident, optimistic, forward-looking people."

Her comments came after Paul Keating’s former speechwriter Don Watson attacked the slogan for treating voters like "imbeciles", with Ms Gillard sounding like she is "training a dog".

Meanwhile Ms Gillard said it was also likely the only debate between herself and Opposition Leader Tony Abbott would take place on Sunday, despite it clashing with the nation’s highest-rating program, MasterChef.

But she remained confident many Australians would tune in to the debate anyway.

"I think Australians too will pay some regard to the debate and to the election campaign and what's said in it," she said.

Asked about her plans if re-elected, the prime minister nominated "engagement in our region" as a foreign policy objective that would stamp the Gillard government.

"I mean, this is where our future lies," Ms Gillard said.

"This is where we've got to make our way in an ever-changing and very competitive and sometimes cut-throat world in terms of economic competition."

Her comments came shortly before Deputy Opposition Leader Julie Bishop insisted that an Abbott government would not change any workplace laws without taking them to an election.

"We will not touch the legislation for the next three years, we will see how it plays out as would the Labor Party if they got into government," she said.