'First bloke' won't join PM on hustings

Australia's first bloke Tim Mathieson won't be dragged along on the election campaign, the PM says.

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PRIME Minister Julia Gillard won't be trotting out Australia's "first bloke" on the campaign trail.

Ms Gillard arrived and departed the National Press Club for the leaders' debate in Canberra on Sunday night solo.

In contrast, Opposition Leader Tony Abbott was flanked by his wife, Margie.

Pressed on the absence of her partner Tim Mathieson the prime minister said she enjoyed his full support.

Mr Mathieson viewed his job as supporting the newly-installed prime minister, but not to accompany her on the campaign.

"He is not a Labor party official or a candidate or a minister so you won't see him out on the campaign trail in that sense," Ms Gillard told reporters in Launceston on Monday.

"But obviously Tim will be supporting me during the campaign and he's been doing that."

Mr Mathieson a former hair products salesman now works for a property group.

Ms Gillard was forced to defend his right to work as a real estate agent at a company owned by Melbourne developer Albert Dadon.

Mr Mathieson was his own person, with his own life and own job, she said in June.