Technically gasoline is a more appropriate term. Petrol is short for petroleum, which is the crude oil that is drawn out of the ground. Gasoline is a refined form of it, alongside many other types of refined products like asphalt, kerosene, varying types of plastics, etc.
However, because those outside of countries that have or have had large oil reserves, they don't really get the difference.
As for debating, when I was representing Russia in a mock UNSC meeting, I managed to almost completely amend the bill so it was entirely beneficial to me.