A closely contested third leaders’ debate saw Opposition Leader Peter Dutton narrowly secure a 2-1 victory over Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, according to expert panel assessments. The discussion, broadcast by Nine News, featured frequent accusations of misleading statements centered around key policy areas including cost of living, energy policy, housing, and the management of relationships with international figures like US President Donald Trump.
The debate began with a sharp exchange regarding Medicare funding, where Albanese asserted that the Coalition had significantly reduced health and education budgets in 2014. Dutton countered with accusations of dishonesty, stating bluntly that Albanese “couldn’t lie straight in bed.” Further disputes erupted over this assertion throughout the evening. Fact-checking by AAP confirmed that while Dutton had initially proposed substantial cuts to hospital spending projected over a decade, these reductions were not fully realized as he claimed.
Beyond Medicare, clashes occurred on contentious issues such as nuclear energy and fiscal responsibility. Dutton championed nuclear power as a cost-effective solution, arguing Australia’s electricity prices are disproportionately high compared to nations utilizing this technology. Albanese countered with concerns about the practical challenges of implementing nuclear energy in Australia, citing a moratorium and state opposition, advocating instead for a renewable energy plan supported by gas, hydro, and batteries.
The handling of international relations, specifically concerning President Trump, also proved to be a point of contention. Dutton initially stumbled during the last debate regarding his lack of prior meetings with Trump, but this time he emphasized his experience navigating both the Obama and Trump administrations as a senior minister while criticizing Albanese’s negotiation efforts, suggesting he “can’t even get a phone call.” Albanese dismissed Dutton’s claims about securing tariff exemptions as “complete nonsense,” highlighting the widespread application of these tariffs globally.
Throughout the debate, both leaders presented significant spending promises. The Labor party outlined plans for income tax reductions, while the Coalition proposed a temporary suspension of fuel excise. When pressed on where savings could be found, Dutton remained vague, promising to identify areas for reduction through central agency review, while Albanese demanded specific details regarding the Coalition’s planned cuts.
A brief moment of agreement emerged when both leaders acknowledged the need for large technology companies to contribute to Australian news content and voiced support for limiting social media access for young people. The debate concluded with each leader citing family as a notable achievement of their opponent, signaling a degree of mutual respect despite the heated exchanges.
The expert panel’s assessments were divided – Charles Croucher from Nine Political Editor leaned towards Dutton’s performance as his “best debate to date,” while Phil Coorey from Australian Financial Review favored Albanese. Deborah Knight, also from Nine Radio, awarded a slight victory to Albanese.
