Albanese and Dutton Face Off: What Went Down at the First Debate
Okay, so Australia's 2025 election is officially ON, and last night's debate between Albo and Dutton? Let's just say it was something. The first of the leaders' debates, a "People's Forum" put on by Sky News and The Daily Telegraph, featured a hundred undecided voters grilling the PM and the Opposition Leader in Western Sydney. It started at 7:30 pm AEST, and honestly, I was glued to my screen.
The Pre-Debate Drama: More Than Just Policy
The lead-up to the debate was, shall we say, *interesting*. Remember Ben Britton, the Liberal candidate who got dumped after making some truly awful comments about women in the ADF? Yeah, that caused a HUGE uproar. Senator Lambie called him out – and rightly so – describing his remarks as "absolutely disgraceful." Britton then claimed it was all a factional plot to get Dutton, but Anne Ruston shot that down pretty quickly. You know how sometimes things just spiral? This was one of those times.
And then there's the Coalition's ever-shifting work-from-home policy and those planned public service cuts. They’ve faced a ton of criticism, and rightly so, I think. Plus, the economy is a major worry for everyone. The possibility of a recession, and the impact of those US tariffs... it's all pretty heavy stuff, especially with differing viewpoints from Senator Lambie and Anne Ruston.
Catching the Action: Where to Watch (and How!)
Last night’s debate (April 8th) aired live on Sky News (subscription needed, unfortunately!), their website, and on The Daily Telegraph's site. But don't worry if you missed it! There's another one coming up. The ABC is hosting a debate on April 16th at 8 pm AEST. This one will be on ABC TV, iView, ABC Radio, and the ABC Listen app – completely free!
So, What Happened?
Expect fireworks – that's the understatement of the century! With the election just weeks away, both leaders were clearly fighting for those undecided voters. The big topics were all there: the economy, the cost of living, mental health (finally!), and the impact of those pesky US tariffs. Our political reporters were live-blogging the whole thing, offering fact-checks and analysis. It was pretty intense.
Don't Miss Out!
This election feels hugely important. These debates are key, and they’re shaping how people are feeling about the candidates. If you didn’t catch the first one, make sure you watch the next one. And keep an eye on our live blog for all the details, expert analysis, and maybe a little bit of drama – because let’s be honest, that’s half the fun, right? Stay tuned!
