The race to the Australian federal election is heating up as Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Opposition Leader Peter Dutton prepare for their final debate ahead of the May 3 polls. Scheduled for April 27, 2025, at 8 PM AEST, the debate will be broadcast live on 7, 7plus, and 7NEWS.com.au, giving the leaders one last chance to sway undecided voters. Hosted by Nat Barr of Sunrise and moderated by Seven's political editor Mark Riley, this hour-long showdown is expected to be pivotal.
With cost of living issues dominating the political landscape, both leaders are set to trade barbs over their competing policies. In a last-minute push, Monique Ryan, a key independent candidate, has called for donations to counter what she describes as well-funded attacks from a "powerful conservative ecosystem." As the debate approaches, the stakes are higher than ever.
During the debate, which will feature a studio audience of 60 undecided voters, the candidates will be scrutinized on their positions regarding pressing national issues, particularly the economy. Dutton has already taken a more aggressive stance, criticizing Albanese's $275 pledge to reduce bills, stating, "Honestly, this whole campaign, it’s hard to believe anything you say." He accused the Prime Minister of failing to deliver on key promises regarding migration and housing, claiming, "You’ve created an economic mess in our country, and our job as a Liberal government is to clean up the Labor mess." This marks a notable escalation in their rhetoric compared to previous debates.
Albanese responded firmly, asserting that he would not allow Dutton to undermine the wages of working Australians. He stated, "I won’t let him attack the wages of working people. I won’t let him abandon free TAFE so that people can get an opportunity in life." The Prime Minister also defended upcoming tax cuts, which he noted would equate to an additional $5 a week for citizens, arguing that it was a step in the right direction despite criticisms that it was insufficient.
Dutton countered by promising to repeal these tax cuts if the Coalition wins, instead proposing a 25-cent per litre cut to fuel excise, which he claims would save an average household $1,500 a year. He emphasized that the current government's spending has led to prolonged inflation, stating, "The biggest issue at the moment – and the Reserve Bank Governor has pointed this out – is that home-grown inflation under this government has led to inflation staying higher for longer." This sentiment resonates with many Australians feeling the pinch of rising living costs.
As the debate unfolds, the topic of housing affordability has emerged as a critical issue. Dutton highlighted that rents have surged by nearly 20% and pointed to the government's migration policies, claiming they have added to the housing crisis. "This Prime Minister has brought in a million people over the course of the last two years through the migration program, that is a 70% increase on any two-year period in our country’s history," he said, painting a dire picture of the current housing market.
In response, Albanese argued that migration rates had actually fallen by 31% over the last year and insisted on the importance of increasing housing supply rather than restricting migration. He stated, "Labor is the party of aspiration. We want people to get ahead. We want people to have access to their own home, and the key to that is supply." This approach aims to tackle the root causes of the housing crisis rather than merely addressing its symptoms.
The debate is not just about policies; it also highlights the contrasting visions for Australia's future. Albanese is advocating for a plan that includes tax cuts, increased investment in Medicare, and support for first home buyers, while Dutton is positioning the Coalition as the party that can better manage the economy and national security. "We live in the best country in the world, but we do know that many families are doing it tough… There is a better way to manage our economy and to manage our national security, and that’s exactly what I have on offer at this election," Dutton stated.
As both leaders prepare to face off, the audience of undecided voters will play a crucial role in determining who comes out on top. Following the debate, there will be a special edition of 7NEWS Spotlight, where Michael Usher will anchor a discussion analyzing the debate's impact based on audience feedback.
This final debate comes after three earlier confrontations, each revealing the candidates' strengths and weaknesses. The first debate, held on April 8, was marked by a more subdued exchange, while the second and third debates saw increasingly heated exchanges, particularly around issues of climate change and economic management.
As the clock ticks down to election day, the pressure is mounting on both Albanese and Dutton to deliver compelling arguments that resonate with the electorate. With the cost of living at the forefront of voters' minds, the upcoming debate may well be a defining moment in their respective campaigns.
In this high-stakes environment, every word counts, and both leaders are acutely aware that their final pitches could sway the undecided voters who hold the key to victory in the upcoming federal election.
