Election 2022: Scott Morrison and Anthony Albanese had highs and lows in their body language
While Scott Morrison projected “confidence” and Anthony Albanese looked “more relaxed”, experts reveal where they both had highs and lows.
Federal Election
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Anthony Albanese was “more relaxed and less scripted” giving him the edge over Prime Minister Scott Morrison, one body language and speech expert said, while a second said Mr Morrison had the slight edge “but only just.”
“Mr Albanese projected confidence and certainty through his body language and cadence,” Michael Kelly said.
“This was a significant improvement compared to recent performances. Notably, he did not stumble in his delivery.”
While Mr Morrison projected “confidence and certainly through this body language”, Mr Kelly said Mr Morrison appeared rushed and scripted in his responses.
But Mr Kelly said both men delivered a “statesmanlike performance”.
“Debates are about projecting a personality, a bearing of a national leader. Not about point scoring,” he said.
“Both leaders in the main projected a personality and bearing as a leader of state.
“Mr. Albanese won the opening of the debate because he was more relaxed, unrushed. He continued that slight edge throughout the debate.”
“He moved further ahead with his articulate response to the China question.”
Body language expert Dr Louise Mahler said Mr Albanese “showed surprising strength and held his own”, while it was obvious Mr Morrison “has been working on softening and the usual traits of the clenched jaw and head back was not there, which is something he needed to do.”
“When under pressure or stressed Morrison tends to look down to the floor and he looks over his glasses, which gives a perception of superiority, that he is talking down to people,” Dr Mahler said.
“He can also blink quickly when in arrest position and struggles to empathise with those asking questions, so while there was some softening he continues to struggle to connect.”
Mr Kelly said Mr Albanese’s “fluency and structure of his responses and ability to access specific points at will was somewhat surprising”.
“Mr Albanese seemed to come into his own after all the stumbles of the first weeks of the election campaign. It seems he has worked his way into a comfortable, natural style in communicating his ideas and vision,” Mr Kelly said.
“He has shed his self-consciousness and his worry of whether or not, he will remember his talking points.
“Mr Morrison’s close was workmanlike and credible, but still somewhat scripted,” Mr Kelly said.
“Mr Albanese’s close was more impressive and inspiring than Mr Morrison.”
He said Mr Morrison would benefit from being “unrushed and less scripted in his delivery and to be less verbose”, while Mr Albanese would benefit from “not smiling when Mr Morrison was speaking versus remaining composed and rebutting the point when it was his turn to speak.
Dr Mahler said Mr Albanese “needs to watch his voice at times, he tends to tighten his throat and comes across as yelling which is unpleasant.”
She said the firey exchange 20 minutes into the debate over boat turn backs took Mr Albanese by surprise.
“The key point was 20 minutes in when Morrison began releasing arms flow, his arms wide and challenged Albanese on the question around boat turn backs. Albanese was briefly thrown and became aggressive, leaning forward and was on the defensive with jerky gestures with his right hand forward.
“It was not the most exciting debate, neither side really had anything new to say, which will make body language and tone even more critical.
“For mine no one changes their vote based on tonight,” Dr Mahler said.
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