Federal Election 2022: Body language experts give their verdicts on Scott Morrison and Anthony Albanese’s final debate

One looked tired and had a ‘tight voice’ while the other had a ‘closed body’. Now body language experts reveal the surprising signs from Scott Morrison and Anthony Albanese.

Five weeks into a six week election campaign, a leading body language expert said it was obvious both leaders were tired during Wednesday’s final leaders debate.

While Dr Louise Mahler gave the night to Prime Minister Scott Morrison, whom she said “was open with a strong body” – she said he “looked tired with a tight voice”.

“He sounded slightly hoarse and his voice cracked after about 5 minutes. He was nodding and throwing his body forward and I thought he was going to start crying at one point,” Dr Mahler said.

“In the three debates, this is the first time I have seen Mr Morrison drink water – clearly not well and he stumbled on figures for the first time,” she said.

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Australian Opposition Leader Anthony Albanese during the third leaders' debate at Seven Network Studios. Picture: AAP

Dr Mahler said Mr Albanese “had a closed body, with his gestures in centre of the body, they were noncongruent and repetitive.”

“His eyes go off to the left while his head stays pointing towards the right – in the middle of a sentence his thinking is often interrupted,” she said.

“His voice was tight and he stumbled on words, chews lips together like an old person – pulls in cheeks and his tongue comes out.”

She said Mr Albanese’s approach is to “lead the public and he comes across as slightly confused on complex topics. He talks basics and tends to interrupts himself.”

Dr Mahler said Mr Albanese also appeared tired.

Dr Mahler said Anthony Albanese appeared tired in the debate. Picture: AFP

Fellow body language expert Michael Kelly said Mr Albanese was more “consistent with a leader” in his opening address but was let down by his clasped hands, while Mr Morrison rushed his and “flat habitual facial expression” contrasted with energy in his voice.

Mr Kelly said while both leaders used hand gestures to emphasise their points, each were let down by either rushing their answers or mispronouncing words.

During a question on wages, Mr Albanese paired “an important point with a thumb to index finger gesture which gave it more impact”, Mr Kelly said.

His facial expression is more relaxed, Mr Kelly said but he “mispronounced ‘decisions’ on two occasions which undermined the delivery”.

By contrast, Mr Morrison “hung his arms which was more open to the audience” but at the end of his answer he needed a drink of water, which Mr Kelly said “indicated tension”.

Dr Louise Mahler gave the night to Prime Minister Scott Morrison. Picture: AAP

When it came to their voice, Mr Kelly said Mr Morrison’s voice “is more inspiring than Albanese”.

During a question on boats, Mr Morrison used the same thumb to index finger gesture to emphasise a strong point, but Mr Albanese “numbering points with his fingers increased its impact”

Mr Kelly said Mr Albanese “occupied more space with wider gesture which indicated more confidence” as his defensive stance at the start “loosened up toward the middle of the debate owning more space”.

He said Mr Morrison was “overall more open with his body language, but quick gestures undermined this openness”.

As we head into the final week of the campaign, Dr Mahler said Mr Morrison still needed to work on “empathy and coming across as kind”, while “Mr Albanese’s speech remains an issue as he falls across his words”.

“He needs to show a better understanding of topics so he can educate rather than confuse – too often he loses his train of thought and chops across topics,” Dr Mahler said.

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