Labor leader Anthony Albanese has won the final leaders' debate, convincing pubs full of voters around the country after facing off against Prime Minister Scott Morrison.
Labor leader Anthony Albanese has taken a convincing win in his final debate against Prime Minister Scott Morrison
Mr Albanese prevailed, scoring 50 per cent of the vote from 160 undecided voters around the country, the PM claimed 34 per cent while 16 per cent remained undecided during their final TV showdown.
The pair revealed what they admire most about each other as they went head-to-head, debating about wages, the economy, climate change, integrity and stopping the boats.
In a rare break from continual barbs, the pair were asked during the third and final debate, hosted by Channel 7, what their rivals' strengths were.
Mr Morrison said the Opposition leader never forgot where he came from, 'he grew up in community housing' and he had shown 'determination' to rise from humble beginnings to become Labor leader.
"I admire that in Australians and I admire that in Anthony," he said.
But he couldn't resist one final dig, saying 'but he's not across the detail' required to be an effective prime minister.
Mr Albanese said the job of prime minister was difficult but he admired Mr Morrison's commitment to mental health funding.
The final debate was a relatively polite and civil affair with Mr Albanese calling out Mr Morrison for being unwilling to increase the wages for the lowest paid workers in Australia by an extra $1 an hour.
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Mr Morrison hit back saying Mr Albanese was 'great on criticism and pointing to problems' but he 'doesn't know how to pay' for solutions and is a 'loose unit when it comes to the economy'.
"He makes things up as he goes along. He couldn't even tell you what the unemployment rate was, let alone the cash rate," said Mr Morrison.
They also disagreed on the best way to deal with climate change, with Mr Albanese urging for an end to the climate wars.
Mr Morrison said the Liberals are investing $22b "to develop the technology that Australia, and in fact the world, needs to address the challenge of climate change".
"Our plan is about technology, not taxes," he said.
"It's about not mandates, but giving people choices about how to achieve this and to have reliable affordable energy in our system to ensure we can make the transition over a long period of time."
Mr Albanese said Labor would focus on renewables, which are the "cheapest form of new energy".
The leaders were asked about the 'great Australian dream' of home ownership, which is becoming further out of reach and just got a lot harder with interest rates on the rise.
Mr Morrison said the best way to keep downward pressure on interest rates was to ensure there is also downward pressure on inflation.
"And in a strong economy you can be more confident about your ability," he said.
Mr Albanese said the way to grow the economy is to increase productivity.
"That's what we have prioritised, productivity boosting measures, as part of our economic plan," he said.
He gave the examples, already announced, of Labor's childcare policy that will boost workforce participation and productivity in the workplace, as well as the party's infrastructure investments, support for the NBN, and plans on energy and climate change.
The leaders are asked about the shift towards independents among voters, and why they think the shift is happening. Mr Albanese said there is a great deal of disillusionment with major parties while Mr Morrison said the past three years have been incredibly tough and 'people are still feeling the effects of that'.
"A vote for the independents may be well meaning, but it would be a vote to weaken parliament and weaken Australia," he said.
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Originally published as Leaders' debate: Albanese takes out 'pub test' debate with convincing win
Among the overall 160 undecided voters in pubs across the country, the overall national result was for Anthony Albanese on 50% of the vote, the PM claimed 34% of the vote, while 16% remain undecided.
The debate finale heard that new polling coming out tomorrow suggested 53% said Anthony Albanese would be a better economic manager compared to 47% of those who said Scott Morrison would be a better economic manager.
In Queensland, in the electorate of Lilley, covering Brisbane. A tighter margin, still a loss for the PM. Anthony Albanese won there by 13% margin, a very small undecided factor there too. In South Australia's marginal seat of Boothby, the voters decided it was another win for the Labor leader, 52% to 32%.
In the Victorian seat of Chisholm, 52 per cent of voters gave the win to Mr Albanese, 35 per cent to Mr Morrison, with 13 per cent still undecided.
The seat of Hasluck in Western Australia hasn't been able to decide between the two. 44 per cent voted for Albanese
and Morrison, while 12 per cent were still undecided.
In the NSW seat of Macquarie, voters gave the win to Mr Albanese 50 per cent to Mr Morrison's 25 per cent, with a quarter of voters still undecided.
Seven has interview numerous people watching at pubs. Susan said: "At the end of the day it's Scotty from Marketing and a real man. I would rather go for Albo who spoke from the heart. Scotty is still a marketer."
Dave said: "I'm still undecided but leaning more to Scott Morrison. It's probably more that the Labor Party policies around things are all uncosted and so I guess we know what Morrison has done and maybe not done. And so at the moment he's got his nose in front."
Making a final pitch to voters, Mr Albanese's message is "we can do better".
"I have a plan for a better future, a plan to make sure we can grow the economy in a sustainable way by investing in infrastructure, by investing in climate policy, by making sure that no-one is left behind and no-one is held back," he said.
Mr Albanese said there are a range of challenges facing Australians, including childcare costs, climate policy, healthcare issues and training shortages.
"We can do better than that," he said.
"It's a choice over whether we seize the opportunities which are before us.
"We have a government that's asking for three more years of more of the same. They don't really have a plan or a policy for the future, because they struggle with the present."
– KATHRYN BERMINGHAM
In his final debate pitch, The Prime Minister praised Australians for sticking together during the pandemic.
He touted that the Coalition believed in giving Australians the power to find solutions to everyday problems.
"That's why we believe a strong economy is the best way to enable you to fulfil your aspirations for you and your family," Mr Morrison said
"To shield you against the pressures that are going to come in the years ahead on our economy, putting upward pressure on interest rates and the cost of living."
Mr Morrison said this election was a choice on who could be trusted to manage the economy.
"Now is not a time to risk that on an unproven Opposition and Labor leader who don't have a plan for our economy and haven't got the experience with the challenges that we face," he said.
"A vote for the Liberals and be Nationals on May 21 is the strong, responsible and safe choice for a strong economy, for a stronger future."
– KIERAN ROONEY
To close the debate, the leaders were asked to nominate the strength they admire in each other.
Scott Morrison went first.
"The thing about Anthony I've always admired he has never forgot where
he has come from," Mr Morrison said.
.@ScottMorrisonMP: “The thing about Anthony I've always admired is he has never forgot where he has come from." @AlboMP: “Scott is absolutely committed to his nation and I admire that – on a range of issues to name one, mental health.” https://t.co/LXt3MJTHpw #ausvotes #7NEWS pic.twitter.com/khuo6U0kQx
— 7NEWS Australia (@7NewsAustralia) May 11, 2022
"He grew up in housing commission and I have no doubt that the other day on Mother's Day is always probably the toughest day of each year.
"And he has shown the ability to rise to be the leader of one of the oldest parties in this country, and he should be commended for that. He has shown a great deal
of determination over that period of determination over that period of time to rise from very humble beginnings.
"I admire that in Australians and I admire that in Anthony. That's great. But you know, to do this job you need to know your stuff."
"You need to be across the detail. You need to not make things up on the run and you can't be loose on the economy. Because too many Australians livelihoods dependent on it.
"As much as I respect what he has been able to achieve I just don't believe that he has been able to demonstrate that he is able to get across the detail to do this job."
Mr Albanese had two responses to what he believes are Mr Morrison's redeeming qualities.
"Scott's obviously committed to his nation and I admire that," he said.
He also said Mr Morrison has done good work in the area of mental health.
"Mental health is something that when we were all a bit younger wasn't spoken about," he said.
"It's a good thing it's being spoken about, it's a good thing the prime minister speaks about it as well."
– ADELLA BEAINI
Both leaders are asked about childcare allowing more women to find work, and why free childcare couldn't continue.
The Opposition Leader said Labor would ask the Productivity Commission to investigate whether a universal childcare system was possible.
He's pushed on the fact the commission has already examined this issue, but says it was a solid investment in the economy.
"All the analysis shows that every time you spend a dollar on childcare more than $2 comes back."
But he stopped short of committing to free childcare.
Mr Morrison said female participation in the workforce was at record levels under his government.
"The gender pay gap has fallen from 17.4 per cent under Labor to 13.8% where it is now, and it even went down to 13.4 per cent.
"What does that mean? It means women today because of the closing of the gender pay gap under our government are better off."
The heat is then turned back on the Prime Minister, he's asked whether a member of his party room was "outsourcing parent" and if hed spoken to his wife Jenny about the topic.
Mr Morrison said he didn't agree with that statement.
"Our children themselves went through childcare and we went through that with other parents and their families," he said.
“Mr Albanese is making a lot of promises. He talks about childcare. That costs $63 billion over ten years. We hear him talk about a lot of things he is going to do.” – Prime Minister @scottmorrisonmp. https://t.co/RB9PKmvywo #ausvotes #7NEWS pic.twitter.com/3vowy8EIQK
— 7NEWS Brisbane (@7NewsBrisbane) May 11, 2022
The leaders were asked about the high levels of debt, and whether they can rule out introducing a carbon or mining tax to pay that debt off.
Mr Morrison says "never have, never will have a carbon or mining tax".
"We are the party of lower taxes, we've always delivered lower taxes," he said.
Mr Albanese also decisively rules out the tax.
"Yes we will certainly rule them out and have done so."
Both were also asked about the net zero by 2050 emissions reduction target, and how they plan to achieve the goal.
Mr Morrison said the Liberals are investing $22b "to develop the technology that Australia, and in fact the world, needs to address the challenge of climate change".
"Our plan is about technology, not taxes," he said.
"It's about not mandates, but giving people choices about how to achieve this and to have reliable affordable energy in our system to ensure we can make the transition over a long period of time."
Mr Albanese said Labor would focus on renewables, which are the "cheapest form of new energy".
– KATHRYN BERMINGHAM
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