Scott Morrison, Anthony Albanese in first debate at Sky News-Courier Mail People’s Forum in Brisbane

With Scott Morrison and Anthony Albanese preparing to meet in their first debate of the election campaign, we look back how a Sky News People’s Forum can change everything.

The Sky News People’s Forum has a colourful history.

First staged between Labor Prime Minister Julia Gillard and Opposition Leader Tony Abbott in 2010, it was a chance to hear questions from voters about the issues that affected them.

Up until then, TV debates had been the property of journalists and TV personalities – with the politicians standing formally behind lecterns.

2010 PEOPLE’S FORUM – FEDERAL ELECTION

At the first People’s Forum debate, Tony Abbott signalled things would be different under this format.

The opposition leader had managed to narrow a substantial gap in the polls by the time of the 2010 election, but his own popularity had suffered.

Labor prime minister Julia Gillard and conservative opposition leader Tony Abbott shake hands before leaders' debate at the National Press Club in Canberra in 2010. Picture: Alan Porritt/AFP

With cost of living a major issue, Tony Abbott’s first move was to step down from the stage to be on the same level as the audience so that he would be perceived to be “with the people”.

It was a symbolic moment; the Liberal leader wanting to show undecided voters he wasn’t above them.

Julia Gillard had no choice but to follow.

It was widely praised – but didn’t prove to be enough with Abbott narrowly losing the debate and the election.

2013 PEOPLE’S FORUM – FEDERAL ELECTION

When Kevin Rudd re-took the Labor leadership before the 2013 campaign, he had to convince a lot of people – in a very short space of time – that he was the best person to run the country.

Abbott figured again when he launched a devastating quip against the then Prime Minister Kevin Rudd during the People’s Forum.

Prime Minister Kevin Rudd and opposition leader Tony Abbott before the 2013 leaders debate people's forum at the Broncos Leagues club in Brisbane.

One of Rudd’s perceived failings was that he was too verbose. Abbott summed it up in voter language when he interrupted “does this guy ever shut up”.

Whether it slipped out or was planned all along, it summed up the nation’s mood and drew laughter and applause from the audience. Abbott won the debate and the election.

Former Opposition leader Bill Shorten at the Sky News People's Forum at the Broncos Leagues Club in 2016. Picture: Mick Tsikas/AAP Image

2016 PEOPLE’S FORUM – FEDERAL ELECTION

The only thing worse than a poor performance might be no performance at all.
After being judged by an audience of undecided voters to have lost the first debate to Bill Shorten in 2016, Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull passed up the opportunity for a second debate, leaving Shorten alone to win over the crowd and secure momentum in the campaign. Turnbull instead opted for an ABC 7.30 interview with Leigh Sales, where he performed poorly.

He would’ve been better fronting up to Queensland Voters alongside Bill Shorten, who was warmly received.

Shorten did not win the election but made big inroads into Turnbull’s majority which history shows went down to the wire.

Former NSW premier Gladys Berejiklian squared off against opposition leader Michael Daley in the Sky News people’s forum for the 2019 NSW state election. Picture: ABC

2019 PEOPLE’S FORUM – NSW STATE ELECTION

While the People’s Forum can be the making of a campaign it can also be hugely damaging for leaders who stumble.

At the 2019 NSW People’s Forum in the last week of the campaign, Opposition Leader Michael Daley was neck and neck with his opponent Premier Gladys Berejiklian.

Then he forgot the cost of his 2019 Education Policy.

His mistake dominated the last four days of the campaign.

He lost the debate and the election.

2019 PEOPLE’S FORUM – FEDERAL ELECTION

And some debates have played out without a clear winner – but have still provided memorable, and sometimes humorous moments.

The 2019 People’s Forum saw Opposition Leader Bill Shorten and Prime Minister Scott Morrison roaming the stage, microphones in hand.

Scott Morrison tried a tactic of crowding out Opposition Leader Bill Shorten.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison (right) and Labor leader Bill Shorten shake hands at the start of The Leaders' Debate' at the National Press Club in Canberra in 2019. Picture: Liam Kidston/Getty Images

At one point Morrison came within centimetres of Shorten and challenged him to ‘look me in the eye’ over income tax policy.

Shorten stopped him in his tracks by accusing him of being a “classic space invader”.

The audience laughed and gave the debate to Shorten. Morrison soon had his revenge when he won the “miracle” election.

But after Labor’s loss, it ditched opposition to the very topic at hand – tax relief for high income earners – indicating that even if a one-liner gets a laugh, it’s not always a winner on polling day.

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk (left) and Queensland opposition leader Deb Frecklington observed Covid protocols when they went head to head at the 2020 Queensland state election people’s forum. Picture: Sarah Marshall/NCA NewsWire

2020 PEOPLE’S’ FORUM QUEENSLAND STATE ELECTION

Opposition Leader Deb Frecklington needed a big performance to get her back on level pegging with Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk.

The Premier used the debate to put Frecklington on the back foot when she used the NSW Liberal Premier Gladys Berejiklian as an ally in the debate over whether the Qld borders should open.

It was a damaging attack.

Frecklington lost the debate and the election.

Kieran Gilbert is Sky News chief news anchor and host of the people’s forum

Sky News/The Courier Mail People’s Forum airs live Wednesday April 20 at 7pm AEST on Sky News. Watch on Foxtel, Sky News Regional or stream on Flash.

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