Opinion: Close contest in leaders’ debate a reflection of election

The first leader’s debate of the campaign proved to be extraordinarily close, just like the election, writes Matthew Killoran.

Just as the election is shaping up to be, the first leader’s debate of the campaign proved to be extraordinarily close.

Both leaders lifted their game, neither landing a knockout blow or stumbling too badly at the Sky News People’s Forum on Wednesday night.

After a shocking first week on the hustings, Opposition Leader Anthony Albanese showed voters the confident performance his supporters knew he could deliver, not making any major gaffes and going blow for blow against the Prime Minister.

Sky News / The Courier-Mail People’s Forum. Anthony Albanese speaking at the first debate of the election. Picture: Jason Edwards

Scott Morrison came off as polished, in control and while he overreached on national security – accusing Mr Albanese and Labor of taking “China’s side” – it won't lose him any skin.

The Prime Minister went into the debate with his team believing he was unlikely to win and they were right, with more of the undecided voters in the audience backing the Opposition leader.

But even that count was close – a quarter of voters were still undecided after the debate.

Stalwart former Liberal prime minister John Howard notably lost many campaign debates, but still went on to win four elections – something which will be of comfort to the Coalition.

It was on the issue of asylum seekers where Mr Albanese stumbled, looking rattled as he was forced into a confrontation on his support – or previous lack thereof – for boat turnbacks.

Expect that moment to become fodder for Coalition advertising during the campaign. But Mr Albanese was also prepared for a fight, and took the government on over national security as he seized on Beijing and the Solomon Islands penning a security deal and blasted it as a “Pacific stuff up”.

Sky News / The Courier-Mail People’s Forum. Scott Morrison speaking at the first debate of the federal election. Picture: Toby Zerna

Mr Morrison also struggled when confronted with the mother of a four-year-old girl with autism asking about NDIS funding cuts, and faced backlash for saying that he and wife Jenny were “blessed (with) … children who haven’t had to go through that”.

It was a must-win debate for Mr Albanese and he delivered. He will be happy with the result, gain confidence and seek to start picking up momentum as we head to polling day.

However, Mr Morrison will be quietly confident with his own performance and him delivering the night’s most notable riposte.

Originally published as Opinion: Close contest in leaders’ debate a reflection of election