Other than issues of honesty, we can put debate between Albanese and Morrison down to a draw

Anthony Albanese has risked failing the same character test that he has sought to apply to Scott Morrison.

When asked directly if he was a liar, the Labor leader on Sunday night fumbled his way through a response that would have left any viewer unconvinced by his sincerity.

It was a simple question: did he lie when he said his failure to answer a question about Labor’s NDIS policy was a result of him not being given enough time?

The Labor leader could not have answered it any other way. No, it wasn’t a lie, he said.

But no one who saw the stumble last week would accept that his answer was believable.

He clearly wasn’t across the detail of his NDIS policy.

It was his opportunity to fess up, and he didn’t. Albanese’s response instead would have left voters with more questions about the Labor leader than it answered.

Apart from this pivotal question of character, the second leaders’ debate – despite its top billing – would have left Australian voters duller for the experience.

Albanese confirmed the impression that he was not across the detail of Labor’s limited policies.

Scott Morrison had the detail but failed to present a convincing case.

Aside from some spirited exchanges, this was a debate in which it would be impossible to declare a winner.