The leaders have a minute to win it

Lock it in, voters!

This debate was beamed into pubs across the country.

Lock it in, voters!

If Sunday's debate had a Jerry Springer flavour, the final fisticuffs of the election campaign had a Who Wants to Be A Prime Minister (Millionaire) vibe, thanks in part to a gameshow harp sound that signalled when the leaders' time limit was up. 

We're a bee's dick away from election day and Scott Morrison and Anthony Albanese engaged in 'The Final Showdown' on Channel 7 last night in a last ditch attempt to win over voters before May 21. 

The debate was held at the ripe old time of 9.10pm following the season 14 premiere of Big Brother. Speaking of, here is a video from Big Brother on the eve of the 2013 election.

Just days after the leaders came under fire for yelling their lungs out at the Channel 9 debate, things were a little more dignified this time 'round, but it didn't stop lightning striking on a few occasions. 

Lightning legend:

⚡ = particularly heated

⚡⚡ = extra spicy

⚡⚡⚡ = electrifying

⛵ Boats

In a little throwback to the early noughties, Scott Morrison was asked to justify his claim that a Labor government would signal a restart of asylum seeker boats arriving on Australian shores. 

"In August of 2008 the Rudd government abolished temporary protection Visas. That was one of the key planks of the border protection regime that the Howard government had in place," Morrison said.

"That was the mark at which the boats started. Now, we all know what happened after that. 800 boats, 1200 people dead, 50,000 people turning up causing chaos. 

"Now, we have fixed that with... temporary protection visas and turning the boats back where it's safe to do so.

Morrison said he had the "best experience" dealing with "that problem" of asylum seekers and Labor were out of their depth. 

"All I can say to Australians is this: Do you trust the people who have always believed in it, or do you trust someone who was for it and against it, for it and against it?" he said. "I just don't believe (Mr Albanese) has got the stomach for it if he were to become prime minister."

But Anthony Albanese defended his position, declaring anyone who comes by boat to Australia won’t be allowed to settle here.

"The key to keeping our borders strong are the elements of the plan that would turn back boats, which we support, offshore processing which we support, and settlement in third countries, which we support," he said.

"Anyone who comes by boat will not get any Visa here in Australia, they won't be allowed to settle here in Australia. 

"We have the same position on all of those issues."

He said that when Labor saw "a good idea" - such as the Coalition's boat turn back policy - his party would support it.

"We need leadership that is prepared to accept a good idea and accept something that is working when it clearly is," he said.

"That stands in stark contrast with this government in its approach."

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🗳️ Disillusionment

Anthony Albanese says the swell in support for minor parties and independents across Australia shows "we need to restore faith in politics."

He cited the Leppington Triangle controversy at Western Sydney Airport - whereby $20m was paid for a parcel of land worth $2m - under the Coalition's watch as examples where politicians had let the taxpayer down.  

Albanese said there was also disillusionment with both major parties, in part due to a “revolving doors” of leadership.

And if you need a quick refresher on the old leadership switcheroo, Julia Gillard rolled Kevin Rudd and Rudd re-rolled Gillard during the last Labor government. And, if you hit fast forward a bit to the *Liberal years* Malcolm Turnbull did a roly-poly over Tony Abbott only to be later rolled by Scott Morrison. Rollicking good fun. 

"The level of corrupt practices that we have seen in recent times has led to that as well," Albanese said. "That’s one of the reasons why we need a strong national anti-corruption commission. We need to restore faith in politics."

When it was Scott Morrison's turn to respond he said the past three years had been very tough for Australians and many were still reeling from the pandemic, which in turn had put a dampener on the public's view of politicians. 

“As a result I think politics has been affected by all of that,” he said.

Morrison also implored Australians to think about the consequences of protest votes, declaring it would weaken the nation. 

"I say to those thinking about independents, Australia doesn’t need a weak government that has to negotiate for its existence every single day," he said.

"It needs a strong government like we have been over the last three years where we could make the strong decisions to get Australia through this difficult time. A vote for the independents may be well-meaning, but it would be a vote to weaken or parliament and weaken Australia."

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🇫🇷 Submarines

One question that caused a - frisson - of electricity (if you will) and made Scott Morrison noticeably bristle was when Anthony Albanese seized on the Coalition's decision last year to "tear up" a $90bn French submarine contract to sign a defence pact with the US and UK.

You may remember the move made French President Emmanuel Macron say: sacre bleu! and put Australia on France's naughty list. 

"It cost taxpayers $5.5 billion and produced nothing," Albanese said. "This is the most wasteful government in Australia's history. Waste and rorts are something that has characterised this government because it treats taxpayers' money like its Liberal Party money."

Let's just say you could feel the électricité. 

⚡⚡⚡

⛏️ Mining

Scott Morrison and Anthony Albanese both categorically ruled out introducing a mining or carbon tax to reduce the debt burden on future generations.

“Never have, never will have a mining or a carbon tax,” Morrison said, adding taxes will always be lower under a Coalition government.

“We are the party of lower taxes," he quipped.

Albanese also ruled out any new carbon tax or mining super profits tax under a Labor government.

He did take a jab at Morrison though, saying the prime minister was wrong to back billionaire mining magnate and United Australia Party founder, Clive Palmer, when he mounted a legal challenge against WA’s hard border closure.

Albanese said he (in contrast) would work closely with WA Premier Mark McGowan if he is elected prime minister. 

⚡⚡

🕵️ Secrecy

Scott Morrison defended the secrecy surrounding a $500,000 payment (of taxpayer funds no-less) made to Rachelle Miller - a former Liberal advisor- who had a consensual affair with Alan Tudge and accused him of emotional and physical abuse.

Tudge, who has temporarily stepped away from his role as Education Minister due to the allegations, denies the claims.

"This matter I'm advised has not even been settled," Morrison said. "That's because these are matters that go to very private interactions between people and they are handled sensitively."

"I had the inquiry. We got the findings from an esteemed retired public servant who looked at this issue and found there was nothing to base any finding against Mr Tudge."

Morrison then attempted to shift the focus to Anthony Albanese by questioning why the Labor leader had failed to call an inquiry into bullying allegations surrounding Labor Senator Kimberly Kitching, who died earlier this year.  

But Albanese said more transparency was needed from Morrison when it comes to the payment, as well as Tudge's status as a minister.

"I don't know any of the facts of the matter, so I can't comment any further. But I do think that it's quite extraordinary that we are in an election campaign, Alan Tudge is I think still the Education Minister, it's not clear to me," he said.

⚡⚡

💅 Mean Girls

Asked about the aforementioned bullying allegations surrounding the late Labor Senator Kimberly Kitching, Anthony Albanese said no formal complaint had been made.

Morrison responded by saying he found Labor’s response to the serious allegations surrounding the late Senator “disappointing”.

Both leaders were then asked about their plans for an integrity commission and Morrison said he would introduce a bill for his proposed integrity commission when he is certain he has the support of the parliament. 

Albanese says that gives voters even less of a reason to reelect the government.

He confirmed Labor’s legislation for a national anti-corruption commission would be presented to parliament by the end of the year, if he becomes prime minister. 

Albanese also took aim at Morrison's model, which he said isn't independent of politics because politicians would have a say in whether something was referred to an anti-corruption commission or not.

He also said standards in federal parliament need to improve.

“We do need to clean up politics, and we need a national anti-corruption commission and one with teeth,” Albanese says.

But Morrison fires back by saying he has “347 pages of legislation” and attacks the NSW ICAC for being a body that results in trial by media.

“That is not a good way to uphold integrity," Morrison said. "I think it only undermines the process.”

⚡⚡

🥪 Compliment sandwich

With the debate nearing a close, the leaders were asked what they admire about each other.

Scott Morrison said he liked how Anthony Albanese had never forgotten where he came from having grown up in a housing commission.

“He has shown a great deal of determination over that period of time to rise from very humble beginnings,” he said. "I admire that in Australians and I admire that in Anthony.”

But before Albanese could even think of becoming misty-eyed, the prime minister swiftly changed tact to attack the Labor leader for not being across the details when it comes to the economy.

“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," he said.

"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."

Albanese in turn commends Morrison for being committed to the nation and his work in mental health.

"The job of prime minister is one that is obviously a difficult one to do," he said. "Scott is absolutely committed to his nation and I admire that and on a range of issues, to name one, mental health in terms of young people."

Albanese, however, kept his powder dry and didn't respond with any character attacks. Classy. 

⚡⚡⚡

Ps. Anthony Albanese won the debate by the most convincing margin yet, with 50% of those watching the event live in pubs, backing the Labor leader in as the next Prime Minister. That was compared with the 34% who chose Scott Morrison.

Pps. It comes as a new poll predicts Labor will win comfortably on election night.