10 key moments from Anthony Albanese and Peter Dutton’s third leaders’ debate

They called each other liars, tore into weaknesses and got sharply personal at times, but by the end they … agreed. Here are the key moments from the third leaders’ debate.

The third leader’s debate of the election campaign has delivered some personal reflections and the stiffest barbs yet of any head-to-head fight between Anthony Albanese and Peter Dutton so far.

Here are the key moments:

Just one lie?

Peter Dutton, given the chance to counter the biggest lie told about him this campaign, playfully asked “just one? ” — in a sure fire sign he’s felt weighed down by Labor’s attack tactics on issues like nuclear energy, health spending, and cuts to the public service.

Nine minutes to chaos

It took just nine minutes for the third Leader’s Debate to descend into sledge and counter-sledge. Peter Dutton, frustrated with Anthony Albanese’s attack on his health record, accuses the Prime Minister of being unable to “lie straight in bed”. Mr Albanese hits back with “you can go to abuse that’s a sign of desperation”.

Peter Dutton during the third leaders’ debate. Picture: Alex Ellinghausen

Bulk billing rates will go up

Anthony Albanese has staked his leadership on making bulk billing great again, declaring “absolutely” bulk billing rates would go up should he be re-elected to the top job.

My open door policy is smaller than yours

Net migration peaked at 536,000 people a year during Anthony Albanese’s term — a stat he chalked up to the post-Covid floodgates being opened. And in a spin of the narrative, the Prime Minister went so far as to brand Peter Dutton the “gold and silver medal for the most number of visas that have been issued by any migration minister since Federation”.

Nuclear sound bite

Peter Dutton, arguing the Coalition’s nuclear policy, accepts his pitch – costed at $331bn under Coalition figures – was “difficult to explain in a ten second sound bite”.

Kindness isn’t weakness

Anthony Albanese bats away any suggestion he is too “wishy washy” or “soft” for these uncertain times, declaring “kindness isn’t weakness. Kindness is something that I was raised with”. It’s in direct contrast to Peter Dutton’s acceptance his time as a police officer had “hardened” him, saying “I think when you go to deliver a death message to a family whose son is overdosed … or to a car accident where a child’s been killed, I do think that has a big impact on you, and it certainly has on me”.

Media bargaining unity ticket

In a rare show of bipartisanship both Anthony Albanese and Peter Dutton have vowed to ensure tech giants don’t cannibalise Australia’s news companies — meaning companies like Meta and Google should be paying their fair share for news. Peter Dutton said “It provides support to journalism and it provides equity in the relationship and the way in which the big companies have conducted themselves”.

Four year terms

Both men have confirmed they support moving to four year fixed terms, rather than the carousel of speculation that comes around every three years. But Anthony Albanese is convinced Peter Dutton would never support the nation going to a referendum on the issue.

Anthony Albanese categorically ruled out doing any deals with the Greens during the third leaders’ debate. Picture: James Brickwood

Green deals

Anthony Albanese categorically ruled out doing any deals with the Greens in order to form minority government, in a sign the Prime Minister will look to independent crossbenchers, including the Teals, to provide confidence of supply rather than the Greens.

Both punching

The end of the debate is filled with furious agreement, with Anthony Albanese — in an exchange where both men are asked to be nice to each other — said they were both “punching above their weight” when it comes to their partners. Both men say the other has a terrific family.

Originally published as 10 key moments from Anthony Albanese and Peter Dutton’s third leaders’ debate