Albanese, Dutton name terms for campaign debate broadcasts

Opposition Leader Peter Dutton has agreed to debate Anthony Albanese on the ABC, overcoming his criticisms of the public broadcaster as the parties propose up to four verbal sparring matches during the election campaign.

Labor has sought to get ahead of the traditional dispute over when and where debates are held, offering National Press Club debates between ministers and opposition shadows in foreign affairs, treasury, health, industrial relations, energy and home affairs.

Media executives played down the prospect of minister-level debates, with one saying they “couldn’t sell a debate” involving lower-profile brawlers.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Opposition Leader Peter Dutton are both up for debates. Credit: Dominic Lorrimer, Janie Barrett

With an election likely to be called imminently for an April 12 election, both leaders are keen to be seen as up for the fight.

Labor Party national secretary Paul Erickson last week wrote to the press club, which helps co-ordinate debates, saying one debate should be held at the press club, a “respected, neutral platform”. Erickson also suggested an ABC debate and at least one other.

Liberal federal director Andrew Hirst on Monday sent a letter to Erickson saying the opposition would be comfortable with four debates in line with those networks’ requests: a Sky News/Daily Telegraph people’s forum in Sydney hosted by Sky’s Kieran Gilbert; a debate hosted by Channel Nine, which has the same owner as this masthead, moderated by Karl Stefanovic or Allison Langdon; a Channel 7 debate in Perth hosted by Mark Riley; and an ABC debate, moderated by David Speers at the ABC’s western Sydney studios.

Prime-time debates rarely turn elections, and TV ratings for such events are not what they once were. But the tightness of current polling, which shows Labor on track to lose its majority, has put a premium on the campaign performance of the two leaders.

Former US president Joe Biden’s stumbles in a disastrous debate against Donald Trump in June demonstrated the potential damage of a bad debate performance.

The Coalition’s decision to agree to an ABC debate is a change from 2022 when Scott Morrison rejected the national broadcaster, prompting the ABC to call for legislation to ensure it held a debate each election.

The ABC’s news boss Justin Stevens said the ABC had proposed a debate between Albanese and Dutton, to be moderated by Insiders host David Speers.

“We are flexible with timing and location,” Stevens said.

None of the networks have been confirmed as debate hosts. Nine and Sky are both keen to host the first debate, according to industry sources not authorised to speak publicly.

Industrial Relations Minister Murray Watt has challenged his counterpart Michaelia Cash, while the prime minister is keen on a showdown between Climate and Energy Minister Chris Bowen and counterpart Ted O’Brien.

“Can I just say, at a time where shares are in the media, can I say this: get some popcorn shares because Chris Bowen versus Ted O’Brien in a debate is something I’ll be sitting down having some popcorn on watching,” Albanese said.

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