Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese clashed with his election rival, Peter Dutton, in their first debate ahead of the May 3 federal election, with cost of living issues taking centre stage.
The debate, hosted by Sky News and The Daily Telegraph, saw both leaders outlining their plans for Australia’s future, with a particular focus on the rising cost of living, which has dominated the election discourse. Albanese and Dutton were also asked about their strategies for dealing with US President Donald Trump’s tariffs, a major point of international tension.
As anticipated, opinion polls suggest a tight race between Albanese’s Labor Party and Dutton’s Liberal Party. There is growing speculation that either party will need to form a coalition government with independent MPs or minor parties, adding a layer of uncertainty to the election outcome.
During the debate, the issue of the cost of living was front and centre, and when asked if they were struggling, a significant portion of the audience raised their hands, as reported by ABC News. Dutton called the response a “very confronting scene,” while Albanese highlighted his government’s efforts in addressing the issue, stating that inflation had been reduced, wages had increased, and interest rates were beginning to fall.
The two candidates also discussed the possibility of a fuel excise tax cut and the growing cost of visiting a general practitioner.
The first question of the night addressed how each leader would respond to Trump’s controversial tariffs. Albanese expressed confidence, stating that no country was better prepared than Australia to handle the situation. “We’ll continue to negotiate, of course, with the United States looking for a better deal for Australia,” he said. “Reciprocal tariffs would, of course, be zero, because we don’t impose tariffs on US goods.”
In contrast, Dutton pointed to his past experience negotiating with the Trump administration, arguing that the Prime Minister should have the “strength of character” to stand up against what he called “bullies” and ensure the safety of the country.
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