Peter Dutton and Anthony Albanese at the third election debate on Channel Nine on 22 April 2025. Photo: Screenshot.
Anthony Albanese and Peter Dutton went head-to-head Tuesday night (22 April) in the third and best debate yet of the federal election campaign, this one hosted by Channel Nine.
While both the Prime Minister and the Opposition Leader performed well and stayed largely on message throughout, the debate’s panel of political journalists was split over who should be declared the winner.
That honour fell to Mr Dutton by a nose, according to a 2-1 vote from the reporters.
It was initially difficult to distinguish the leaders apart, either by their political rhetoric or their attire – they both wore the same-coloured suits, the same-coloured ties, and even similar spectacle frames, suggesting perhaps they had made a wardrobe call to each other beforehand.
The debate’s format was lively and allowed for some theatre, with the Opposition Leader claiming the PM “couldn’t lie straight in bed” while Mr Albanese described that barb as a mark of desperation sinking to personal abuse.
However, the event also revealed the softer and pragmatic sides of both leaders at times.
The Prime Minister insisted that kindness was not a sign of weakness in a leader and that he could make, and has made, many tough decisions while also displaying kindness to others.
“Kindness isn’t weakness. Kindness is something that I was raised with,” Mr Albanese said.
“You don’t get to be the Prime Minister and to lead the Labor Party without toughness. It’s a tough forum.”
Mr Dutton was asked if his former career as a police officer had led him to have a black-and-white view of the world.
The Opposition Leader’s response was honest and personal.
“I do think you become hardened. It’s a word people use,” he said.
“And I think when you go to deliver a death message to a family whose son has overdosed, or you go to a shooting or to a car accident where a child has been killed, I do think that has a big impact on you, and it certainly has on me.”
Both leaders even shared positive views of their opponents when asked towards the end of the debate, with each expressing their admiration for the other’s families, longevity in politics and agreement over AUKUS.
Other than that, however, it was the normal argy bargy over issues like bulk billing, housing affordability, nuclear energy and Donald Trump’s tariffs.
The debate was somewhat overshadowed by the passing of Pope Francis, with both leaders beginning their remarks by offering condolences to mourning Australians.
Mr Albanese and Mr Dutton each paused election campaigning on Tuesday to give respect to the Pope’s passing.
Mr Dutton said earlier in the day that it was not the time for “big politicking” and both he and the PM cancelled a number of scheduled campaign appearances.
The Governor-General, who was on her way to Türkiye to mark Anzac Day commemorations, will represent Australia at the Pope’s funeral.
Mr Albanese has already asked her to attend.
“I’ve spoken with Her Excellency, the Governor-General, Sam Mostyn,” the Prime Minister said on Tuesday morning.
“The details are still being finalised, but Her Excellency would be an appropriate representative.
“I’ve also spoken last night with the ambassador-designate to the Holy See, Keith Pitt.
“Because of the illness of the Holy Father, [he] has not been able to present his credentials yet, but Mr Pitt is assisting with the logistics, and the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade are finalising details.”
Mr Albanese also issued instructions for flags to be flown at half-mast on all Commonwealth buildings around Australia on Tuesday.
The Prime Minister delivered an emotional address to the nation on Monday evening, following news of the Pope’s passing, and described the pontiff as “very much a modernist”.
“The prayers of more than a billion people from all nations in every walk of life go with Pope Francis to his rest,” Mr Albanese said.
“Pope Francis’s compassion embraced all humanity, and today he will be mourned by Catholics and non-Catholics alike.
“He urged us to remember all we hold in common, and he asked the world to hear the cry of the earth, our common home.”
The Prime Minister attended a mass at Melbourne’s St Patrick’s Cathedral.
Peter Dutton had also issued a video and statement honouring the Pope.
“On behalf of the Coalition, I express my condolences to Australians of Catholic and Christian faith upon the sad news of the death of the 266th pontiff,” the Leader of the Opposition said.
“His Holiness, Pope Francis, served God with the utmost devotion throughout his life. He was the first Pope from the Jesuit order and the first Latin American Pope. He lived frugally and simply.
“Above all else, he was driven by Christ’s values of mercy and forgiveness.”
Mr Dutton attended an hour-long mass at Sydney’s Saint Mary’s Cathedral.
Channel Seven will host a fourth and final debate on Sunday, 27 April, just six days before polling day on 3 May.
