The Debate That Wasn’t: A Closer Look at the ABC Leaders’ Debate

Last night’s ABC Leaders’ Debate was billed as a pivotal moment in the 2025 federal election campaign—a chance for Australians to hear directly from Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Opposition Leader Peter Dutton on the issues that matter most. Instead, viewers were treated to a display that raised serious questions about the role of the moderator and the integrity of the discourse.

A Tale of Two Leaders

From the outset, the debate’s moderation set a troubling tone. Prime Minister Albanese was subjected to a series of pointed, interruptive questions, particularly on topics like negative gearing and capital gains tax. These inquiries seemed less about eliciting informative responses and more about catching the Prime Minister off guard. In contrast, Mr. Dutton faced a markedly different line of questioning—softer, broader, and with ample room to pivot and deflect.

Unchallenged Misinformation

Perhaps most concerning was the failure to address blatant misinformation. Mr. Dutton’s claim that Labor had “ripped $80 billion out of Defence” went unchallenged. This assertion is misleading. The Albanese government has, in fact, increased defence spending, including a $50 billion boost over the next decade and accelerated investments in submarine capabilities under the AUKUS agreement. The moderator’s silence on this point allowed a false narrative to persist uncorrected.

Selective Accountability

The disparity in scrutiny extended beyond budgetary claims. When Mr. Dutton spoke of fiscal responsibility, there was no mention of the controversial Paladin contract—a half-billion-dollar deal awarded under his watch as Home Affairs Minister, which has been criticized for its lack of transparency and oversight. This omission stood in stark contrast to the intense focus on the Prime Minister’s policy details.

The Role of the Moderator

A moderator’s duty is to facilitate a fair and balanced discussion, ensuring that both leaders are held to account and that misinformation is promptly addressed. Last night’s debate fell short of this standard. The uneven questioning and lack of fact-checking not only undermined the credibility of the event but also did a disservice to the Australian public seeking clarity on critical issues.

Conclusion

In a time when trust in political institutions is paramount, the media’s role in fostering informed discourse cannot be overstated. Last night’s debate was a missed opportunity—a moment when the pursuit of sensationalism overshadowed the commitment to truth and accountability. As we move closer to election day, it’s imperative that future debates rise to the occasion, providing a platform that truly serves the democratic process.

Sources:

• ABC News: Leaders Debate 16 April 2025https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-04-16/federal-election-2025-leaders-debate-live-dutton-albanese/105180768
• The Guardian: Australia election 2025 livehttps://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/live/2025/apr/17/australia-election-2025-live-peter-dutton-anthony-albanese-coalition-labor-income-tax-cost-of-living-leaders-debate-ntwnfb
• AAP FactCheck: Minister off-target with claim Labor cut billions from defencehttps://www.aap.com.au/factcheck/minister-off-target-with-claim-labor-cut-billions-from-defence/
• The Guardian: Auditor general criticises home affairs over $745m Manus Island contractshttps://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2020/may/28/auditor-general-criticises-home-affairs-over-745m-manus-island-contracts
• Wikipedia: Paladin Group (security company)https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paladin_Group_%28security_company%29
• ABC News: PM leaves door open to negative gearing changeshttps://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-09-25/albanese-leaves-door-open-to-negative-gearing/104393070
• SBS News: Housing dominates second leaders debate ahead of 2025 federal electionhttps://www.sbs.com.au/news/podcast-episode/housing-dominates-second-leaders-debate-ahead-of-2025-federal-election/38khldk5i