In the room as Albanese and Dutton go head to head
The first leaders debate of this campaign will not have done much to move the needle.
The sight of Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s Medicare card emerging from his pocket has become a mainstay on the campaign trail. It was only a matter of time before the green card appeared at the Sky News People’s Forum, the first debate of this election race.
“You just need your Medicare card, not your credit card, because Labor created Medicare will strengthen Medicare,” Albanese declared, when asked what he would do to reduce the cost of a GP visit.
Unlike other debates, Sky’s format requires prospective prime ministers to take voters’ questions from the floor. That means more curveballs, but also a chance to roam the stage and engage with the audience.
Opposition Leader Peter Dutton seized on the opportunity, asking whether that mattered to the lived experience of the questioner, Prith.
