ABC confirms it will host Albanese vs Dutton debate
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The news: The ABC has revealed it will host an election debate between Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Opposition Leader Peter Dutton on 16 April.
The context: Capital Brief reported on Wednesday that the two camps had struck an agreement to allow the ABC to host one of what is expected to be multiple head-to-heads.
In a letter to Labor campaign director Paul Erickson, seen by Capital Brief, Liberal counterpart Andrew Hirst demanded four debates — including one hosted by the ABC. Erickson confirmed Labor had agreed to grant the ABC the rights to one of “at least three” debates.
On Thursday, the ABC confirmed that reporting by revealing national political David Speers will host the 16 April event at the broadcaster’s Parramatta studios. The revelation comes a day after Dutton left the door open to slashing the ABC’s budget, demanding the broadcaster demonstrate “excellence” to justify the expense.
The ABC has not hosted a leaders’ debate in one of its studios since the 1993 election campaign, when Paul Keating shocked Liberal leader John Hewson to win a race dubbed “the unwinnable election”.
The ABC has moderated debates held at the National Press Club in subsequent campaigns, most recently in 2016, when Malcolm Turnbull edged out Bill Shorten to achieve a slim majority.
ABC director Justin Stevens described the development as “terrific”, saying the broadcaster was intent on “putting the public at the centre of our thinking and delivering the best coverage for them”.
It is the second confirmed election debate, with Sky News to host a ‘People’s Forum’ in Western Sydney on Tuesday. That format will see the two leaders take questions from audience members, with Sky’s chief anchor Kieran Gilbert moderating.
What they said: "This will be a gimmick-free debate, focused on the major challenges facing Australia at a critical time, and where the two leaders stand," Speers said in a statement.
The source: ABC
