Sky News debate audience verdict: Albanese 44, Dutton 35 (open thread)

A hand-picked audience leans slightly toward Anthony Albanese in a leaders’ debate that likely did neither leader harm nor good.

Last night’s Sky News People’s Forum, which can be viewed in full here, was deemed by 44 out of a hand-picked audience of 100 undecided voters to have been won by Anthony Albanese, with 35 favouring Peter Dutton and 21 undecided. I suspect though that to the extent that the broader public notices the low-rating event at all, what’s most likely to filter through is that Peter Dutton performed creditably immediately after learning that his father had suffered a heart attack. The event was conducted at Wentworthville Leagues Club in the electorate of Parramatta, a culturally diverse electorate notable particularly for its Indian population, which seemed suitably well represented.

The next debate, to be held from 8pm next Wednesday, will assuredly reach a larger audience by virtue of being broadcast free-to-air by the ABC. It too will be held in Parramatta, that being the location of the ABC’s new studios, though that’s of no great consequence as it will not follow the town hall format of the “People’s Forum”. Whether any further debates are held later in the game remains to be determined.

Author: William Bowe

William Bowe is a Perth-based election analyst and occasional teacher of political science. His blog, The Poll Bludger, has existed in one form or another since 2004, and is one of the most heavily trafficked websites on Australian politics.

727 comments on “Sky News debate audience verdict: Albanese 44, Dutton 35 (open thread)”

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  1. Comment from Greg Jericho
    “Angus Taylor is betting on the confidence fairy delivering faster growth. This is exactly what Joe Hockey used to preach in 2013. It is a fantasy that does not face realty,

    Also Ross Greenwood is suggesting you need to cut govt spending during a recession? That would deliver a depression.”

  2. Angus citing the vox pop curated crew – and the answer?

    Strong economy, and 25c at the bowser – and gas coming down per gigajoule. Simple.

  3. Taylor – rather put more money into Foodbank than fix the root cause.

    Jim shakes his head.

    The IQ gap is palpable.

    More GAS lighting by Angus.

    Ross – will you still cut in a downturn ? Taylor doubles down on Foodbank

  4. “Angus has just made those numbers up”, says Chamers who then asks him to come clean on where the $600m for the nuclear reactors.

  5. Greenwood now wants Jimmy to apologise for $275 reduction in electricity prices.

    Chalmers putting things in context – it’s all Angus’s fault. And the Ukraine war.

  6. Jim says you literally made those numbers up. Now on the attack about $600b nuclear funding – Ross asking him to apologise – Jim says Ukraine war caused price escalation

  7. Jim getting a wrap as the best communicator – but he has a glass jaw.

    Angus – incredibly gifted but you don’t put the work in

  8. The RWNJ Taylor has acquitted himself well tonight. Chalmers almost leering into the screen. I don’t think Taylor is the idiot some of you believe him to be.

  9. Angus asks Jim to apologise – Jim all over the detail absolutely schooling Taylor.

    Jim asks will he commit the same commitment for no cuts to health and education per 2013 election.

    Angus looks like he’s going to cry

  10. ABC 7.30 summary of where the electricity is at was pretty good. It has been known by people in the industry that base load is a concept from the past. A report for general consumption finally put it on the table.

    No base load, no place for coal, no place for nuclear.

  11. Question is will you guarantee no cuts to health and education?

    Angus rattles on about quantum computing..

    And bringing in a bill with slippery wording

  12. As a Green voter, Chalmers has looked completely rattled.
    The labor groupthink here needs to have a strong think about the enemy you are dealing with.

  13. Scotch College brings Disneyland to Sydney with its new castle. How much of your taxes went directly or indirectly towards its construction?

    Parents furious as Scots sends a bill to attend opening of $60m ‘castle’
    Eastern suburbs private school Scots College will this week unveil the faux baronial castle after years of delay and budget blowouts.
    https://www.smh.com.au/national/nsw/inside-this-sydney-private-school-s-60-million-castle-20250409-p5lqgw.html

  14. Climate Change and Energy Minister Chris Bowen is in danger of losing his western Sydney seat of McMahon to local tech millionaire Matt Camenzuli, according to independent polling showing ­power bills a top concern.
    Mr Bowen holds the seat, which has always been in ALP hands, with a margin of about 10 per cent after an electoral redistribution, but Compass polling taken last weekend shows him on just 19 per cent support, well ­behind independent candidate Mr Camenzuli on 41 per cent.
    Not only does the polling show Mr Bowen behind the local businessman, but also just below the Liberal support of 20 per cent.
    The distribution of Liberal preferences could decide the outcome on election night.
    https://www.theaustralian.com.au/nation/politics/election-2025-shock-polling-has-energy-minister-chris-bowen-at-risk-in-mcmahon/news-story/3b7f3e0b1c03fe5db90809f339d1bcbd?amp

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