Overview
- Anthony Albanese defended his trust in U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping, while Peter Dutton distanced himself, stating he had not met either leader.
- Dutton admitted he was wrong about claims of Russia seeking military access in Indonesia, with Albanese criticizing the error as a failure in diplomacy.
- Housing affordability took center stage, with Albanese promoting a first-home buyer scheme and Dutton proposing migration cuts and a $5 billion infrastructure fund to boost housing supply.
- Both leaders faced scrutiny on energy policies: Albanese avoided committing to a timeline for reduced electricity prices, while Dutton reiterated his nuclear energy plans but dodged questions on implementation.
- Polling shows Labor maintaining a narrow lead, with Dutton struggling to overcome debate missteps and provide detailed answers on fiscal and public service cuts.