That debate — the last for this 2025 federal election campaign — takes place at 8 p.m. MT. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Opposition Leader Peter Dutton will be front and center at this critical event. Their aim? To influence the minds of undecided voters in time for the May 3 election. We are thrilled that this debate will be live screened on 7, 7plus and 7NEWS.com.au, giving the Australian public unprecedented access to this debate.
Hosted by Sunrise’s Nat Barr, the one hour debate would be moderated by Political Editor Mark Riley. This format allows both leaders to articulate their policies and vision for the nation in a direct and competitive setting. The countdown to the Federal Election has moved into its last week. This contentious debate provides each candidate a critical opportunity to make their case to the voting public.
Besides the debate, 7NEWS will screen a special edition of 7NEWS Spotlight, anchored by Michael Usher. Our expert panel will offer detailed, blow-by-blow analysis and a final judgment on how the candidates fared in the debate. That verdict will be based on the reaction of a live studio audience of 60 active-but-undecided voters. We’re excited to leverage their expertise in determining which candidate ultimately broke through and resonated the most with the electorate.
The importance of this discussion cannot be overemphasized. Both Albanese and Dutton know that persuading these fence-sitting Australians is key to their electoral success. With many voters still weighing their options, the candidates’ ability to address pressing issues, articulate clear policies, and connect with the audience could greatly influence voter decisions.
Moreover, viewers will have the opportunity to engage with the debate through Seven’s Election Central platform, which will allow real-time blogging and commentary. This twenty first century twist to the classic circus-esque political showdown engages audiences with a more energetic, vibrant dialogue.
With the leaders readying their last pitches, the time is now and the stakes couldn’t be higher. Yet this debate will deeply shape what kind of Australia emerges. It all comes down to how successfully each candidate can convince the not-yet-decided voters to adopt their vision.
