2025 Australian federal election debates and forums
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Several debates were held during the campaign for the 2025 Australian federal election between senior figures of the governing Australian Labor Party and the opposition Liberal Party of Australia. Additionally, debates were held between representatives of minor parties, and between ministers and their shadow counterparts.
Leaders' debates
= 8 April – Sky News and ''The Daily Telegraph'' People's Forum =
The first leaders' debate took place on 8 April and was hosted by Sky News and The Daily Telegraph.{{Cite news |last1=Guinto |first1=Joel |last2=Turnbull |first2=Tiffanie |date=2025-04-09 |title=Albanese and Dutton face-off in first Australia election debate |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cn05jw4r705o |quote=Cost of living issues dominated Tuesday night's debate, organised by Sky News Australia and The Daily Telegraph, and the two leaders were also asked about US President Donald Trump's tariffs. |archive-date=10 April 2025 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250410130246/https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cn05jw4r705o |name-list-style=and |access-date=2025-04-21 |work=BBC News |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}} The debate was held at the Wentworthville Leagues Club in Western Sydney.{{Cite news |last=Butler |first=Josh |date=2025-04-09 |title='Congratulations Peter Dutton': LNP incorrectly declares leader election debate winner before audience votes for Anthony Albanese |url=https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2025/apr/09/election-leaders-debate-winner-albanese-social-media-posts-congratulate-peter-dutton |quote=Albanese won 44 votes out of 100 at the Wentworthville leagues club in western Sydney, Dutton won 35 and 21 people remained undecided. Neither leader made a major misstep in the Sky News forum and many political commentators described the face-off as a spirited draw. |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250411004237/https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2025/apr/09/election-leaders-debate-winner-albanese-social-media-posts-congratulate-peter-dutton |url-status=live |archive-date=11 April 2025 |access-date=2025-04-09 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}} The two leaders were asked questions by moderators and by an audience of 100 undecided voters.
Albanese was declared the winner of the debate, receiving 44 votes, while Dutton received 35. 21 audience members were undecided. Both the Labor and Liberal social media accounts declared their leaders to have won the debate.
= 16 April – ABC News Leaders Debate =
Albanese and Dutton debated again on 16 April on the ABC.{{Cite news |date=2025-04-03 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250411091534/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-04-03/abc-to-host-election-leaders-debate/105130036 |url-status=live |archive-date=11 April 2025 |title=ABC to host election leaders' debate on April 16 |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-04-03/abc-to-host-election-leaders-debate/105130036 |access-date=2025-04-09 |work=ABC News |language=en-AU}} It was hosted by David Speers. This was the first ABC Leaders Debate held without association with the National Press Club since 2007.
= 22 April – Channel 9 The Great Debate =
Albanese and Dutton debated on 22 April on the Nine Network. This debate was moderated by A Current Affair host Ally Langdon and questions were asked of the two leaders by journalists from Nine Entertainment's media companies: Charles Croucher from 9News, Deb Knight from 2GB, and Phil Coorey from the Australian Financial Review.{{Cite web |date=2025-04-14 |title=Nine to host third leaders' debate between Anthony Albanese and Peter Dutton |url=https://www.9news.com.au/national/federal-election-2025-nine-hosts-third-leaders-debate/ced650b8-a4e2-483f-ae84-3adc5200dd8e |archive-url=https://archive.today/20250421085954/https://www.9news.com.au/national/federal-election-2025-nine-hosts-third-leaders-debate/ced650b8-a4e2-483f-ae84-3adc5200dd8e |archive-date=21 April 2025 |url-status=live |first=Daniel |last=Jeffrey |access-date=2025-04-14 |website=9news.com.au}} The panel decided in a split decision that the Opposition Leader narrowly won the debate.{{Cite web |date=2025-04-22 |title='He won by a nose': Peter Dutton named winner of third federal election leaders' debate |url=https://www.9news.com.au/national/federal-election-2025-update-peter-dutton-named-winner-third-leaders-debate-anthony-albanese/b3d7f014-7da9-4c9b-8285-c6756b94a00e|archive-url=https://archive.today/20250423043711/https://www.9news.com.au/national/federal-election-2025-update-peter-dutton-named-winner-third-leaders-debate-anthony-albanese/b3d7f014-7da9-4c9b-8285-c6756b94a00e|url-status=live|archive-date=23 April 2025|first1=Jorge|last1=Branco|last2=Hohne|first2=Josh|access-date=2025-04-22 |website=9news.com.au}}
= 27 April – 7NEWS The Final Showdown: Leaders' Debate =
Albanese and Dutton will debate on 27 April on the Seven Network. Seven News Political Editor Mark Riley will be moderator for the debate. Host of Sunrise Natalie Barr will host the event. This will be the last leaders debate before the 3 May election.{{Cite web |date=2025-04-14 |title=7NEWS to host the final Federal Election debate with Anthony Albanese and Peter Dutton ahead of Australians voting on May 3 |url=https://7news.com.au/politics/federal-election/7news-to-host-the-final-federal-election-debate-with-anthony-albanese-and-peter-dutton-ahead-of-australians-voting-on-may-3-c-18366966 |access-date=2025-04-14 |website=7NEWS |url-status=live |archive-date=21 April 2025 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20250421090630/https://7news.com.au/politics/federal-election/7news-to-host-the-final-federal-election-debate-with-anthony-albanese-and-peter-dutton-ahead-of-australians-voting-on-may-3-c-18366966|language=en}}
Other debates
= 9 April – Sky News Treasurers' Debate =
Sky News hosted a debate between treasurer Jim Chalmers and shadow treasurer Angus Taylor.{{Cite news |last=Dumas |first=Daisy |date=2025-04-09 |title=Chalmers calls Coalition's economic plan an 'ambush' as Taylor plugs spending cuts in treasurers' debate |url=https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2025/apr/09/chalmers-calls-coalitions-economic-plan-an-ambush-as-taylor-plugs-spending-cuts-in-treasurers-debate |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250410094352/https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2025/apr/09/chalmers-calls-coalitions-economic-plan-an-ambush-as-taylor-plugs-spending-cuts-in-treasurers-debate |archive-date=10 April 2025 |url-status=live |access-date=2025-04-21 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}} It was hosted by Ross Greenwood.
= 10 April – National Press Club Energy Debate =
The National Press Club hosted minister for climate change and energy Chris Bowen, and his opposition counterpart Ted O'Brien for a debate on energy policies.{{cite news |work=Sky News |url=https://www.skynews.com.au/australia-news/politics/federal-election-2025-energy-debate-energy-minister-chris-bowen-and-shadow-energy-minister-ted-obrien-battle-over-energy-in-national-press-club-debate/live-coverage/c70ff06e2bdc555d7ed67967c925b867 |access-date=21 April 2025 |date=10 April 2025 |title=Federal Election 2025 Energy Ministers' Debate: Chris Bowen and Ted O'Brien battle over energy in National Press Club debate |first1=Oscar |last1=Goodsell |first2=James |last2=Harrison |first3=Bryant |last3=Hevesi |url-status=live |archive-date=21 April 2025 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20250421093143/https://www.skynews.com.au/australia-news/politics/federal-election-2025-energy-debate-energy-minister-chris-bowen-and-shadow-energy-minister-ted-obrien-battle-over-energy-in-national-press-club-debate/live-coverage/c70ff06e2bdc555d7ed67967c925b867 |name-list-style=and}} The debate was hosted by Tom Connell.
= 16 April – National Press Club Housing Debate =
The National Press Club hosted the housing minister Clare O'Neil and shadow housing minister Michael Sukkar for a debate regarding housing policies.{{Cite news |last=McHugh |first=Finn |date=2025-04-16 |title='Sliding doors moment': Fiery housing debate sets stage for leaders' face-off |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250421091924/https://www.capitalbrief.com/article/sliding-doors-moment-fiery-housing-debate-sets-stage-for-leaders-face-off-255e948f-2d7d-497d-8cdd-b8372e6cd70e/preview/ |archive-date=21 April 2025 |url=https://www.capitalbrief.com/article/sliding-doors-moment-fiery-housing-debate-sets-stage-for-leaders-face-off-255e948f-2d7d-497d-8cdd-b8372e6cd70e/preview/ |access-date=2025-04-21 |work=Capital Brief |url-access=subscription}}
= 17 April — Housing Ministers Debate on 7.30 =
On the ABC's 7.30 program, Sarah Ferguson interviewed O'Neil and Sukkar for a debate on housing policies.{{cite news |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-04-17/federal-election-debate-housing-policy-negative-gearing/105162886 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250421082202/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-04-17/federal-election-debate-housing-policy-negative-gearing/105162886 |url-status=live |archive-date=21 April 2025 |title=Clare O'Neil and Michael Sukkar clash over housing policy and trade claims of lying in fiery live debate |access-date=21 April 2025 |name-list-style=and |first1=Kate |last1=Ainsworth |last2=Johnson |first2=Paul |date=17 April 2025 |work=ABC News}}
= 23 April — National Press Club Health Minister Debate =
Mark Butler and Anne Ruston competed in a debate held by the National Press Club relating to health policies.{{Cite news |last=Dhanji |first=Krishani |date=2025-04-23 |title=Australia election 2025 live: Hastie says he supports women serving in ADF but 'doesn't resile' from previous comments about gender |url=https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/live/2025/apr/23/australia-election-2025-live-peter-dutton-anthony-albanese-defence-spending-labor-coalition-debate-cost-of-living-ntwnfb |url-status=live |archive-date=23 April 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250423025509/https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/live/2025/apr/23/australia-election-2025-live-peter-dutton-anthony-albanese-defence-spending-labor-coalition-debate-cost-of-living-ntwnfb |access-date=2025-04-23 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}
= 23 April — business debate =
On 23 April a debate was co-hosted by the Business Council of Australia and the Council of Small Business Organisations Australia where Chalmers and Taylor debated alternative policies regarding business prosperity.{{cite news |work=SmartCompany |first=David |last=Adams |date=23 April 2025 |url=https://www.smartcompany.com.au/business-advice/politics/treasurers-debate-business-tax-rate-chalmers-taylor-election/ |access-date=23 April 2025 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20250423095343/https://www.smartcompany.com.au/business-advice/politics/treasurers-debate-business-tax-rate-chalmers-taylor-election/ |archive-date=23 April 2025 |url-status=live |title=Chalmers, Taylor duel over company tax breaks in heated business debate}}
Minor party debates
=6 News Debates=
6 News Australia hosted four debates between minor party candidates for each state's candidates for the Senate.{{cite news |work=6 News Australia |title=6 News to broadcast live Senate debates |access-date=21 April 2025 |date=12 March 2025 |orig-date=18 February 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250321190504/https://www.6newsau.com/post/6-news-to-broadcast-live-senate-debates |url-status=live |archive-date=21 March 2025 |url=https://www.6newsau.com/post/6-news-to-broadcast-live-senate-debates}}
Questions were asked of the following senators or candidates:
11 March Queensland
- Belinda Jones, from Legalise Cannabis
- Senator Gerard Rennick, from People First
- Senator Malcolm Roberts, from One Nation
- Jim Willmott, from Libertarian
12 March Victoria
- Jordan Dittloff, from Libertarian
- Fiona Patten, from Legalise Cannabis
- Warren Pickering, from One Nation
- Jordan van den Lamb, from Victorian Socialists
19 March South Australia
- Christopher Brohier, from Family First
- Jennifer Game, from One Nation
- Rex Patrick, from Jacqui Lambie Network
- Dianah Walter, from SA Matters
- Miles Hunt, from Legalise Cannabis
- Craig Kelly, from the Libertarian Party
- Warwick Stacey, from One Nation
- Lyle Shelton, from Family First
=Paul Murray The Mavericks: Live Pub Test=
Paul Murray from Sky News hosted The Mavericks: Live Pub Test debate on 14 April, featuring National Party of Australia senator Matt Canavan, Katter's Australian Party leader and member for Kennedy Bob Katter, and One Nation leader senator Pauline Hanson.{{cite news |url=https://www.skynews.com.au/australia-news/politics/how-to-watch-paul-murray-live-pub-test-the-mavericks-edition-with-pauline-hanson-bob-katter-matt-canavan-in-tweed-heads/news-story/8fa69539948a0b705ab3caa94a0c11c9 |access-date=23 April 2025 |archive-date=23 April 2025 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20250423045659/https://www.skynews.com.au/australia-news/politics/how-to-watch-paul-murray-live-pub-test-the-mavericks-edition-with-pauline-hanson-bob-katter-matt-canavan-in-tweed-heads/news-story/8fa69539948a0b705ab3caa94a0c11c9 |work=Sky News |title=How to watch Paul Murray Live Pub Test: The Mavericks edition with Pauline Hanson, Bob Katter, Matt Canavan in Tweed Heads |date=14 April 2025 |first=Adriana |last=Mageros}}