Coalition leader blames poor polling on Labor attack ads as they trade barbs over Medicare, nuclear and cost of living on Nine’s Great Debate

In the third head-to-head debate of the Australian election campaign, leaders Peter Dutton and Anthony Albanese engaged in heated exchanges, particularly on the topic of each other's perceived dishonesty. This debate was marked by a series of personal attacks and attempts to discredit one another's policy foundations, culminating in a rather animated confrontation over health spending cuts proposed by the previous Coalition government under Tony Abbott. Dutton accused Albanese of lacking integrity, stating, 'Prime Minister, you couldn’t lie straight in bed,' which elicited a rebuttal from Albanese about desperation in Dutton's approach. Moreover, the debate was significant not only in terms of policy discussion but also regarding performance under pressure, as both leaders sought to solidify their stances and engage the electorate less than a week before pre-polling began. The ongoing backdrop of the Catholic identity of both leaders added an unexpected layer of complexity to their public personas, with Dutton and Albanese reflecting on their shared heritage in light of current political tensions. The session, although constrained by time limits for each response, allowed glimpses of personal conviction amidst a strenuous political landscape, blurry yet engaging for constituents. While the debate was ultimately deemed a draw, it remains crucial for Dutton to relay stronger narrative shifts to regain favor in the polls, as the Coalition struggles against an entrenched government. The backdrop of the debate—the recent death of Pope Francis—further complicated the candidates' messaging as the election moved closer, indicating the unanticipated challenges posed by current events for effective campaigning.