Sky News and The Courier-Mail will tonight host the first leaders’ debate from Brisbane, in which the Prime Minister and Opposition Leader will come together to face voters’ questions at The People’s Forum.
The debate will be impartially moderated by Sky News chief news anchor Kieran Gilbert, and will see both Morrison and Albanese taking live questions from 100 undecided voters as chosen by Q&A Market Research.
“The Sky News/ The Courier-Mail People’s Forum is the best format for leaders’ debates because it brings the views of undecided voters directly to our nation’s leaders,” said Gilbert.
“It’s unscripted, unpredictable and an important opportunity for our leaders to be held to account by those who count, the voters.”
Editor of The Courier-Mail, Chris Jones, said People’s Forums were always unmissable because they provided the most memorable moments of any campaign.
“These are events where the stage-managed appearances and spin are not allowed in the room, and instead real people get to ask the leaders real questions, just as democracy should be,” he said.
“The leaders never know what to expect, and so it’s the closest thing to an authentic experience you’ll get during this campaign.”
Sky News CEO, Paul Whittaker commented, “This is the first and most important leaders debate of the election campaign and comes as Australians seek to determine who has the best plan to lead our country against a backdrop of heightened geopolitical factors and as we continue to navigate out of the pandemic.
“This is a rare opportunity for 100 undecided voters to test both leaders on their policies and vision for the country.”
Coverage will begin today from 2.00pm AEST.
Paul Murray will follow at 8:30pm AEST live from the debate venue for post-forum analysis, in which leaders’ responses to the main issues and concerns of Queenslanders will be examined, and to announce the results from the forum.
