Sky News and The Courier-Mail will host the critical first leaders’ debate at 7pm AEST on Wednesday 20 April from Brisbane.
This televised event will be the first time the Prime Minister and Opposition Leader will come together to face voters’ questions at The People’s Forum.
Moderated by Sky News Chief News Anchor Kieran Gilbert – the forum will see Mr Morrison and Mr Albanese take LIVE questions from 100 undecided voters as chosen by Q&A Market Research.
Kieran Gilbert said:
“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.
It’s unscripted, unpredictable and an important opportunity for our leaders to be held to account by those who count, the voters.”
Paul Whittaker, Sky News Chief Executive Officer added:
“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.”
Paul Murray will follow at 8:30pm AEST LIVE from the venue for post-forum analysis as they examine the leaders’ responses to the main issues and concerns raised by the people of Queensland and announce the results from the forum.
SKY NEWS / THE COURIER MAIL PEOPLE’S FORUM
- 2.00pm AEST – Afternoon Agenda including crosses to Kieran Gilbert ahead of the People’s Forum
- 6.00pm AEST – Special edition of Credlin with Peta Credlin Live from the venue in Brisbane
- 7:00pm AEST – Sky News/ The Courier-Mail People’s Forum LIVE hosted by Kieran Gilbert
- 8:30pm AEST – Paul Murray LIVE
Should be on free to air on an unbiased ABC. Putting such on a paywalled site run by murdoch is undemocratic.
Unbiased ABC you have to be kidding
LBC Labor Broadcasting Commission
Vastmajority on Twitter calling the ABC biased in favour of the LNP.
Yes, and it never ceases to amaze me how they see the ABC that way. The ABC prides itself on its advocacy of progressive causes.
Grow a set. Your right wing mates dominate the media.
I agree that it should be on Free to Air TV but to describe ABC as unbiased is as delusional as saying the introduction to the Maverick debate was unbiased.
I agree 100%. Why should the debate be run by a couple of known right wing extremist media organisations??? Undemocratic in the extreme.
Handing this important debate to Sky news is a very dangerous step towards our election. It seems that current liberal party is looking for some help from this undemocratic n inferior caliber of journalism from this company.
God saves this country from these incompetent and ruthless leadership in the current government !
The current caretaker Prime Minister and Labour Leader should withdraw immediately from this debate on Sky and a streaming service. Neither should be permitting Murdoch and a steaming service to limit accessibility to such a debate.
It is so sad to see our country taken over by Murdoch media it should be our right to be able to watch it on free to air.
Such an event as this should be FREE TO AIR, shame on Scomo for allowing this. Just shows even in caretaker mode he really doesn’t give a toss about the people if this country!
I agree! I’m angry that I won’t be able to watch the debate!!! This is disgusting!
I agree 100% with the comments of all respondents, that the debate should be FTA.
So we the people voting are not entitled to view the debate unless we subscribe to Sky News… this is so wrong!
Totally. Wanted to watch, but lowest paid dont have pay tv
I agree with much of the above comments. This debate should be on Free to Air to give many in our community the chance to see the two rather poor leaders put a few excuses up for poor government over the last term. Will be a case of an ego ridden miracle man, up against a pragmatic and as honest a politician as we will ever see. Morrison will talk over, and bluster, obfuscate to save himself, and generally make an ass of himself. I will not be watching, as it is being run by the hard right. Think PETA.!
Yes totally agree, there are some people who still only watch free to air TV, should not be supporting Murdoch, very angry.
Yes, and it never ceases to amaze me how they see the ABC that way. The ABC prides itself on its advocacy of progressive causes.
Sky is totally and toxically biased against Labor … so are Peta Credlin and Paul Murray … why has Labor consented to this …
what else do you expect from Scomo
Another good reason to vote a community Indeoendent. Should be on OUR TV, the ABC, not Murdoch’s biased BS media.
Since when was it right to limit exposure of this sort of debate be limited to the subscribers of the most devious and political organisation in the world!!!!!
This not being in free to air is the death of democracy in this country. So sad we are now controlled by murdoch
I agree, it should be on free to air, not just left to sky , and you can watch it on sbs on demand in mandarin or Arabic but not english, so wrong to all aus t radian voters what a rort and a joke.
Scot I thought would have had the power to have done better to make it free to air, its everyone in Aust that are voting, everyone should have every dam right to watch it on free to air, we all vote, Scot cannot be to fussy about how many people can’t watch it can he, he is to dam over confidant & full of himself, so he must get on real cool with little old Murdoch & sky of course. Thankyou everyone for your great comments, also for letting me know about tonight.
The pair of them must have rocks in their heads. If you want to win an election don’t you want the widest exposure into marginal/grass roots/swinging voter territories? Why would Scomo want to preach to the converted? And did Albo really think he was going to convert the converted?