Australia

Elections are debates in quest of power. But Australia is poorly served by the lack of a formal debate structure during federal elections.

The gloves were off for Scott Morrison and Bill Shorten at last night’s Sky News People’s Forum - and we certainly weren’t in Perth anymore, where Monday’s dismal debate fizzled. We were in Brisbane: The land of Bundy Rum and Bindi Irwin. You don’t get more rough and tumble than that.

The Prime Minister and Opposition Leader have gone head to head in the second televised debate of the election campaign — this time in Brisbane. The audience of around a hundred undecided voters gave the victory to Bill Shorten, but only just.

The organisers of the Perth election campaign debate between Prime Minister Scott Morrison and opposition leader Bill Shorten have denied claims they directed the questions audience members asked.

They were discussing policy. They were engaging in rigorous exchanges about the future of our country and economy. And they were slumped awkwardly on tall Fantastic Furniture stools with tiny side tables next to them that were so short Bill almost fell off his stool when he went to reach for his

Three nights before the South Australian state election, three party leaders awkwardly shifted about on the stage of the Central Districts football club function room in Elizabeth.

The leaders of Tasmania's two major parties will lock horns in a debate ahead of a looming March 3 election.