By MAX AITCHISON, POLITICAL REPORTER FOR DAILY MAIL AUSTRALIA

Published: 09:44 BST, 16 April 2025 | Updated: 10:56 BST, 16 April 2025

Anthony Albanese and Peter Dutton will go head-to-head for the second time in tonight’s ABC leaders’ debate.

It marks the halfway point in the campaign and will be a must-win clash for the Opposition Leader who trails the Prime Minister in the polls.

The debate, which will be moderated by Insiders host David Speers and held at the ABC’s new Parramatta studios, will air on the national broadcaster’s main channel at 8pm (AEST). 

Follow Daily Mail Australia’s live coverage below.

Pro-Palestine protesters greet both leaders

A gaggle of protesters awaited both leaders outside the ABC’s new Parramatta studios (pictured below).

Multiple Palestine flags were seen as wel as a sign that red ‘Albo & Dutton! Stop the genocide!’

There was a heavy police presence around the ABC office, with curtains put up so people can’t look inside the studio.

Journalists travelling with Mr Dutton were reportedly in a four-hour lockdown ahead of the debate.

It comes amid an increasing concern about the security of both leaders after mulitple protesters have crashed press conferences throughout the campaign.

Protesters gather outside the ABC studios in Parramatta where Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Leader of the Opposition Peter Dutton will debate on day 19 of his 2025 Federal Election Campaign in the seat of Parramatta, Wednesday, April 16, 2025. (AAP Image/Mick Tsikas) NO ARCHIVING Protesters gather outside the ABC studios in Parramatta where Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Leader of the Opposition Peter Dutton will debate on day 19 of his 2025 Federal Election Campaign in the seat of Parramatta, Wednesday, April 16, 2025. (AAP Image/Mick Tsikas) NO ARCHIVING Protesters gather outside the ABC studios in Parramatta where Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Leader of the Opposition Peter Dutton will debate on day 19 of his 2025 Federal Election Campaign in the seat of Parramatta, Wednesday, April 16, 2025. (AAP Image/Mick Tsikas) NO ARCHIVING Protesters gather outside the ABC studios in Parramatta where Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Leader of the Opposition Peter Dutton will debate on day 19 of his 2025 Federal Election Campaign in the seat of Parramatta, Wednesday, April 16, 2025. (AAP Image/Mick Tsikas) NO ARCHIVING

Key question in last debate

Anthony Albanese and Peter Dutton were put on the spot by a grandmother’s question about immigration and the housing crisis in the first leaders’ debate last week.

They fielded a number of tough questions from the crowd but it was 74-year-old grandmother Janine who left the pair stunned.

All on the line for Dutton

The Opposition Leader is under immense pressure to pull something remarkable out of the bag.

He trails Anthony Albanese in the polls, with an exclusive Ipsos poll commissioned for Daily Mail Australia revealing that Mr Dutton’s personal approval ratings have collapsed during the election campaign to the lowest level recorded by any opposition leader over the past 20 years.

Despite conservative pundits praising the Opposition Leader’s performance in the last debate, the independent audience of 100 undecided voters judged Mr Albanese the winner, with 44 preferring the prime minister’s pitch over 35 for Mr Dutton.

Read more about his concerning poll numbers below:

:
LIVE: Election 2025 – Anthony Albanese and Peter Dutton set to battle it out in the ABC’s leaders’ debate



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