LIVE: Election 2025 – Controversy erupts during Channel Seven leaders debate about 'overdone' Welcome to Country ceremonies

By MAX AITCHISON, POLITICAL REPORTER FOR DAILY MAIL AUSTRALIA

Published: 10:24 BST, 27 April 2025 | Updated: 11:57 BST, 27 April 2025

Anthony Albanese and Peter Dutton are to face off for the final time in Sunday night’s leaders’ debate, hosted by Channel Seven.

It comes less than a week until Australians head to the polls on Saturday, May 3.

The debate, which kicks off at 8pm (AEST), will be hosted by Sunrise’s Nat Barr and moderated by 7NEWS Political Editor Mark Riley, from the network’s Sydney studios.

Immediately following the debate, Michael Usher will anchor a special edition of 7NEWS Spotlight including the final verdict and comprehensive analysis of the key issues.

Follow Daily Mail Australia’s coverage below.

Welcome to Country ‘overdone’, Dutton claims

Dutton is asked about the ugly scenes at Anzac Day in Melbourne where the Welcome to Country was booed.

‘Will you have Welcome to Country ceremonies, will you have smoking ceremonies, will you acknowledge traditional owners at your official events?’, Riley asks him.

Dutton claims he wants to ‘unite our country’ under one flag: the Australian flag, in contrast to the PM who stands in front of three flags.

But it is Dutton’s comments about Welcome to Country that will cause most controversy.

‘People have said to me as we had moved across the country, that there is a sense across the community that it is overdone,’ Dutton responded.

‘For the opening of Parliament, fair enough, it is respectful to do.

‘But for the start of every meeting at work, or the start of a football game, I think other of Australians think it is overdone and cheapens the significance of what it was meant to do, it divides the country, not dissimilar to what the Prime Minister did with the Voice.’

Albanese was asked directly if he though Welcome to Countries were ‘overdone’.

‘It is up to people to determine whether they have a Welcome to Country or not, but from my perspective, for major events, it is of course a sign of respect,’ the PM responded.

Dutton tears up

Channel Seven’s political editor Mark Riley asks Dutton what he’s offering families to cope with the cost of living crisis.

He flags the Coalition’s plan to halve fuel excise for 12 months and his pledge to a $1,200 one-off tax rebate.

‘The Prime Minister promises a band-aid on a bullet wound. The damage that’s been done over the last three years is significant,’ Mr Dutton adds.

He then gets emotional talking about how his promised relief will turn hard-working families’ lives around.

‘It’s emotional when you think about what families are going through but that long-term relief is actually going to turn around Labor’s very bad position,’ he said, appearing to almost tear up.

But Riley was having none of it and admonished him for going over time.

‘I’ve been lenient, Mr Dutton,’ he told him.

Albo accuses Coalition of flip-flopping

Albanese has claimed only Labor offer ‘certainty’.

‘During this campaign, we have put forward clear, decisive policies,’ he said in his opening one-minute address.

‘The opposition have chopped and changed. Australians deserve certainty. What we will deliver is just that.’

He said Labor would provide ‘ tax cuts for every Australian taxpayer’ and would strengthen Medicare.

Families in ‘tears’, Dutton claims

Dutton wins the toss and delivers his one-minute address.

He claims he’s ‘spoken to families literally in tears’ who are hurting under Labor.

‘They can’t afford to put food on the table,’ he added.

‘They’ve stopped the registration renewal on their motor vehicle or on their house.

‘They have had a tough three years under this government. And there are very few, if any, Australians I have met over the course of the last three years who can say they are better off under this Prime Minister’s watch.’

And…we’re off!

Now that the 1% Club has finished, we are ready to go.

There is an audeicne of 60 undecided voters watching along, who will call the winner.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Australian Opposition Leader Peter Dutton shake hands during the 7NEWS â¿¿The Final Showdown' leaders' debate on Day 30 of the 2025 federal election campaign, Sydney, Sunday, April 27, 2025. (AAP Image/Lukas Coch) NO ARCHIVING

Major poll delivers bad news for one leader

Debate format

It will last for one hour, with both leaders being given an uninterrupted one-minute address at the start and the end.

It’s understood both leaders will be asked six questions, including a ‘rapid fire’ session of questions consisting of just ‘yes’ or ‘no’ answers.

There will also be a four-minute debate section where both men can question each other, with Channel Seven political editor Mark Riley moderating.

Debate fatigue

This is the fourth debate between the two leaders.

Sky News hosted the first one, with an audience of 100 undecided voters adjudging Anthony Albanese the victor.

The second debate, which was moderated by Insiders host David Speers on the ABC, did not crown a winner and the third on Channel Nine was a split decision from their expert panel.

At least the gloves finally came off, with both men trading insults early on.

Daily Mail Australia’s political editor Peter Van Onselen adjudged the third debate ‘a dishonourable draw’, meaning that tonight’s clash could be the decider.

Riding high in the polls, the PM has everything to lose, whereas Dutton is the definite underdog.

Leaders to be grilled on Welcome to Country

Daily Mail Australia can reveal both leaders will have to answer a question regarding the place of Welcome to Country ceremonies in Australia during tonight’s 7News’ debate.

It comes after a group of protesters booed the Welcome to Country ceremony during the Anzac Day dawn service in Melbourne on Friday.

The incident sparked a huge public debate, after a veteran was filmed arguing with a journalist about whether a Welcome to Country was appropriate during such an occasion.