Abbott disputed that he had hacked into hospital money when health minister, and he recalled the Gillard government’s adjustment of the hospital funding formula that caused an almighty row with Victoria. More importantly, he gave the commitment “of course there will be no cuts to the hospitals”. (Another unequivocal commitment was that the Coalition wouldn’t withdraw from the refugee convention.)
Abbott faced a hostile question on his costly paid parental leave scheme, defending it in his familiar terms as “a watershed reform”, and likening it – an overblown comparison – to the introduction of the aged pension. Rudd foolishly and inappropriately asked for a show of hands of women in the audience earning $150,000 a year, but got in a few points about the scheme being inequitable.
If the hour prompted more questions in voters’ minds about what Abbott might do, Labor will be happy. Immediately after the debate, a message went out from Rudd to ALP supporters: “If you were wondering if we can win, tonight made it clear. When challenged on their plans, the Coalition are weak.”
On the other hand, relatively few people will have watched; the debate was organised and hosted by Sky, a pay TV channel and received limited coverage elsewhere. To the extent it has an effect, that’s likely to be within the political beltway, putting some heart into the ALP. As one Labor MP said (he hadn’t seen the debate himself because he had been out campaigning in a desperate effort to save his marginal seat), “People are more interested in what’s going on in the fifth test”.
Abbott had forced Rudd into appearing at the forum. Rudd had wanted a series of debates on the commercial networks. While he was on his best behaviour, his lack of enthusiasm was obvious. When moderator David Speers said there would be another debate, this time at Rooty Hill (with each candidate appearing separately), Rudd did not signal whether he would be there (he surely will have no choice, just as he didn’t tonight).
At the end Abbott said he would stay to mingle and answer questions there hadn’t been time for. Rudd worked the crowd too, but left before Abbott.
Possibly this was significant. In the initial votes submitted by the audience of undecided voters Rudd was ahead. But when all the votes were in, Abbott led 37-35 with 33 undecided. Did his diligence in staying sway a few votes in those private moments?
Michelle Grattan is a Professorial Fellow at University of Canberra .
This piece was first published on The Conversation.
Michelle currently holds an academic position at the University of Canberra and is associate editor (politics) and chief political correspondent at The Conversation. She was the former editor of The Canberra Times, was political editor of The Age and has been with the Australian Financial Review and The Sydney Morning Herald.
