Federal election 2025 leaders debate four recap: Anthony Albanese, Peter Dutton face off for last time

After the picture game and calling Elon Musk an “evil genius” Mr Dutton has been asked: “Have you distanced yourself from Mr Trump?”

Mr Dutton says he hasn’t been “anybody other than myself” throughout the campaign and said his style was based on former Coalition leader John Howard.

“I believe very strongly, based on my experience working with John Howard closely, he has been my political mentor.”

Continuing with the picture game, Peter Dutton was asked for his response to a picture of US tech billionaire Elon Musk.

“I think evil genius,” he said.

Mr Dutton suggests $4.20. Riley says he might get half a dozen for that.

Mr Albanese has done his homework: $7 if you can find them.

It’s more like $8, but Mr Albanese gets that point.

The leaders have been asked to play a game on the 7NEWS debate.

They have been asked to look at a series of images, listen to sound and then respond.

Opposition leader Peter Dutton was asked to provide his thoughts on a photo from the Simpsons of a three eyed fish, referring to his nuclear plans.

Question: “What about an icon of a TV show that has been on Labor’s strategy ads, your reaction Mr Dutton?”

Dutton: “A juvenile response from a Prime Minister not prepared to debate the topic.”

The rapid fire round has begun.

The Copacabana House Mr Albanese and his partner Jodie Haydon bought together last year that caused quite a stir is shown to the leaders.

What comes to mind when the PM sees it? “Marriage”.

When Mr Dutton sees it? “Retirement home”.

Mr Dutton has been asked if he would be happy to have one of his seven proposed nuclear sites in his suburb.

The Liberal leader didn’t even flinch, immediately responding with: “I would”.

The PM is asked why taxpayers are subsidising the renewables rollout while at the same time being told it was the cheapest form of power.

Mr Albanese says the blame lies at the feet of the former government.

“We are way behind. Nothing was happening in terms of the investment that was needed,” he said.

Mr Albanese says China is seeking to increase its influence in the region, but won’t label it as our biggest threat because he’s more interested in dealing “diplomatically”.

“China is the major power in the region which is seeking to increase its influence. But the relationship is complex as well… What we have done is invest in our capability, but as well, invest in our relationships,” he says.

There’s then a brief exchange about sports diplomacy - namely ping pong.

The leaders have been asked about Australia’s relations with the United States.

It comes amid heightened tensions abroad and rolling tariffs threats from the US administration under Donald Trump’s second term.

Mr Dutton has been again asked a question he was asked in the last debate about whether he trusts Trump.

Last time, Mr Dutton responded by admitting he hasn’t met and doesn’t know Trump.

The response had surprised many after he boasted that a Coalition government would be able to secure a better deal with the Oval Office compared to Labor.

Riley asked Mr Dutton: “Can we trust Donald Trump?”

Mr Dutton responded by saying that Australia had to trust the US President since the country was a key ally.

“We can trust whoever is in the Oval Office and we respect the views of the American people and the views of the American people and the elected president,” he said.

Does he ever text the President? The PM says he’s “not sure he has a mobile phone… That is not the way it works with any global leader”.

Mr Dutton cuts in to ask if he has UK PM Keir Starmer’s number, and if they text. The PM skates past this.

“When we have discussions, we have note takers on both sides, we have them in secure rooms. You don’t have casual conversations,” he said.