Labour’s Chris Hipkins and National’s Christopher Luxon Face Off in First Live Election Debate

Labour’s Chris Hipkins and National’s Christopher Luxon Face Off in First Live Election Debate

The First of Five Live Election Debates

As October 14, the New Zealand election day, draws closer, the country’s political stage is heating up with the first of five live election debates. The debate, aired on National television, featured the leaders of the two main parties, Labour’s Chris Hipkins and National’s Christopher Luxon. The event marked the first time voters could witness a head-to-head discussion between the leaders in a primetime debate.

The debate was screened less than a month before the election day, with advance voting commencing on October 2. It lasted 90 minutes, followed by an analysis session. This platform provided an opportunity for voters to understand the leaders’ perspectives, their party philosophies, and their proposed policies, thereby enabling informed voting decisions.

Leaders Rate Their Performance

Following the debate, both leaders rated their performances as an 8 out of 10. When asked about the best aspect of his performance, Hipkins stated that he answered the questions while his opponent did not. On the other hand, Luxon pointed out that the debate is only one aspect of a campaign and hoped it served as a good platform for both leaders to present their views.

Key Issues Discussed: Tax and Cost of Living

During the debate, Luxon sidestepped questions about what he would do if the expected tax revenue did not materialize. He expressed confidence in his tax package, which has been questioned by some economists. Luxon’s plan involves selling homes over 2 million to foreigners, taxed at 15 per cent, which he believes would bring in enough revenue alongside other measures to fund tax relief for low to middle income New Zealanders.

Hipkins, however, accused Luxon of not being upfront and honest with New Zealanders, arguing that the National’s tax cuts would fuel inflation. Luxon retorted by saying that his plan had been costed as fiscally neutral. The Labour leader also claimed that the National’s plan would cut a lot of policies aimed at reducing the cost of living. Luxon responded that National’s tax relief would provide significant financial relief to families.

Crime and Safety Concerns

On the issue of crime and safety, Hipkins highlighted the measures taken under his leadership, including the levying of 50,000 charges against gang members and a 75 per cent reduction in reoffending due to the Circuit Breaker programme. Luxon, however, accused the Labour of not focusing on keeping people safe and claimed that they had only targeted to reduce the prison population without a corresponding decrease in crime.

Housing Crisis and Solutions

The housing crisis was another major topic during the debate. Hipkins asserted that the solution lies in building more houses, while Luxon criticized Labour’s inability to effectively address the housing crisis despite their absolute majority. The National leader also took a jab at Hipkins, accusing him of funding gangs and not being able to effectively control gang activities.

Preparation and Expectations

The leaders admitted to having prepared for the debate in their own ways. Hipkins acknowledged his weakness in remembering facts and figures, while Luxon claimed to have done preparations during the evenings over recent days. Both leaders aimed to present their party’s ideas and philosophies effectively to help undecided voters make informed decisions.