The hour-long debate between the two leaders ended with their closing addresses to appeal to the undecided voters in the audience at Box Hill, and across the state.
Opposition Leader Matthew Guy was the first to speak to the crowd, and promised he would be a premier who would unite Victorians rather than divide them.
He said there were significant problems, but he was committed to fixing the state’s healthcare system. Here’s what else he had to say:
I want to help your families get ahead again, because I know how hard cost of living is when parents are making the decisions to either put on electricity or clothe their children because they can’t do both ... But more the point what I offered to you on what I want to tell every Victorian, the thing I want to commit to all of you doesn’t cost a cent.
It’s a change in attitude. A premier who respects you, who listens to you, who values your opinion. Who doesn’t hector, lecture, or berate you, and I commit to all of you tonight, and all to every Victorian, to be that premier.
In response, Premier Daniel Andrews said he wanted to be re-elected to bring back the SEC, to create jobs in renewable energy and to “not repeat the errors of the past”.
These greedy companies have made their money out of us. They’re now leaving, we have to replace them with something better. We also want to continue our strong partnership with our nurses and midwives. Our ambos, to recruit more of them, to value them to respect them, not to go to war with them.
We also want to make sure that kinder is free for every family, [a] $2500 saving for every child, every year. It starts on day one next year. These are just part of our positive plan and of course, delivering that budget surplus. That’s so important. Thank you for your questions. Thank you for being here. This is my positive plan. And now it’s your choice.