Facebook and News.com.au pulled close to one million views with its live stream of Australia’s first digital debate last Friday.
It was the first time the government has addressed the electorate through live, online video.
Prime Minister Malcom Turnbull and opposition leader Bill Shorten went head-to-head in the broadcast.
According to the latest figures, more than 2.2 million people watched the Facebook leader’s debate in their newsfeed.
Last week, SMI figures found Australian political parties are pouring more campaign advertising dollars into digital than in the last federal election. With the live debate being held on Facebook instead of its traditional format, TV, this could indicate a wider move in the political commentary space.
The live debate was shared 1800 times and generated more than 38,500 comments live on the night.
Voters expressed their response to what the leaders were saying with 13,000 Facebook reactions, including 9200 likes and 2100 “angry” faces.
Jobs and marriage equality were the top issues being discussed on Facebook after the debate kicked off at 6pm, according to the Facebook data team.
The debate was the most interactive in Australian history, because voters could react in real time and questions posted live on the news.com.au Facebook Page were asked by moderator Joe Hildebrand.
Peter Taylor wrote on Facebook: “My vote is now decided and I've made the decision to switch to Labor - in response, entirely, to Turnbull's p*ss-weak response re. same sex marriage.”
The Australian Labor Party was one of the top commenters, commenting on Malcom Turnbull’s policies.
“Mr Turnbull's Liberals have cut billions from schools and hospitals while spending $50b on tax breaks for big business. Only Labor has a plan to invest in schools and to defend Medicare,” wrote the Australian Labor Party.
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