Interpretations in both languages will be live-streamed on social media and through SBS On Demand, the treasurers' debate on Wednesday and the debate between the defence minister and the shadow defence minister on Thursday.
The interpretations are part of SBS's enduring commitment to make election coverage in the lead-up to the May 21 poll more accessible for multicultural communities, Managing Director James Taylor says.
“SBS is extremely pleased that it will again be providing live interpretations of the upcoming election debates,” Mr Taylor says.
SBS is uniquely placed to ensure that audiences whose preferred language might not be English can engage fully with our democratic process.
“I would also like to thank Nine, Seven, the ABC and the National Press Club for their willingness to make these feeds available so that SBS can serve these communities.”
Held at the National Press Club on Wednesday at 12:30pm AEST, Treasurer Josh Frydenberg will go head-to-head with his Opposition counterpart, Shadow Treasurer Jim Chalmers, in an hour-long debate.
It's expected to cover “hot button” topics such as cost of living, the interest rate rise, and increasing petrol prices.
This will be followed on Thursday at 12.30pm AEST with a debate between Defence Minister Peter Dutton and Shadow Defence Minister Brendan O’Connor.
This debate is expected to cover issues such as Australia’s contribution to Ukraine amid the ongoing war, as well as concerns about China’s growing influence in the Pacific.
Both debates will also be broadcast live in English on the ABC.
The move comes as SBS announced that the next two leaders' debates between Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Opposition leader Anthony Albanese - held on Sunday, May 8, and Wednesday, May 11 - will be live-streamed on SBS On Demand and on Facebook in Arabic, Mandarin, Cantonese and Vietnamese.
It also comes as the continues to roll on ahead of the election day, with events held in NSW and Victoria this weekend.
SBS Director of Audio and Language Content David Hua says as the federal election draws closer, communities are keen to hear from a range of candidates and to have access to as much information as possible.
The SBS Election Exchange roadshow visited eight locations over a number of weeks. Source: SBS
“Through offerings such as live interpreting the debates, the SBS Election Exchange events, and our impartial and balanced election coverage, our goal is to enable and empower communities to engage with the election and to make an informed decision when voting,” Mr Hua says.
National Press Club of Australia debates:
2022 Treasury Debate
Wednesday 4 May, 12.30pm AEST
Broadcast live in English on ABC
Streamed live in Arabic and Mandarin on SBS On Demand
2022 Defence Debate
Thursday 5 May, 12.30pm AEST
Broadcast live in English on ABC
Streamed live in Arabic and Mandarin on SBS On Demand
Leaders Debates:
Channel 9 Leaders Debate
Sunday 8 May, 8.30pm AEST
Broadcast live in English on Channel 9 and 9Now
Streamed live in English on The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age websites
Streamed live in Arabic, Cantonese, Mandarin, and Vietnamese on SBS On Demand
Seven Network Leaders Debate
Wednesday 11 May, TBC
Broadcast live in English on Channel 7 and 7plus
Streamed live in Arabic, Cantonese, Mandarin, and Vietnamese on SBS On Demand