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Day 19 of the election campaign: Shorten scores a win in debate

Scott  Morrison and Bill Shorten have squared off in the first nationally-televised debate of the federal election campaign during which the leaders stumbled on preference deals, franking credits and electric cars.

Labor's new Clive Palmer attack

Scott  Morrison and Bill Shorten have squared off in the first nationally-televised debate of the federal election campaign during which the leaders stumbled on preference deals, franking credits and electric cars.

The majority of the audience backed Mr Shorten but the Opposition Leader will be vulnerable to Coalition attacks after two serious policy slips ups on tax changes and environmental policies.

Of the 48 voters, 25 said Mr Shorten had won them over, 12 said they preferred Mr Morrison while 11 were undecided.

READ OUR EARLIER LIVE COVERAGE BELOW

Updates

That's a wrap

Zoe Smith

Thanks for joining us for tonight's live coverage of the leaders' debate. We'll be back tomorrow with all the latest election campaign coverage.

Highs and lows of debate revealed

Zoe Smith

From the best quotes to the knockout blows, News Corp Australia’s political journalists have their says on the highs and lows of the leaders’ debate

Read the story here

Leaders fall flat in style stakes

Zoe Smith

The editor of GQ Australia, Mike Christensen, has slammed the leaders for their lack of grooming, telling News Corp Australia neither of them appeared bothered to get a tailor ahead of the debate.

Body language expert Dr Louise Mahler criticised the pair for their awkward and aggressive behaviour.

Read the full story here

An elated Chloe Shorten hugs the Opposition Leader as they drive off after the televised debate.

Pictures: Kym Smith

PM exits after debate

Zoe Smith

The Prime Minister leaves the Seven studios in Perth.

Picture: Kym Smith

Chloe's golden moment

Zoe Smith

An elated Chloe Shorten hugs the Opposition Leader as they drive off after the televised debate.

Pictures: Kym Smith

Bill Shorten was declared the winner of tonight's debate by the undecided voters in the room.

Of the 48 voters, 25 said Mr Shorten had won them over.

Twelve said they preferred Mr Morrison while 11 were undecided.

Picture: Kym Smith

– Claire Bickers

Shorten declared the winner

Zoe Smith

Bill Shorten was declared the winner of tonight's debate by the undecided voters in the room.

Of the 48 voters, 25 said Mr Shorten had won them over.

Twelve said they preferred Mr Morrison while 11 were undecided.

Picture: Kym Smith

– Claire Bickers

Two more debates in the mix

Zoe Smith

Now that the debate has wrapped up, what next?

Another debate has been scheduled to be broadcast on Sky News from Brisbane on Friday, but the Prime Minister has already called for a third in prime time. Mr Shorten wants a third debate to be held at lunchtime at the National Press Club.

Mr Morrison released a letter on Sunday evening calling for a third debate to be moderated by ABC journalist Leigh Sales and held in the evening of May 7, 8 or 9.

“A prime-time debate would provide as many Australians as possible, including those who work during the day, the best opportunity to scrutinise the very clear choice on offer at this election,” the letter said.

The letter also said the third debate wouldn’t prevent the two leaders going head-to-head again and doesn’t rule out the Nine Network’s proposal to host a debate.

– AAP

As we wait for the audience's verdict on who won the debate, News Corp Australia's national political editor says there was a clear winner: Scott Morrison.

Knowing the price of an electric car – a question which Bill Shorten tried to glide over – was the PM's "gotcha" moment, says Annika Smethurst.

"Shorten was relaxed and jovial, he also handled questions on border security by promising bipartisanship, blunting an attack."

But the Opposition Leader's worst moment, says Smethurst, was when he ruled out all pensioners would be hit by franking credit changes, missing those with self managed super funds.

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Original URL: https://www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/national/federal-election/day-19-of-the-election-campaign-polls-close-up-as-leaders-prepare-to-debate/live-coverage/77b5f0a05267fd8dcd1a6756cd0a9575