Federal election live debate: PM Scott Morrison and Bill Shorten go head-to-head in prime time clash

Opposition leader Bill Shorten has won the second leaders debate, winning over an audience of 100 undecided voters at the People's Forum tonight. The debate was filled with fiery clashes on tax. The PM was even labelled a 'classic space invader' by Mr Shorten. READ EXPERT ANALYSIS

Opposition leader Bill Shorten has won the second leaders debate, winning over an audience of more than 100 undecided voters at the Sky News/The Courier-Mail's People's Forum tonight. 

 

 

 

The debate was filled with fiery clashes on tax. The PM was even labelled a 'classic space invader' by Mr Shorten.

Mr Shorten scored 43 votes - marginally pipping Mr Morrison who scored 41 while another 16 voters were undecided.

ANALYSIS: RENEE VIELLARIS - The Courier-Mail Federal Politics editor

Bill Shorten made a serious mistake tonight - asking for someone’s private details so he could send him the full cost of Labor’s tax plan when he was ready to release it.

There should be a CC to about 24 million more.

PM'S MISTAKE WITH HIS HANDS, SHORTEN'S WRIGGLE

SHORTEN WINS SECOND DEBATE

If Scott Morrison could do a mime - it was him giving Shorten rope - just like he said he would in front of a mostly blue-rinsed forum in Western Australia this week.

Scott Morrison was in his element - talking about tax - moreover, Labor’s tax policy, which he hammered home would cost almost $400 billion in new taxes.

Can I get a show of hands?

Shorten doesn’t want to talk tax - but that is how he is funding his generous and unprecedented policies, like almost $10 billion in taxpayer-funded pay increases for childcare workers in the private sector.

Morrison was very good at bringing issues back to tax.“Give me a great teacher for my kids over a school hall any day”, Morrison said, weaving into his message why a strong economy matters.

In parts, Shorten showed tonight how potent he can be with a crowd, an example, simply asking for a name from an audience member.

Shorten has been training for these debates for years, holding a number of town halls across the country.

He asked to meet with a woman afterwards who had questions on mental health, he asked people to raise their hand on an issue - clever psychological engagement with an audience.

The leaders were all smiles before the debate

Shorten knows how to read a crowd - and make them laugh, “you’re a classic space invader”, he told Morrison, who was close to him trying to make a point.

But he was very wobbly at times.

Shorten wasn’t as polished as he was on Channel 7’s debate on Monday night.

Part of the reason was because Sky News host David Speers brought him back to point, and that made Shorten a bit cranky.

The questions asked tonight were a wide bag, a reflection of how diverse Queenslanders are.

HOW OUR EXPERTS SCORED THE LEADERS:

FRANCIS WHITING: The Courier-Mail journalist

Morrison: 6

It took less than three minutes into the debate for the Prime Minister to invoke the words “budget surplus, but after a strong start, at times Morrison seemed rattled.

Rapidly blinking eyes behind glasses and a bit of wobble around paid domestic violence leave, Morrison returned to solid ground on the question of freedom of speech, but lost points for pandering for far too long to audience members with very clear agendas.

Shorten: 8

From his “Can I have a show of hands?” moment, asking audience members if they, or anyone they knew had been affected by suicide, Shorten brought a sense of intimacy to the debate.

Repeating people’s names, telling personal anecdotes and giving a shout out to his mum, Shorten was the clear winner in terms of communication skills.

Both leaders were equally across policy debate - and both lost a point for wordy lectures about franking credits.

RENEE VIELLARIS - The Courier-Mail Federal politics editor

Morrison:8

Morrison brought the room and the questions back to tax, which is his strong suit, and the Coalition’s greatest attack against Labor this election.

His connection to the audience was better than the debate in Western Australia.

A politician across detail and on message. “I wouldn’t trust your maths in a heartbeat,” he told Shorten in a swipe.

Morrison will have a spring in his step today on the campaign trail because of a solid performance.

Shorten: 6.5

Shorten is often better at connecting with a crowd - part from learning from numerous town hall meetings across the country and part learning from the political psychological manual - such as ask for someone’s name or asking people to raise their hand.

But at times he looked frustrated and tetchy, and the questions he was expecting from the audience - Adani, penalty rates and a jibe against Morrison for Malcolm Turnbull’s scalping - did not come.

“You’re a classic space invader,” he joked when Morrison was up close asking a question, an old fashioned trick to detract from an issue.

DES HOUGHTON - The Courier-Mail assistant editor

Morrison: 9

ScoMo’s basic human decency shone through. He had a better story to tell, and told it well. He’s also the bloke I’d prefer to have a beer with.

Shorten: 2

Shorten was wheedling and unconvincing. His attempts to ingratiate himself with the audience flopped.  And there are too many unanswered funding questions. A fail.

PETER GLEESON: The Courier-Mail and Sky News personality

Both leaders: 7

It was a taxing time for both leaders. Scott Morrison was comfortable on tax. But Bill Shorten was better  at connecting with the audience by cleverly engaging on key issues and a folksy style.

Domestic violence, veteran suicides and mental health were fresh and vital topics that attracted bipartisanship. Morrison got a bit too close to Shorten at one stage which was a bit weird. This is boring but it was a draw, which is good result for Shorten.

CATCH UP ON THE LIVE ANALYSIS BELOW

News Corp Australia political reporters Claire Bickers and Jack McKay live blogged from the debate, serving up instant analysis and scoring both leaders as they attacked the questions.

Follow the expert analysis in the live blog below.