Federal election 2019: experts give their verdicts on leaders debate
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.
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Five senior News Corp Australia political journalists have given their verdict on the leaders’ debate. The five are:
Miranda Devine, The Daily Telegraph
James Campbell, Herald Sun
Renee Viellaris, The Courier-Mail
Annika Smethurst, Sunday Telegraph
Matt Smith, The Advertiser.
Who won the debate?
MD: Bill Shorten.
JC: Bill Shorten. Despite the pressure he came across and measured and Prime Ministerial.
RV: Bill Shorten.
AS: Scott Morrison.
MS: In a lineball call Bill Shorten, who started off a low base of popularity, showed a different side which won plaudits from the audience.
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What was Bill Shorten’s strength/best moment?
MD: When he came back at Mr Morrison on Clive Palmer with a comic routine.
JC: His demeanour. His best moment was attacking Scott Morrison’s deal with Clive Palmer.
RV: His connection to the audience / replying to Morrison in a non-combative tone.
AS: Shorten was relaxed and jovial, he also handled questions on border security by promising bipartisanship blunting an attack.
MS: His grace in complimenting Mr Morrison and his stance on mental health.
What was Scott Morrison’s strength/best moment?
MD: When he went on the offensive, demanding costings from Mr Shorten and when he said: “I know what it takes to stop the boats.”
JC: His engaging tone of voice. His best moment was his opening remark which painted an optimistic vision of Australia’s future.
RV: Being across detail / pushing Shorten on the costs of several policies.
AS: Knowing the price of an electric car in a gotcha moment against Shorten.
MS: Is best when talking about the economy and he articulated a strong list of economic markers, which would have some voters arguing whether a change is needed.
What was Bill Shorten’s weakness/worst moment?
MD: Fumbling with his notes.
JC: He spoke too quickly at times giving the impression of reeling off prepared answers. He was also evasive over whether or not his plan to abolish franking credit refunds affects pensioners.
RV: Not being able to answer questions about the cost of his policies / at times looking uncomfortable.
AS: Ruling out all pensioners would be hit by franking credit changes, missing those with self-managed super funds.
MS: Mr Morrison summed it up when he said “He (Shorten) is not telling what the cost of change is”, highlighting the Opposition Leader’s inability to articulate policy costings.
What was Scott Morrison’s weakness/worst moment?
MD: Opening statement, talking about the economy and not people.
JC: His tendency to smirk when he thinks he’s got the killer answer. He looked too pleased with himself while he interrupted Shorten’s answer on superannuation.
RV: Morrison has a bad poker face and cannot hide his frustration / at times appearing too aggressive.
AS: Audience was unconvinced on Scott Morrison’s answers on wages and penalty rate.
MS: His inability to talk beyond grabs and articulate a wider vision than the status quo.
What was the best line/knockout blow?
MD: Mr Shorten: “He’s a good Samaritan, Clive Palmer. He’s the unicorn of Liberal politics.”
JC: Mr Shorten’s gibe about the government under Morrison being “held hostage” by Pauline Hanson and Clive Palmer. From the audience applause it is clear many people can’t stand Palmer and his attempt to buy his way into parliament.
RV: “People who complained we shouldn’t use asbestos any more,’’ Shorten on pivoting away when asked about the costs of his climate change policy.
AS: Shorten more relaxed but struggled with detail on two key policies.
MS: “Why did you vote against it eight times then?” Bill Shorten asks Scott Morrison why the Coalition did not support restoring penalty rates.
Originally published as Federal election 2019: experts give their verdicts on leaders debate
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