Debate shows different mindsets

Bill Shorten clearly demonstrated in the debate why electing him prime minister would be dangerous. Stripping away the rhetoric, he indicated he had no idea if the cost of his carbon emission and electric car policies would bankrupt Australia. He believes we just have to have them even though they would make no difference to our climate unless the Americans, Chinese and Indians stopped their massive carbon production.

It was a demonstration of the different philosophies of the main parties. The Liberal view is “we would like to do it but, after costing, we cannot afford to so we won’t”. The Labor philosophy is “we would like to do it so we will no matter the cost to the economy”. Kevin Rudd and Julia Gillard both followed this philosophy. Voters have to ask themselves which philosophy is better for Australia.

Ray Warren, Mandurah, WA

While watching the leaders’ debate I found myself thinking of an old Greek story. Bill Shorten came closest to the politician depicted in the story. Back in Ancient Greece there was an election. The leader of one of the parties started going around the country campaigning for his party, promising all sorts of things if his party was voted into government. Speaking to a crowd on one of the Greek islands, he declared: “My party will built you bridges.” Someone in the gathering shouted, “But we’ve got no rivers.” “We’ll bring you rivers,” was the politician’s reply.

Kon Parris, North Parramatta, NSW

The Prime Minister? In front by a country mile. On song with policy detail, confident and able to quote figures where applicable. Bill Shorten? Unable to support his socialist agenda with the relevant costings, vague and abstruse with his answers.

Owen Reid, Dunlop, ACT

It comes as no surprise that the audience of so-called “undecided voters” gave the debate to Bill Shorten. In all my years of following politics, I don’t recall an audience giving the nod to a Coalition leader, even in 2013 when Tony Abbott went on to win the election in a landslide. The concept is flawed and has more in common with a reality TV show where viewers get to vote someone off. Anyone who is genuinely uncommitted a few weeks out from an election is, by definition, someone disinterested in politics. Spare us the corny theatre and vox pop, and just have a real debate before journalists at the National Press Club.

John McLeod, Maroochydore, Qld

On the franking credits issue both leaders do not appear to be across the detail. After backtracking on the original policy within a week of announcement due to hundreds of thousands of part or full age pensioners being affected, the ALP excluded age pensioners. But only those on the pension at that date. The thousands of people becoming age pensioners in the meantime are caught with this unfair tax grab — so it is false for Bill Shorten to claim otherwise. Second, the pensioners do not have to have a SMSF to be affected — just a low taxable income (below $18,000).

Morrison lost two opportunities in the debate to hammer these points and highlight the gross unfairness of this policy.

Jim Neville, Petersham, NSW

Playing to the script summed up the first of the debates between Scott Morrison and Bill Shorten. If voters are expecting any kind of rigorous debate about the nation’s future in a complex world, then they will be waiting for a very long time.

Helen Scheller, Benalla, Vic

Predictably, Bill Shorten played the smart Alec jokester schoolboy (getting the laughs) in the debate knowing he couldn’t or wouldn’t compete on fact and substance. Why didn’t the “selected” audience call him out, exposing him as such?

Tom Davis, Mosman Park, WA

The audience at the first leaders debate were identified as undecided. This is not explained or verified in any real sense, yet yesterday’s headlines place emphasis on this small number as somehow representing a win for Bill Shorten as significant. As with all previous leaders’ debates and programs such as the ABC’s Q&A the bias of audiences is totally misleading and doesn’t deserve any recognition by the media.

R T. Hawksley, Benowa, Qld

The result had to have been stacked. Scott Morrison won hands down.

Ian Kent, Renmark, SA