Federal election 2016: Leaders’ debate gets in your Facebook

Malcolm Turnbull and Bill Shorten go head-to-head in an Australian election campaign first — an online debate | LIVE VIDEO

Join us at The Australian online from 5.30pm for live video coverage of the debate.

Malcolm Turnbull and Bill Shorten will to go head-to-head in an Australian election campaign first — an online debate hosted by Facebook and News Corp Australia.

The two leaders will battle it out from 6pm tonight in the debate that will be live streamed via Facebook Live.

They’ll take questions submitted by voters on Facebook, with journalist Joe Hildebrand as moderator.

Join us at theaustralian.com.au from 5.30pm for live video coverage of the debate.

Some of the questions lodged so far:

* How can people have confidence the leaders we vote for will remain in office? It doesn’t matter what you talk about because it might change over night or at morning coffee.

— Brandon Smith

* Can you guarantee us retail employees that our penalty rates for working Sundays/public holidays will be protected?

— LeRoy Murray

* As “moderate Malcolm” you had an incredible popularity rating and had the support of a huge cross section of Australians. Why have you squandered that by pandering to the extreme right of your party?

— Douglas Reid

* How are you going to tackle the increasing problem of mental health issues, under-resourced mental health facilities that are choked with drug-related violent individuals while those who are non-drug affected mentally ill miss out?

— Daryl Bunny Meredith

* Will either of you make a commitment to stop politicians’ unnecessary overseas travel for so-called study tours and create stricter rules on wasteful politicians’ perks?

— Brett Dengate

... and from left field:

* For Malcolm Turnbull: I’m interested to know why you constantly blink during interviews. Do you have an eye affliction or is it because you lie when answering questions?

— Steve Gorter

* What is your shoe size?

— Aydan Barnes

* If they were true blue Australian why don’t (they) wear their budgie smugglers on Bondi beach, and (have) a true debate (for) real people?

— Duane A Robertson

* When are we going to exit the UN?

— Michael Hare

* How will you feel when Pauline (Hanson) gets in and sorts you clowns out?

— Wayne Jones

-AAP