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Version 2 Version 3
Australian election debates: Shorten and Turnbull compete on different channels – live Australian election debates: Shorten and Turnbull compete on different channels – live
(35 minutes later)
11.36am BST
11:36
Just an observation: not one question on budget management for Bill Shorten tonight. Not one question on negative gearing. I’ve been struck by the absence of voter concern on negative gearing at these forums throughout the campaign. I really thought that issue would be hotter with voters than it is.
I’ll post a summary next.
11.28am BST
11:28
Bill Shorten wins over the voters in Brisbane
The audience data is in.
57 voters were more likely to vote Labor, 16 less likely and 27 undecided.
Bill Shorten would be happy with that result.
11.26am BST
11:26
11.24am BST
11:24
And with that, the prime minister departs the studio. I suspect he would have had an easier time of it in Brisbane.
11.22am BST
11:22
A few questions to finish. On same sex marriage, Turnbull says he thinks the change will get through the parliament. No doubt he says.
I will say that I support same sex marriage, legalising same sex marriage and I will certainly be voting yes in the plebiscite.
Q: Hillary Clinton is officially the Democrat candidate for US president. Would a Turnbull government prefer to deal with a Clinton administration than a Trump White House?
Malcolm Turnbull:
You may say that but I couldn’t possibly comment.
11.19am BST
11:19
Q: What do you think has happened that you have lost that chunk of approval?
Malcolm Turnbull:
I am not going to be drawn into that kind of introspection. My job is to focus on the needs of Australians.
11.17am BST
11:17
'I have noted the polling but I don’t take any notice of it.'
Q: I started with the two benchmarks that you set for yourself. Let’s shift to the polling. You said in your first interview as PM on this program that nobody looks at opinion polls more than politicians. Let’s continue in that vain of frank honesty. Your personal popularity has dropped 50 points since that day, you can’t not be bothered by that. What has gone wrong?
Malcolm Turnbull says he’s focus is elsewhere.
Would you agree that fall in your approval rating, because you have established you are interested in polling, can only reflect that people have been disappointed in you?
Malcolm Turnbull:
I have noted the polling but I don’t take any notice of it.
11.14am BST
11:14
Then why are you launching pantomime-ish attacks on Labor.
Q: Why do you keep exaggerating in the language that you use - you say they are declaring a war on the family businesses of Australia, that they want to stand in the way. Even if you disagree with their policies, you are really saying they are declaring a war and want to stand in the way?
Malcolm Turnbull:
I assume - leaving aside the metaphors -
Q: You are the one who has said them -
Malcolm Turnbull:
Fair enough, that is a choice of language.
Q: Why are you doing that?
Malcolm Turnbull:
It is important to call it out for what it is. Let me just -
Q: You are not. My point in my question is that you are exaggerating it and I am wondering why the first interview you did on this program when you became PM, you said you wanted to engage with voters in away that wanted to respect their intelligence. Is exaggerating a point respecting their intelligence?
Malcolm Turnbull:
I am not exaggerating, if I can answer the question I will do so.
11.10am BST
11:10
Malcolm Turnbull was pushed on what a business tax cut means for ordinary people.
Q: I am not sure – does that message connect with people who struggle to pay for childcare, who go to the emergency room at the hospital and they have a long wait? It takes them an hour to commute to work. I am wondering if the way you frame that message connects with people?
Malcolm Turnbull:
Everybody knows that their prosperity depends on the prosperity of their employer. If they are working for a business, as most people are, working in the private sector, they want to know that their business is doing well, the company they are working for is investing, is growing, is able to retain more of its earnings and put more back into the business. Everything we are doing is going to encourage more investment.
Updated
at 11.14am BST
11.08am BST
11:08
Brisbane is a wrap.
Catching up in Sydney.
Q: The company tax cut is the centrepiece of your economic policy –
Malcolm Turnbull:
It is one of the very important elements.
Q: In practical terms, what would that deliver to a household where dad is a policeman and mum is a teacher?
Malcolm Turnbull:
It delivers stronger economic growth –
Q: What does that mean to them?
Malcolm Turnbull:
It means greater opportunities, it means more jobs. It means stronger economy, they have got better prospects in everything they do.
Updated
at 11.10am BST
11.05am BST
11:05
Back in Brisbane, Bill Shorten is asked about justice for asylum seekers.
The Labor leader says Labor wants to stop the drownings at sea but will do more to ensure people aren’t detained indefinitely.
David Speers asks whether Shorten will put a timetable on getting people out of offshore detention. Bill Shorten says it would be stupid to do that, so he won’t.
Updated
at 11.10am BST
11.02am BST11.02am BST
11:0211:02
In Sydney.In Sydney.
Q: When you challenged Tony Abbott, you cited two reasons. Poor polling and the lack of a coherent economic message. I would like to discuss your performance against those two benchmarks that you set your yourself, starting with the economy, do you accept far from establishing a coherent message, your delay in announcing policy and your wishy washiness has confused and disillusioned voters? Q: When you challenged Tony Abbott, you cited two reasons. Poor polling and the lack of a coherent economic message. I would like to discuss your performance against those two benchmarks that you set your yourself, starting with the economy. Do you accept far from establishing a coherent message, your delay in announcing policy and your wishy washiness has confused and disillusioned voters?
Malcolm Turnbull:Malcolm Turnbull:
Everyone in Australia understands that we do have a plan for jobs and growth and they understand that it has a number of elements, innovation, defence industry investment, the export trade deals, employment programs and business tax cuts.Everyone in Australia understands that we do have a plan for jobs and growth and they understand that it has a number of elements, innovation, defence industry investment, the export trade deals, employment programs and business tax cuts.
Q: You took a long time to get there and hasn’t that left people confused?Q: You took a long time to get there and hasn’t that left people confused?
Malcolm Turnbull:Malcolm Turnbull:
I believe that the message is very clearly understood that there is one party or one coalition of parties, the Liberal/National coalition, one government which I am the prime minister, which has a clear plan for jobs and growth.I believe that the message is very clearly understood that there is one party or one coalition of parties, the Liberal/National coalition, one government which I am the prime minister, which has a clear plan for jobs and growth.
We have laid it out.We have laid it out.
Updated
at 11.11am BST
10.58am BST10.58am BST
10:5810:58
In Brisbane, number thirteen is about family payments for large families. The lady asking the question has eight children.In Brisbane, number thirteen is about family payments for large families. The lady asking the question has eight children.
Bill Shorten says he wants to talk to her after the forum. He wants to understand her current circumstances rather than spouting generalities.Bill Shorten says he wants to talk to her after the forum. He wants to understand her current circumstances rather than spouting generalities.
David Speers wants Shorten to acknowledge Labor’s position on cutting family payments for large families.David Speers wants Shorten to acknowledge Labor’s position on cutting family payments for large families.
Shorten says not everybody’s life fits into a Sky News interview.Shorten says not everybody’s life fits into a Sky News interview.
Question fourteen is about fracking.Question fourteen is about fracking.
Bill Shorten says Labor supports a water trigger to determine whether CSG projects proceed. He also says there will be no Commonwealth money for the Adani coal mine. Bill Shorten says Labor supports a water trigger to determine whether CSG projects proceed. He also says there will be no commonwealth money for the Adani coalmine.
David Speers asks Shorten whether Adani should be stopped. The Labor leader repeats his formulation about no government money.David Speers asks Shorten whether Adani should be stopped. The Labor leader repeats his formulation about no government money.
Updated
at 11.11am BST
10.53am BST10.53am BST
10:5310:53
Back in Sydney.Back in Sydney.
Q: What is your one signature achievement as a government?Q: What is your one signature achievement as a government?
Malcolm Turnbull:Malcolm Turnbull:
Overall is that strong economic growth. That is – at the end of day, some people have got comfortable jobs and are feeling happy and certain in their destiny. Many Australians are concerned about the security of their job, the prospects for their business, the security for their children’s jobs. Everywhere I go people talk to me about the prospects for their children. I am the only leader in this election that is setting out a clear economic plan that will deliver stronger economic growth and more jobs and better jobs and take advantage of the great opportunities in the current economic environment.Overall is that strong economic growth. That is – at the end of day, some people have got comfortable jobs and are feeling happy and certain in their destiny. Many Australians are concerned about the security of their job, the prospects for their business, the security for their children’s jobs. Everywhere I go people talk to me about the prospects for their children. I am the only leader in this election that is setting out a clear economic plan that will deliver stronger economic growth and more jobs and better jobs and take advantage of the great opportunities in the current economic environment.
Q: I will come to some of the looking forward things in a minute. What you have nominated as your signature is your economic record. You go back to before the last election and the Coalition was campaigning on what it considered to be Labor’s atrocious levels of spending and the size of the deficit. Both of those two things, there has been no improvement, in fact quite the opposite?Q: I will come to some of the looking forward things in a minute. What you have nominated as your signature is your economic record. You go back to before the last election and the Coalition was campaigning on what it considered to be Labor’s atrocious levels of spending and the size of the deficit. Both of those two things, there has been no improvement, in fact quite the opposite?
Malcolm Turnbull:Malcolm Turnbull:
We inherited a terrible mess from the Labor party.We inherited a terrible mess from the Labor party.
Q: You have had three years!Q: You have had three years!
UpdatedUpdated
at 10.55am BSTat 10.55am BST
10.50am BST10.50am BST
10:5010:50
Back to Brisbane, a question on the sharing economy, number twelve, and would Bill Shorten do a face swap snap chat with Malcolm Turnbull?Back to Brisbane, a question on the sharing economy, number twelve, and would Bill Shorten do a face swap snap chat with Malcolm Turnbull?
Yes, to that question. On sharing economy, Bill Shorten says he’s into Uber and AirBnB, but it shouldn’t be the “wild west.”Yes, to that question. On sharing economy, Bill Shorten says he’s into Uber and AirBnB, but it shouldn’t be the “wild west.”
Question thirteen is on contractors, workers being exploited, what will Labor do?Question thirteen is on contractors, workers being exploited, what will Labor do?
Bill Shorten says Labor thinks there should be contracting and labour hire but he thinks there should be transparency and better protection for people on temporary visas.Bill Shorten says Labor thinks there should be contracting and labour hire but he thinks there should be transparency and better protection for people on temporary visas.
UpdatedUpdated
at 10.55am BSTat 10.55am BST
10.46am BST10.46am BST
10:4610:46
'I am looking forward''I am looking forward'
Back in Sydney.Back in Sydney.
Q: You are talking about going forward. I was referring to your record in your three years in government?Q: You are talking about going forward. I was referring to your record in your three years in government?
Malcolm Turnbull:Malcolm Turnbull:
Our record is good. In 2015 we had 3% growth in GDP. It is now 3.1% the last figures. We had over 300,000 jobs created, the highest number of jobs created in Australia since before the GFC.Our record is good. In 2015 we had 3% growth in GDP. It is now 3.1% the last figures. We had over 300,000 jobs created, the highest number of jobs created in Australia since before the GFC.
Q: Then you come up against this problem that if your record was so good, why did you have to dump a first-term PM?Q: Then you come up against this problem that if your record was so good, why did you have to dump a first-term PM?
Malcolm Turnbull:Malcolm Turnbull:
I am looking forward. My job as PM is to ensure that our children and grandchildren have the best opportunities in the future and we do that by securing our economic future with our national economic plan.I am looking forward. My job as PM is to ensure that our children and grandchildren have the best opportunities in the future and we do that by securing our economic future with our national economic plan.
Q: You would have to understand voters make their decision looking at your record as well as what you are promising?Q: You would have to understand voters make their decision looking at your record as well as what you are promising?
Malcolm Turnbull:Malcolm Turnbull:
Our record is strong. Look at what we have done in terms of economic growth.Our record is strong. Look at what we have done in terms of economic growth.
Q: I come back to the same point. If your record is strong, why did you have to replace a first-term PM?Q: I come back to the same point. If your record is strong, why did you have to replace a first-term PM?
Malcolm Turnbull:Malcolm Turnbull:
The record is strong.The record is strong.
UpdatedUpdated
at 10.54am BSTat 10.54am BST
10.42am BST
10:42
Back in Brisbane question eleven is penalty rates: we need them because cost of living is so high.
Bill Shorten says he’s confident that Labor can protect penalty rates.
David Speers says what will you do if the Fair Work Commission rules against Sunday penalties?
Bill Shorten:
I trust the system to protect the interests [of workers].
I’ve got complete confidence the independent umpire is the best protection for workers in this country.
Updated
at 10.57am BST
10.39am BST
10:39
Malcolm Turnbull fronts 7.30
While Bill Shorten says the election is a referendum on whether there would be a banking royal commission, Malcolm Turnbull has entered the ABC studios.
Q: Why should Australians re-elect a government that considered its own performance so poor that it dumped a first term PM and the economy has basically tread water for three years?
Malcolm Turnbull:
We have a national economic plan for jobs and growth and we have delivered elements of that plan already. Part of our plan is big trade export deals. We have opened up huge markets in Asia which are driving investment and growth and employment right across the country. Our economy is in transition from a big mining construction boom, which fuelled up economic activity here and employment. That has declined as it was always going to. Where do we get the growth story going forward? We have set in place a plan that will deliver that and is delivering that.
Updated
at 10.57am BST
10.36am BST
10:36
Tenth question is will we have a Greek financial crisis. (I think).
Bill Shorten says no, there will be no Greek financial crisis and then he dives bank into cultural issues with the banks. We need that royal commission.
Updated
at 10.54am BST
10.34am BST
10:34
Ninth question is about the CFMEU and industrial action. Does he support stoppages in construction?
Bill Shorten says he has no time for anyone abusing their industrial influence, employers or unions. He slips the banks in then. He’d like a royal commission into the banks.
10.32am BST
10:32
Eighth question is about climate change.
Bill Shorten says he likes the old Malcolm Turnbull better than the new Malcolm Turnbull on climate change, he likes the fellow who believed in action. This is a line he uses frequently. He says Labor supports renewables and public transport to get cars off the road.
10.29am BST
10:29
Seventh question is about agriculture and dam building. Does Labor support both?
Bill Shorten says yes, Labor supports agriculture and dams where the evidence suggests they are necessary.
For me dams will be guided by science and the economy.
10.28am BST
10:28
Sixth question is about superannuation (with a side of disappointment about Malcolm Turnbull’s absence from tonight’s proceedings). What’s wrong with using super for wealth creation? And will politicians wind back their super as well?
Bill Shorten says the point of concessional taxation for super is to encourage savings for retirement. He says governments making changes to the system drives people bonkers. Shorten is going through the history of changes to the system, including Labor’s proposed changes this election to tax the earnings above $75,000. Any change should not be retrospective. He says concessions at the top end need to be wound back, but prospectively. Shorten says politicians’ super is now less generous than it used to be.
Updated
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10.21am BST
10:21
Fifth question is about Labor’s mistakes in 2008, during the stimulus in the Rudd/GFC era. What would Labor do differently?
Bill Shorten says not everything in the stimulus was bad. The insulation program was very badly managed but you learn from your mistakes, he says. The school upgrades were good. On learnings, Shorten says Labor has learned to be upfront, to seek a mandate, to lay it out in advance. On infrastructure, he says things would be more carefully managed. He says the stimulus did keep Australia out of recession.
David Speers asks him whether Labor would offer stimulus again? A bit, if necessary, Shorten says, adding he doesn’t see another GFC immediately on the horizon.
Updated
at 10.53am BST
10.16am BST
10:16
Fourth question is why does Shorten think people are voting for independents?
The Labor leader says people think politics is too buttoned up, too stage managed. He says in this election Labor has been the opposite of buttoned up. The opposition is taking risks, being big target. Acting on climate change. Winding back negative gearing.
These have been in the too hard basket for too long.
Shorten says voters want a positive vision for the future, they want inclusion. They don’t want negativity. Shorten says lots of negative things will come Labor’s way in the remaining weeks.
Updated
at 10.52am BST
10.12am BST
10:12
Third question is on the backpacker tax, will Labor dump it?
Bill Shorten says Labor will review the tax and consult industries like horticulture.
David Speers:
Have you banked it in your costings?
Wait and see, Shorten tells Speers.