Opposition Leader Anthony Albanese has claimed a narrow win from the first leaders' debate, as he seeks to use the performance as a springboard for the rest of week two of the election campaign.
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During Wednesday night's televised debate between Mr Albanese and Prime Minister Scott Morrison in Brisbane, the Opposition leader won more of the support from the group of 100 undecided voters.
Mr Albanese received 40 per cent of the vote, compared with 35 per cent for Mr Morrison, as 25 per cent of the crowd remained undecided.
Both leaders will start the day in Brisbane before heading to campaign in marginal seats on day 11 of the campaign.
While the prime minister used Wednesday's debate to spruik his economic record, he copped criticism for saying he and his wife were "blessed" to have children who did not have disabilities.
The comments came after an audience question over NDIS funding from the mother of an autistic child who had their support on the scheme slashed by 30 per cent.
The two leaders also traded blows over stances on boat turnbacks.
Mr Morrison accused the Opposition leader of being inconsistent on the issue and brought back Labor's policy from when they were last in office.
Following news of the Solomon Islands signing a security pact with China, Mr Albanese criticised Mr Morrison on foreign policy failings, while also labelling Pacific Minister Zed Seselja a "junior burger".
"This isn't so much a Pacific step up, it's a Pacific stuff up," he said.
The prime minister said the issue in the Solomons was serious and one the government had been conscious of for a long time.
Both leaders received questions from the audience on a federal integrity commission, support for small business, and housing affordability, as well as trust in politics.
PRIME MINISTER SCOTT MORRISON
WIN: Mr Morrison claimed a win on the government's economic handling during the pandemic and recent budget turnaround. Support for small businesses was also a win for the coalition.
LOSS: Came in for criticism for handling of the NDIS and for suggesting he and his wife had been "blessed" for not having children that had a disability. The prime minister also came under fire on foreign policy following the situation in the Solomon Islands.
LABOR LEADER ANTHONY ALBANESE
WIN: Labor's position on aged care reform and funding for programs such as the NDIS was its win from the debate, along with strong calls for a federal integrity commission.
LOSS: Received repeated attacks and sustained questions from the prime minister about Labor's stance on boat turnbacks and position on the issue during Mr Albanese's stint as deputy prime minister.
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