Opposition leader Anthony Albanese and Prime Minister Scott Morrison traded barbs on issues ranging from the cost of living and character to national security and an anti-corruption commission in a heated leaders' debate on Sunday night.
In the hour-long debate, the two leaders faced a panel of three journalists including Nine political editor Chris Uhlmann, David Crowe from the Sydney Morning Herald and the Age and Deborah Knight from 2GB. The debate was hosted by 60 Minutes' reporter Sarah Abo.
Results of who performed better in the debate according to Nine's audience are still fluctuating as thousands of viewers cast their online votes.
But in the latest Newspoll released on Sunday night, Labor stretched its two-party-preferred lead to 54 per cent to the Coalition's 46 per cent.
Here's a round-up of what the leaders discussed during the debate.
National security clashes
The forum ended with a heated exchange over Australia's national security after the prime minister accused Labor's deputy leader Richard Marles of being "pro-Beijing".
Despite the Labor leader's attempt to intervene in the exchange, the two leaders spoke over one another, attacking each other's ability to take a strong stance against the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).
Mr Morrison pressed Mr Albanese on how many times his deputy leader has met with the Chinese ambassador in Australia, and accused Mr Marles of running "his speeches past the Chinese government".
"That is an outrageous slur," Mr Albanese responded.
'Why don't people trust you?'
Mr Morrison and Mr Albanese were both challenged on questions of their character.
During the debate, the prime minister said he understood why voters "felt bad about the government" after being confronted with claims that voters do not trust him as a leader.
"It has been a tough three years, particularly the last two years and I know over that period of time there would have been many disappointments, people would have disagreed with many things I did and would have a different view about how things might have been managed," he said.
"I can understand the hurt and the feelings that people have had coming out of a time like this."
Uhlmann listed Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce, former NSW premier Gladys Berejiklian and French president Emmanuel Macron as people who had questioned Mr Morrison’s honesty.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison (right) and Opposition Leader Anthony Albanese during the second leaders' debate ahead of the federal election at Nine Studios in Sydney. Source: AAP / Alex Ellinghausen
Meanwhile, the Labor leader was accused of not knowing his own policies and remaining a stranger to the Australian voters.
Mr Albanese on Thursday could not respond when asked by reporters seven times at a media conference to list the six-point plan to reform the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).
He said he believes Australians know what he stands for.
"I came out [of the womb] with three great faiths, the Labor Party, the Catholic Church and the South Sydney rugby league football club and I remain true to all three," he said.
Federal anti-corruption body back on the agenda
Mr Albanese has pushed the need for a federal anti-corruption commission, claiming
there is a "stench in Canberra at the moment".
"We need to make sure that we restore faith in the integrity of our political system," he said.
He said a Labor government would introduce legislation to enact a federal independent commission against corruption (ICAC) if he is elected.
The prime minister said he has not witnessed any form of corruption in his time as leader when asked directly if he has done so.
Clash on cost of living
The prime minister faced a grilling about his government's management of cost of living pressures.
Mr Morrison refused to accept claims that his government was responsible for rising inflation in Australia, pointing to "international factors" such as the war in Ukraine and disruption caused by the pandemic.
"But the way we have been able to address this issue is making sure we manage money wisely. Australia has maintained a triple-A credit rating, one of only nine countries in the world to do so during the pandemic," he said.
Mr Morrison touted the temporary fuel excise tax cut and one-off $250 payments to pensioners as among the measures his government had taken to help relieve the cost of living pressures.
"The problem with what Scott just said, the cost of living measures that he spoke about are all temporary, they have all the sincerity of a fake tan, they disappear once people have cast their vote and people are them back on their own again," Mr Albanese said.
The prime minister confirmed cuts to fuel excise will not be extended after September as costs continue to rise across Australia.
"It is well-designed, temporary, targeted and affordable," he said.
Mr Albanese has also confirmed a Labor government perceives the fuel excise cuts as temporary.
In his opening pitch, Mr Morrison described the choice between the Coalition and Labor as one between "a stronger future or a more uncertain future".
He asked voters to weigh up "what you know about the government and what you don't know about the Labor Party and the Opposition who have had three years to tell you but haven't".
Following the prime minister's statement, Mr Albanese told Australians their vote has the ability to change the country.
"The truth is, we cannot afford just three more years of the same, three more years of drift and neglect, three more years of not accepting responsibility. Your vote is powerful. Your vote can change the country," he said.
Both leaders started their opening pitches by wishing mothers around the country a happy Mother's Day.
First free-to-air TV debate
This debate was the first time the two leaders go head to head on free-to-air television in this election campaign after the first one was broadcast on Sky News.
This offering is the latest from SBS, following the first leaders' debate on 20 April, where live interpretations were provided in Arabic and Mandarin on SBS On Demand in an Australian first.
In the first debate, Mr Albanese secured a narrow win among the live audience, after 40 attendees backed Labor, with 35 behind Mr Morrison, and 25 left undecided.
The Labor leader and the prime minister will knuckle down for the third debate on 11 May, just over a week before the federal election.
The third debate will be on Channel Seven, with political editor Mark Riley hosting the event.
It is likely to be the final time the two leaders face off before voters head to the polls on 21 May.
