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Federal Election 2016 Live: Leaders' Debate between Malcolm Turnbull and Bill Shorten

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - MAY 13:  Opposition Leader Bill Shorten talks to media at Domremy College on May 13, 2016 in Sydney, ...
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - MAY 13: Opposition Leader Bill Shorten talks to media at Domremy College on May 13, 2016 in Sydney, Australia. Leader of the Australian Labor Party Bill Shorten is in Western Sydney today ahead of his first debate against Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull. Turnbull announced an election to be held on July 2, with all 150 House of Representatives seats and 76 Senate seats up for election. (Photo by Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images) Photo: Mark Metcalfe

Okay that's it from me, Alex and Andrew.

Thank you for joining us. We'll see you on the campaign trail soon.

And that's it.

Mr Shorten says he hopes people have a better idea of who he is after tonight.

Mr Shorten mentions health, education and climate change.

Mr Shorten says the election is not about who wants a better Australia "but how we get there".

"For me, it's about putting people first," he concludes.

Mr Turnbull starts talking about schools and hospitals but says it is not just a race to spend more money.

He says the Coalition has "a clear economic plan" that will bring down the deficit.

Under Labor it would be "a deficit and a mountain of debt".

 

 

And that's it for the question.

Both leaders now get to sum up.

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Mr Shorten says it would be "reckless" of him to put a specific date on that outcome until he sees the updated budget papers.

Mr Turnbull says he is "trying to bring down the deficit".

A man asks: "When are going to bring the budget back into surplus and when are you going to pay off the debt?"

(This is the last question.)

Mr Turnbull says the government wants to test children at five, rather than at nine, because then teachers could intervene and work out what children need.

"We know that we need to invest in schools and we are," Mr Turnbull says.

A man in the audience wants to know what the parties are doing about education.

Mr Shorten says "anyone who tells you that money doesn't matter in education is selling you a pig and a pope".

Children need access to all kinds of education like music, he says.

Mr Turnbull mentions that the Coalition wants to change the childcare system but the Senate has been unhelpful.

Senator Arthur Sinodinos and Mr Turnbull's daughter Daisy during the debate.
Senator Arthur Sinodinos and Mr Turnbull's daughter Daisy during the debate. Photo: Andrew Meares
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A woman with two small children is looking at going back to work but says even though she earns a decent wage she would be paying $45,000 a year for childcare which equates to $2 an hour. She gets the biggest applause of the night so far.

Mr Shorten says Labor wants to put more money into childcare but wants to direct more towards families earning up to $80,000.

Mr Turnbull says he "shares your concern as a grandfather". 

Chloe Shorten during the debate.
Chloe Shorten during the debate. Photo: Andrew Meares

A gentleman would like to know about funding for regional hospitals and whether it will keep pace with funding for metropolitan hospitals.

Mr Turnbull says hospitals are managed by the states but he is concerned that "patients get the best service and the best value". He points out the Coalition represents more regional seats and so is very interested in making sure services are up to scratch.

Not even the former NSW premier is watching this:

Mr Shorten verbally rolls his eyes: "I bet they just went home and changed their practises after a lecture from you."

Windsor RSL during the debate.
Windsor RSL during the debate. Photo: Alex Ellinghausen

A questioner would like to know why the government isn't tougher on banks.

Mr Shorten said he would be and points to Labor's calls for a royal commission.

Mr Turnbull says he was very stern when he spoke to bankers at Westpac's birthday celebrations a while ago.

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Mr Turnbull is asked, twice, whether there are excesses in the system of negative gearing.

"The system is well managed," he says.

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and Opposition Leader Bill Shorten.
Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and Opposition Leader Bill Shorten. Photo: Andrew Meares

Mr Shorten says he is happy to believe the Reserve Bank of Australia on negative gearing.

Real estate agents do not get to decide policy, he says.

Mr Turnbull is asked how he knows that Labor's negative gearing policy will drive up rents.

"Anyone with common sense knows that it will," Mr Turnbull says.

Real estate agents know what they're talking about and they say rents will go up, Mr Turnbull says.

 

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull on Friday night.
Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull on Friday night. Photo: Andrew Meares

Mr Shorten says he'll be straight.

He says superannuation cannot be used for housing but says the woman is right, the budget "is a joke" because "you who earn $80,00 a year, there is nothing there for you".

Mr Turnbull starts talking about negative gearing but it brought back to the point.

The woman persists: "Fair enough we need big business but we need a home to live in and a rood over our heads. That money [superannuation] is just pointless."

"The purpose of superannuation is to provide for people in retirement," Mr Turnbull says.

He is ruling out allowing people to use their super for housing.

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull on Friday night.
Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull on Friday night. Photo: Andrew Meares
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