Scott Morrison and Bill Shorten have clashed on asylum seekers, policy costings and electric cars in the first leaders' debate of the federal election campaign on Monday night.
While neither leaders landed any decisive blows on their opponent, the studio audience judged Mr Shorten the winner.
Twenty-five of the 48 people found the Opposition Leader's performance more convincing with just 12 giving it to Scott Morrison.
During the hour-long debate, the leaders responded to questions submitted by the public on trust, tax, climate and border protection.
Mr Morrison was asked if he had lied when he said earlier this year that there would be an influx of asylum seekers.
But the prime minister was unfazed by the question.
"That was the advice of the secretary of the home affairs," Mr Morrison told viewers, before going on to say the announced re-opening of the Christmas Island detention centre has acted as a deterrent.
The centre is set to close by July without a single asylum seeker or refugee going to the island.
Mr Shorten was also grilled on Labor's record on border policy. He said he now agreed with the Coalition's policy on boat turnbacks to prevent deaths at sea.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison. Source: AAP
'People deserve to know'
Mr Morrison hammered Mr Shorten for failing to put a figure on the cost of Labor's more ambitious climate policy to cut emissions by 45 per cent by 2030.
"He's not telling you what the cost of change is," Mr Morrison told viewers in his closing address. "Voting's started, people deserve to know what the cost of change is."
When he was asked earlier to reveal the cost of the policy, Mr Shorten said it was not possible to give a number.
"I can categorically say that if we don't take real action on climate change that will be a disaster for our economy," Mr Shorten responded.
Opposition Leader Bill Shorten arrived for the debate with his wife Chloe Shorten. Source: AAP
While the Labor leader appeared briefly stumped when asked how much a new electric car cost, he recovered quickly.
"I haven't bought a new car in a while so I couldn't tell you," he quipped.
Mr Morrison chimed in with an answer of $28,000.
"That's great, we have a prime minister spending his times in the motor pages, that's super," Mr Shorten said.
Mr Morrison responded: "That's what most Australians do, they read about cars, they read about the footy, they read about the races."
This was one of a handful of exchanges between the pair, who spent most of the time addressing their answers to the viewers on the other side of the camera.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Opposition Leader Bill Shorten shake hands before the first leaders debate in Perth. Source: AAP
Mr Morrison won the toss and opened with an appeal echoing his statement at the beginning of the campaign, reminding voters about the government's economic credentials.
"Our plan is to keep that going because we are facing stiff headwinds into the future for our economy," Mr Morrison told viewers.
Mr Shorten countered with criticism about the "chaos and turmoil" within the government and promising action on climate change.
"I'm optimistic about Australia's future, I believe that when we invest in people - that when we aim to be our best - there's no holding our country back."
With early voting already underway, the debate took on greater importance.
Race tightens
A Newspoll released on Sunday night in The Australian shows the Coalition has narrowed the polling gap with Labor, trailing only 51 per cent to 49 per cent in the two-party preferred vote.
Another debate is scheduled to be broadcast on Sky News from Brisbane on Friday, but the prime minister has already called for a third in prime time.
Mr Shorten wants a third debate to be held at lunchtime at the National Press Club.
Mr Morrison released a letter on Sunday evening calling for a third debate to be moderated by ABC journalist Leigh Sales and held on the evening of May 7, 8 or 9.
"A prime-time debate would provide as many Australians as possible, including those who work during the day, the best opportunity to scrutinise the very clear choice on offer at this election," the letter said.
The letter also said the third debate wouldn't prevent the two leaders going head-to-head again and doesn't rule out the Nine Network's proposal to host a debate.
Campaigning continues
Mr Shorten is still in Perth on Tuesday to announce a $1 billion program to help up to 4000 schools put solar panels on their roofs
"Schools are an excellent location for solar investment and the creation of virtual power plants, because they often don't use energy at times of peak demand," Mr Shorten said.
"Annual savings from reduced electricity costs alone have been estimated to be up to $89,000 for a large school in NSW, or $15,000 for a small school."
The Clean Energy Finance Corporation will provide $1 billion in cheap loans to schools so they can install the solar panels.
Mr Morrison is also still in Perth on Tuesday and he will announce $20 million to put 2600 CCTV cameras at 500 crime hot spots around the country.
"Australians are entitled to feel safe in their own homes and within their local communities," Mr Morrison said.
The coalition is aiming to hold Attorney-General Christian Porter's seat of Pearce, on a margin of 3.8 per cent, and Aged Care Minister Ken Wyatt's seat of Hasluck, on a margin of 2.1 per cent.
But the Liberals are also targeting Labor MP Anne Aly's seat of Cowan, which she holds by just 0.7 per cent.
Mining billionaire Andrew "Twiggy" Forrest will host a fundraiser for Mr Morrison on Tuesday night, two days after he hosted a similar one for Mr Shorten.
Additional reporting by AAP
