Morrison and Shorten clash over big issues in first campaign debate

Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Labor leader Bill Shorten have identified trust as the central issue of this election in the first leaders' debate.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Opposition Leader Bill Shorten before their first campaign debate. AAP Source: AAP

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.