Morrison and Shorten go head-to-head in first debate of the campaign

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

Scott Morrison and Bill Shorten during the televised debate. Source: Seven Network

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.

There was no clear winner of the debate which saw the leaders respond to questions on trust, tax, climate and border protection.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison arrives for the first leaders debate of the campaign. Source: AAP

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 reopening 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.

Opposition Leader Bill Shorten arrived for the debate with his wife Chloe Shorten. Source: AAP

Mr Shorten was also grilled on Labor's record on border policy and said he now agreed with the Coalition's policy on boat turnbacks to prevent deaths at sea.