Scott Morrison and Anthony Albanese clash in ‘combative’ leaders debate

Australia’s political leaders have sparred over the economy and national security, as two new opinion polls show Labor remains on track to win the federal election.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Labor leader Anthony Albanese confronted each other for the second leaders debate of the election campaign.

Mr Morrison spruiked his government’s economic credentials, while Mr Albanese argued the cost-of-living has spiraled under the Coalition’s watch.

Both leaders also sparred over Australia’s relationship with China, energy policy and integrity in politics.

“It was fierce and, at times, incredibly combative,” 9 News political reporter Jonathan Kearsley told 3AW Breakfast.

He said recent weeks had shown it was a “very personal” election contest for both leaders.

“It’s very, very clear that the two leaders dislike each other – that was evident last night,” he said.

Press PLAY below to hear Jonathan Kearsley’s review of the debate

The PM also admitted to making mistakes in the early phases of Australia’s COVID-19 vaccine rollout.

Mr Albanese grilled Mr Morrison over the slow procurement of injections.

Mr Morrison concedes he should’ve taken a different approach, admitting “it was a race” and shouldn’t have been described otherwise.

“We shouldn’t have described it in those terms.”

After being quizzed by Anthony Albanese, Scott Morrison admits that his now famous comments that the #COVID19 vaccine rollout was “not a race” were wrong. #LeadersDebate #60Mins

RECAP: https://t.co/HSeWEnXr76 pic.twitter.com/vHyCoOiY0u

— 9News Australia (@9NewsAUS) May 8, 2022

(Photo by James Brickwood – Pool/Getty Images)