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Twitter Totally Savaged The 'Boring' Leaders' Debate

'When have you last watched 40 minutes of television more boring than you've just watched?'
Twitter was not impressed with either leader's
Fairfax Media
Twitter was not impressed with either leader's

Malcolm Turnbull and Bill Shorten had their first proper head-to-head debate of the 2016 election campaign.

After weeks on the campaign trail, sending barbs at each other via press conferences and social media, the two leaders met in Canberra at the National Press Club, and it was... utterly boring, if you asked most of the viewers voicing their opinions on social media.

While the Prime Minister and Opposition Leader sparred lightly on tax and health, education and climate change, asylum seekers and superannuation, they both seemed very happy to keep it mostly civil and not get their hands dirty. Not yet, at least; remember, there's still five weeks to go until the July 2 election day.

Turnbull and Shorten didn't tell us anything we didn't already know, as the hour-long "debate" simply turned into a back-and-forth speech as both men outlined the policies we already knew in stump speeches and talking points we've already heard. It was safe and dour, from all accounts, and while neither man took a fatal blow, social media users were not shy in sharing how they felt, with political types, journalists and #AusPol buffs sounding off.

Quite a few thought of better things to do.

However, others directed their scorn at the media itself, for forcing politicians into giving middle-of-the-road public appearances.

Sucked in Australian media types - you punish risk, spontaneity and interaction from pollies and this is precisely what you get. #nosympathy

— Peter Phelps MLC (@PeterPhelpsMLC) May 29, 2016

And another even gave some tips for the next debate, whenever that may be...

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