Andrew Constance: 'Election has got to be about the community'

NSW Liberal candidate Andrew Constance said it was "quite clear" Prime Minister Scott Morrison was across the important issues during the first leaders debate of the 2022 Federal Election, despite the audience voting in favour of the Opposition.

Labor leader Anthony Albanese claimed victory in the debate with the audience voting in his favour, 40 per cent compared to 35 per cent for the Prime Minister.

"I felt the PM was across the issues a little bit more than the leader of opposition," Mr Constance told Today.

READ MORE: Leaders clash in first big debate of the election

Mr Albanese clashed with the Prime Minister on support for border security and the economy, but Mr Constance said the election needs to be about community.

"I think because we've just been in an information vacuum with COVID-19, it's been a lot going on," he said.

"At the moment people are doing it tough, the election has got to be about the community. It can't just be about pollies.

"People are exhausted, Australians are exhausted. Their welfares are a little bit down because of what's gone on with COVID-19 and floods and fires.

"We can't leave Australia like this - it is about talking about it and being honest about it. There's no doubt certainly in terms of the politics over the next five weeks, I don't like presidential-style campaigns, I think you have got to look locally, look at the policies and go from there."

On being honest, the Liberal candidate was upfront on how he really felt about Mr Morrison.

"Do you like the Prime Minister?" Today host Karl Stefanovic asked.

READ MORE: 'Are people being misled about the state of the economy?'

"Absolutely. Easy question," Mr Constance said.

"We've had our moments as you know, I've had my moments with the media."

But Karl asked how can Mr Constance work with the Prime Minister when there are people out there who say he clearly doesn't like Mr Morrison.

"How do you go and work with him when you've had moments like that?" he asked.

"I've got enormous regard for him. He's had times in Australia which we haven't seen since World War II and particularly out of the pandemic," Mr Constance said.

"I mean, it is a tough call to turn those planes back from China which is the time for state governments to get the ICU capacity.

"At that time no-one knew what was going to happen to Australia, we have come through it well.

"There is no doubt that the pressure that must be on him every day, I think he's withstood it very well."

Watch the full interview with Mr Constance above

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