In a question that marked the beginning of an awkward exchange, Sales asked Shorten whether he had been "exposed" for taking a Malcolm Turnbull quote out of context, and whether this "tendency to overreach" was something he did generally. Leigh Sales prompts an answer from Bill Shorten. Credit:ABC 7.30 "This week you claimed a remark by Malcolm Turnbull, that what political parties say isn't what they do, and you said it was the defining moment of the campaign," Sales began. "You were exposed for taking it out of context, because he was talking about Labor, not about himself. Was it in fact the defining moment of your campaign, illustrating your tendency to overreach?" Shorten denied he had taken the quote out of context, insisting repeatedly that the Prime Minister had said "political parties", referencing both Labor and the Liberals.

"He said 'political parties' don't necessarily do after an election, words to that effect, he said 'political parties'," Shorten said. The Labor leader did not agree he had a "tendency to overreach" or that he had stretched the truth. Credit:ABC 7.30 Sales interjected: "In the context of a whole discussion about Labor." Shorten continued: "Yes, but when you use the plural 'political parties', you're not talking about two Labor parties, he's talking about his own. The truth of the matter is, this fellow is so confident that he's won the election that he's already giving himself a leave pass to break his promises. He said political parties, plural." Sales and Shorten consult their notes during the interview. Credit:ABC 7.30

Sales said the Turnbull remark "wasn't an isolated example of overreach". "You've continued to run the 15% GST scare campaign, you've claimed the government would privatise medicare when there's no such policy," the seasoned journalist said. "You yourself have said that genuine Australians can spot a fake from a mile away. Have you hurt your credibility by stretching the truth and switching course on policy a little bit too often?" "Well, not at all," Shorten said. "I don't accept that what Mr Turnbull said is just he was talking about the Labor party. This fellow blames everyone else when he says the wrong thing. He said political parties." The exchange was followed with several short, sharp reminders from Sales which prompted Shorten to speak about his policies, not those of the Liberals. "I think healthcare is the key issue on this-" Shorten said, before being urged by Sales to "wrap it up, please". "We're talking about your policies," Sales said. "So why are we talking about Mr Turnbull again?"