Bill Shorten appeared taken aback on Sunrise on Monday morning when presenter David Koch plainly asked him: 'Why don't people like you?'
A Newspoll on Sunday night showed the Labor leader's approval rating had dropped four points to 35 per cent, with Prime Minister Scott Morrison's on 44 per cent.
Mr Koch started the interview by asking Mr Shorten if he has a popularity problem.
Mr Koch (pictured) started the interview by asking Mr Shorten if he has a popularity problem
'You have been judged to win the last two debates. Why do people not like you... in terms of the preferred Prime Minister poll?
Mr Shorten paused awkwardly before responding: 'I do not accept people don't like me or my policies.
'I made a rule for over 2,000 days where I have led a stable and united Labor Party.
'I'm not going to comment on polls and only have 13 days to go so I'm not going to break that now.'
Trying to move the conversation on, he added: 'I think when you look at the key in the election, the issue is do you want more of the same or is it time for real change?
'Do you want more chaos and cuts to services, or do we want to see real action on wages, cost of living, and of course climate change by a united team?'
But Mr Koch pressed Mr Shorten on his popularity problem, saying: 'Okay, you could say you ignore it, but it seems as though the more people see you, the more they don't like you. What don't people get about you?'
Australian Opposition Leader Bill Shorten (centre) at the launch of Labor's federal election campaign at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre
A Newspoll on Sunday night showed the Labour leader's approval rating had dropped four points to 35 per cent. Pictured: Mr Shorten on Sunrise
He went on to ask why Mr Shorten got his wife, Chloe, to address crowds at a speech in Brisbane on Sunday.
'Last night, your wife was a real star of the show, having to explain what a nice bloke you are,' Mr Koch said.
Mr Shorten dodged the question, saying: 'I was really pleased that she spoke... I was just wrapped.'
Mr Koch continued his line of questioning, saying: 'In terms of a reflection, do you need her to come out to convince an Australian public that you are a decent bloke?'
The Labor leader replied: 'David, when you do appearances with [your wife] Libby, I don't think that you are not a decent person, but I think Libby presents another side of you. I think there is nothing wrong at all.'
Mr Shorten then switched the conversation to talk about his policies.
'Labor has put forward policies on how we will go forward,' he said.
'This country cannot go on for more of the same. You and I both know that wages are stagnating, the cost of childcare, there are plenty of people watching the show this morning, two income families, and where the second person is radically just working to pay off the childcare.
'Did you know that we are proposing a $2,000 subsidy per child per year. We can do this.'
Mr Koch then asked Mr Shorten how he's going to pay for these policies.
Bill Shorten speaks at the launch of Labor's federal election campaign in Brisbane on Sunday
'Give us the facts and the figures,' he said. 'You're going to save $5billion on
