Overview

• Donald Trump's tariff war has significantly impacted global markets, with Australian equities dropping over 7% in two weeks and the dollar falling below US60¢.
• Jim Chalmers criticized the Coalition's economic plan, accusing it of planning 'secret cuts' that could undermine essential services and worsen living standards.
• Angus Taylor defended the Coalition's proposal, emphasizing statutory guarantees for health and education spending and promoting business investment to counter economic challenges.
• The debate highlighted conflicting views on recession risks, with Chalmers rejecting predictions of an economic downturn and accusing the opposition of misrepresenting forecasts.
• Both leaders framed their economic strategies as crucial to protecting Australians during global uncertainty, but neither offered detailed solutions to structural fiscal challenges.