Jim Chalmers and Josh Frydenberg (Image: AAP/Lukas Coch, Joel Carrett)

Treasurer Josh Frydenberg and Labor’s Treasury spokesman Jim Chalmers faced off in a debate at the National Press Club today.

The timing was awkward for the Coalition, a party that built its election platform on strong economic management and coming just a day after the Reserve Bank raised interest rates to 0.35%.

But it didn’t stop Frydenberg from swinging punches: he framed high inflation as a global issue caused by the pandemic and war in Ukraine, pointing to high employment rates and that many countries are doing worse as indicators of success. Labor would “always tax more [and] spend more”. 

But Chalmers was having none of it:

The treasurer has just lied to you. In every way that you measure tax in the budget, this government has taxed more than the last Labor government … The defining issue of this election is the full-blown cost-of-living crisis which has emerged on the Morrison government’s watch.

In a press conference from the ultra-marginal seat of Chisholm, in south-east Melbourne, this morning, Labor leader Anthony Albanese said his party has a plan for growth targeting education and childcare that won’t add to inflation. 

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Trade Minister Simon Birmingham have arrived in Boothby, South Australia. It’s an important marginal seat — outgoing Liberal MP Nicolle Flint is stepping down after suffering sexist and misogynistic harassment and online abuse. Liberal candidate Rachel Swift will face off with independent Jo Dyer, a theatre and film producer and friend of Kate, the woman who accused former attorney-general Christian Porter of historical rape (which Porter denies).

Morrison also announced today that backbencher Alan Tudge would rejoin cabinet as education minister if reelected. Tudge stepped aside after being accused of emotional and physical abuse during a relationship with former Liberal staffer Rachelle Miller, which Tudge denies. 

Both parties have made moves to address sexual violence. This morning the National Women’s Safety Alliance released its federal election policy statement with 20 key policy priorities. The statement comes just three days after Assistant Minister for Women Amanda Stoker gave a speech at an anti-abortion rally in Brisbane, which Morrison defended today: “It’s a free country.” 

Morrison also restated that despite the Coalition’s 2019 election promise to legislate a Commonwealth integrity commission, such a body could turn Australia into “some kind of public autocracy”.

Labor has promised to establish an anti-corruption commission by the end of the year if elected.