Abbott Pledges Stronger Australian Economy in Rudd Showdown
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Tony Abbott, whose Liberal-National coalition is ahead in polls before Australia’s Sept. 7 election, pledged to build a stronger economy as he faced Prime Minister Kevin Rudd in the first leaders’ debate of the campaign.
Eradicating the levy on mining profits and reducing the company tax rate, at a time when government revenues are declining, wouldn’t lead to major cuts in services, Abbott, 55, said late yesterday in Canberra. Rudd, 55, said a coalition-led government faced a A$70 billion ($64 billion) funding black hole that would lead to job losses.