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The Guardian - AU
The Guardian - AU
National
Paul Karp

Morrison and Albanese clash on Solomon Islands-China pact in first leaders’ debate of federal election

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison speaks as Australian opposition leader Anthony Albanese looks on during the first leaders' debate of the 2022 federal election
The leaders’ debate marks a turning point in the six-week election campaign as Labor prepares to launch negative ads against Scott Morrison. Photograph: Jason Edwards/AFP/Getty Images

Australia’s political leaders have traded barbs over China’s security agreement with Solomon Islands, with Anthony Albanese labelling it a “Pacific stuff-up” and Scott Morrison accusing him of siding with China.

In an evenly matched outing in the first leaders’ debate on Wednesday, the prime minister focused on handling of the economy while Albanese accused the government of “treading water” and “not pursuing any significant economic, social or environmental reforms”.

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