Labor's Brendan O'Connor calls on Tony Abbott to explain how he will make savings to bring the budget back into surplus LABOR has called on Tony Abbott to explain the alleged $70 billion worth of cuts needed for the Coalition to bring the budget back into surplus during tonight's leaders debate. In an attempt to bring debate back to the economy, Employment Minister Brendan O'Connor said Mr Abbott would be exposed on the economy during tonight's debate at the National Press Club in Canberra. "The Opposition Leader has to identify where he is going to make the savings," he told the Meet The Press this morning. The question for Tony Abbott will be where is he going to be raising taxes. The Australian people expect no less from a potential prime minister to detail where the $70 billion of cuts will come from. Mr Abbott has flagged his intention to focus on detailing his "positive plans" for the economy and easing cost of living pressures during the 60-minute debate. "I'm looking forward to the chance to talk directly to people, in their lounge rooms, about our positive plans for a stronger economy and real relief from their cost of living pressures," he said. Mr O'Connor was also forced to defend the government after its decision to hire former Queensland premier Peter Beattie, who has criticized Prime Minister Kevin Rudd repeatedly over the years. "We're a political family and we do argue," Mr O'Connor said. Malcolm Turnbull has said Tony Abbott's carbon policy is foolish. But he denied Mr Beattie was a post-election loss leadership candidate. Recent Treasury forecasts showed a sharp dip in unemployment with 150,000 jobs list in the coming year. Mr O'Connor was unable to say where the jobs would be lost exactly. But he said the government was working on new skills plans and the falling dollar would help industries au has manufacturing and tourism.