Labor is “confident and keen” to challenge the Coalition on its economic record ahead of the federal budget and election, shadow treasurer Jim Chalmers said. In an address to the Australian Industry Group, Chalmers said it was Labor’s goal to build a stronger economy and society compared to before the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic. He said the election should be a “contest of ideas” rather than “unhinged scare campaigns” on tax, the Greens, or China. The federal government has put Australia-China relations on the table for elections, calling into question Labor’s track record with the Chinese regime. Chalmers said a Labor budget would build on five economic policies to lift the “speed limit” on recovery. Labor has pledged free TAFE and university places to deal with skill shortages while also planning investment into clean energy to “create more jobs,” and modernising the NBN. The party also wants to make …