The two Liberal leadership candidates say they are pleased with a recent televised leadership debate which aired on Thursday.

John Abbott says his campaign differs from that of his opponent, Andrew Furey, who is considered by many to be the front-runner because of his support from the Liberal caucus.

Abbott says Furey’s campaign is focused on hope, while his is focused on action.

Furey meanwhile says he welcomed the opportunity to discuss issues of importance to Newfoundlanders and Labradorians.

Abbott promises the implementation of $15 dollar an hour minimum wage, while Furey says he will tie minimum wage to the Consumer Price Index.

Furey is focused on establishing $25 a day child care, while Abbott is committing to introducing junior kindergarten as one aspect in addressing child care costs and availability.

Furey says he’s looking at establishing a Premier’s Economic Recovery Team to address short, medium and long-term strategies to address the province’s growing deficit.

Abbott says he will examine and modernize the structure of government’s core services, departments and agencies with an aim to reduce costs and downsize government through attrition and early retirement.