Labor faces mounting pressure as inflation rises and voters doubt its economic stewardship
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Rising inflation and sharp increases in transport, housing and food costs have intensified political pressure on Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Treasurer Jim Chalmers ahead of a possible interest-rate hike and a budget update, with many voters blaming government spending for the worsening cost-of-living squeeze.
Inflation climbed to 4.3% on Wednesday, prompting KPMG chief economist Brendan Rynne to warn that price increases since the pandemic have outpaced wage growth, leaving households with less purchasing power and exposing the strain created by weak economic management. Transport costs rose 8.7% over the past year, housing costs 5.2% and food prices 3.2%, adding further pressure to families already struggling with higher everyday expenses.
The latest figures, including a trimmed-mean inflation rate of 3.7%, have raised expectations of a rate increase to 4.85% on Tuesday, the highest level in 18 years. The prospect of a fifth rate rise this year adds pressure on Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Treasurer Jim Chalmers as voters increasingly question the government’s handling of the economy.
A recent Guardian Essential poll found 32% of respondents blamed government spending for the cost-of-living squeeze, outpacing concerns about global events or supermarket pricing. Opposition leader Angus Taylor announced a plan for more than $30 billion in cuts over four years, targeting programs such as home-battery subsidies, electric-vehicle incentives and several Labor-run funds, presenting a sharper alternative to Labor’s approach to spending.
"Any of the savings, they are dwarfed by $110 billion in new spending already announced by the opposition," Treasurer Jim Chalmers said.
Labor’s internal review of spending is expected to be presented in December’s mid-year budget update. While Chalmers has signalled cuts, he has not detailed whether they will offset new expenditures. Albanese indicated that the update will not remove billions from health, education or essential services, acknowledging the difficulty of finding savings without undermining core priorities.
Former industry minister Ed Husic called for price controls on staples such as bread, milk and vegetables, citing a Foodbank report that one in three households struggled to afford nutritious food in the past year. Albanese cautioned that the economic challenges will not be resolved quickly, highlighting how persistent the inflation problem remains.
The political debate unfolds as the government prepares for the Commonwealth heads of government summit in Antigua, and voters weigh the impact of inflation, interest-rate policy and fiscal decisions ahead of upcoming elections.