Guardian Australia’s political editor, Karen Middleton, speaks with Treasurer Jim Chalmers about his budget balancing act to provide cost-of-living relief without fueling inflation. Topics include strategies for combating inflation, supporting diverse income levels, transitioning to a net-zero economy, mining critical minerals locally, and adjusting budgets in response to economic conditions.
Budget balances relief with restraint and reform to address real cost-of-living concerns.
Focus on critical minerals and renewable hydrogen for net-zero transition and supply chain resilience.
Deep dives
Economic Principles and Budget Choices
Treasurer Jim Chalmers discusses the economic principles underpinning the budget, emphasizing the focus on relief, restraint, and reform. Despite criticisms about insufficient relief, he highlights the importance of getting the economics right to address people's real lived experiences. Chalmers rejects the notion of artificial inflation reduction, asserting the budget's aim to help people with bills while also tackling inflation.
Long-Term Vision for Australia's Future
Chalmers outlines the budget's vision for a future made in Australia, highlighting the country's advantages in the global net-zero transition. He emphasizes critical minerals and renewable hydrogen developments as key opportunities connected to achieving net zero goals and improving supply chain resilience, reducing dependency on singular suppliers like China.
Communication and Confidence in the Economy
Chalmers addresses communicating budget changes through provisions for consultation and highlights the need to reassure and ease anxiety among the public. He underscores the importance of instilling confidence in the economy amid global tensions and economic challenges, stressing the ongoing review of economic policies to align with evolving conditions.
Guardian Australia’s political editor, Karen Middleton, speaks with the treasurer, Jim Chalmers, about whether his third budget can really provide cost-of-living relief without fuelling inflation Exclusive: Labor to run $45m taxpayer-funded Future Made In Australia advertising campaign
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