Australians are holding out hope for relief as politicians rush to Canberra to discuss cost-of-living proposals – with a senior minister admitting the Albanian government has ‘more to do’.
Since the end of Covid-19 lockdowns, prices for everything from rents to the weekly grocery shop have risen as a confluence of domestic and international events fuels inflation.
In response, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese summoned his colleagues to Canberra for a caucus meeting on Wednesday, about two weeks before parliament resumes in February.
Health Minister Mark Butler said the accelerated start to the political year was a nod to the state of the economic environment.
Australians are holding out hope for relief as politicians rush to Canberra to discuss cost-of-living proposals. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is pictured with his partner Jodie Haydon
“Even though parliament doesn’t start again for a few weeks, (we’re meeting) because we recognize that Australians are going through a tough time,” he told reporters in Adelaide on Sunday.
“I know all my caucus colleagues are keen and enthusiastic to get started delivering messages for Australians this year.
“We know there is more to do in 2024 and we are committed to getting started on it as quickly as possible.”
While some critics have accused the government of charging taxpayers hundreds of thousands to transport politicians to Canberra, Social Services Minister Amanda Rishworth has dismissed the claims.
“(It’s) important that MPs come together and actually put forward their views,” she told Nine’s Today on Monday.
‘PvdA MPs were not elected to sit at home twiddling their thumbs, we want to contribute to the national debate.’
The Prime Minister has instructed the Treasury and Treasury to draw up further proposals for cost-of-living relief, but when asked whether measures would be introduced before the end of the week, Mr Butler that it was a matter for Mr Albanese to consider.
“We are proud of the actions the Prime Minister and Treasury in particular have taken over the course of 2023, but recognize there is more to do in this global inflation shock that is hitting Australian households hard,” he said.
To the relief of many, recent economic data points to declining inflation.
Since the end of the Covid-19 lockdowns, prices have risen for everything from rents to the weekly grocery shop. Two women are seen looking at prices in a supermarket
Earlier in January, the Australian Bureau of Statistics reported that the monthly consumer price index for November had slowed to 4.3 per cent, the lowest level since January 2022.
Meanwhile, ABS jobs figures released on Thursday showed the labor market was also starting to cool.
Monthly business revenue data, expected to be released on Tuesday, will also be a new indicator of the economy’s strength.
If the data remains promising, borrowers can hold out hope when the Reserve Bank of Australia announces its first interest rate decision for 2024 in early February.
