Jim Chalmers (Rankin, Australian Labor Party, Treasurer) Share this | Hansard source

Across all of the components of inflation, what we've seen in the aggregate measures is that inflation is lower under our government than it was when we came to office—what we inherited from those opposite. That is a fact. It's an inconvenient fact for the shadow Treasurer, who was very unhappy when inflation went down again last Wednesday, and he's expressing his unhinged unhappiness in the chamber today.

Now, the point that I'm making is: the whole parliament acknowledges that there are price pressures in our economy, but only this side of the parliament's doing something about it. We invited you, in good faith, at the end of 2022, to work with us and vote with us to do something about gas prices, and to do something about electricity prices. You voted against it. Worse, from memory, you went on with David Speers in an interview—not that long after—and pretended you voted for it. You told him that you voted for it. You were wrong about that as well.

Inflation was higher and rising when we came to office; it's lower and falling now. We're making progress in the fight against inflation, and we're helping with the cost of living. We know that you don't want any part of that. We know that you'd rather prices go up. We know that you'd rather inflation go up because it helps you politically. We've got a different set of interests and a different set of priorities. We've been there for Australians during these cost-of-living challenges. We will continue to be there for Australians. They would have been worse off if you had your way, and they'll be worse off still if you win the election.

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