Katy Gallagher (ACT, Australian Labor Party, Minister for the Public Service) Share this | Hansard source

I thank the senator for her first question in this place. Yes, the government stands by the forecasts outlined in the budget. If there are changes to those they will get updated in the normal way, as has been done in every budget under every government since they've been put together. They are forecasts to set out the expectations of the Treasury and their advice to government about what is happening over the economy. I would say that in that budget we did forecast an uptick in unemployment as a result of higher interest rates, some global uncertainty and the fact that we expect our economy to slow over the next 12 to 18 months. They were all forecast in the budget. What we are seeing playing out across the economy is in line with those budget forecasts.