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

I thank the senator for the question. In relation to the impacts on inflation and the contributors to inflation, there are obviously a range of inputs that are influencing the inflation number, and inflation is staying higher for longer than we would like. The Treasurer has been saying that consistently. The reason that our budget is so focused on putting downward pressure on inflation whilst easing cost of living, repairing the budget, finding $40 billion worth of savings and returning 82 per cent of upward revisions to revenue is that it was precisely calibrated to deal with the inflation challenge. We do believe that inflation has peaked and is coming back and it will head towards the target range over the next 18 months or so. That is in line with budget forecasts. But, yes, we would like it to come down faster. That's why government's decisions have been so calibrated. (Time expired)