Jane Hume (Victoria, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for the Public Service) Share this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister representing the Treasurer, Senator Gallagher. Last week, the RBA confirmed that struggling Australian households should not expect a rate cut in interest rates this year. The RBA's chief economist told the Senate Cost of Living Select Committee last week that the board needed to see softer growth in public spending before it could cut rates, but I understand that the Labor government's spending has increased by $315 billion, and in response the RBA has more than doubled its forecast for government spending. Why are you making decisions that are keeping interest rates higher for longer and costing Australian families who are already doing it tough?