Chalmers under pressure as Labor questions economic strategy

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 16 Oct, 19:32 · Archive

Australian treasurer Jim Chalmers is facing criticism from within Labor over economic conditions and the government's response to inflation and rising interest rates.

Jim Chalmers is facing mounting criticism from within Labor over Australia's economic challenges. The treasurer has come under fire over stubborn inflation and rising interest rates, and was forced this week to deny being overruled by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese over a credit card payment ban by the tax office.

Labor MPs returning to Canberra described a level of voter frustration they have rarely encountered during Albanese's prime ministership. The economic circumstances have shifted sharply against a government that had hoped to make its second term a story of fairness, reform and rising living standards. Donald Trump's war in the Middle East has compounded Australia's entrenched inflation problem.

Guardian Australia reports that a senior Labor figure said 'the feeling of warmth that has existed for the government since the election is turning to heat'. The Sydney Morning Herald reports that some in Labor want a strategic reset on economic settings rather than a fresh political sales job, with some worrying that Albanese has lost his public authority. Ministers and MPs say the caucus is more unsettled and irritable than at any point since Labor came to power.

How it is being reported

• In a funk: How economic pain is straining the PM and treasurer’s relationshipBehind closed doors, Labor MPs are questioning whether Jim Chalmers’ relationship with Anthony Albanese has soured.The Sydney Morning Herald · 16 Oct, 19:00
• Jim Chalmers’ bad week: an economic dumpster fire and Labor squabblingThe treasurer is feeling the heat on several fiscal fronts, and some within Labor are questioning the government’s political strategy Get our new political email , free app or daily news podcast Jim Chalmers was in Bangkok on Thursday – meeting with finance ministers and central bank governors from around the world – during a 13-hour visit. A grim outlook hung over the talks, which came just days after the International Monetary Fund warned that the global economy “ could soon test the limits of resilience ”. But even in Thailand’s stifling humidity, the treasurer might have been relieved to…Guardian Australia · 16 Oct, 15:00

In this story: Jim Chalmers · Anthony Albanese · Labor · Australia · Reserve Bank

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