‘I can’t solve everything’: Anthony Albanese’s big admission amid cost of living crisis
Anthony Albanese has made a stunning admission on an issue that is affecting millions of Australians who are crying out for help.
Anthony Albanese has conceded he “can’t solve everything” when it comes to the soaring cost of living, saying many of the key drivers are out of his control.
Prices of food, gas, petrol and rent have skyrocketed in the last six months, with the inflation rate rising to a 21-year high of 6.1 per cent in June.
The Reserve Bank and Treasury expects that figure to peak at around 7.75 per cent towards the end of this year.
But wages during that period have only grown 2.7 per cent, falling well short of matching the rising cost of living.
The Prime Minister hammered the Coalition at the election with the promise to get wages moving, but speaking with Sydney radio on Wednesday, he conceded there was only so much he could do.
“Some things beyond our control, for example, the Russian invasion of Ukraine had an enormous impact on energy prices and on supply chains around the world,” Mr Albanese told 2GB.
“And we‘ve seen inflation rise to double digits in the UK, for example, in North America it is much higher than it is here.”
Treasurer Jim Chalmers will deliver his first budget in October.
Mr Albanese said its focus would be on the price of medicine and enacting Labor’s cheaper childcare promise.
“We want to make sure that we deal with putting downward pressure on inflation by dealing with supply-side issues,” he said.
“There are things that the government can do. It can't solve everything, of course, but we’re very focused because we understand the pressures that families are on out there.”
After spending the better part of the last week focused on the secret ministries scandal, Mr Albanese was keen to switch gears on Wednesday, leaving the attack on Scott Morrison to his ministers.
With his anticipated jobs and skills summit drawing closer, Mr Albanese’s renewed focus on the cost of living comes amid criticism he was using his predecessor’s saga as cover.
“At times, Anthony Albanese sounded like he has enjoyed being the opposition leader again,” Coalition frontbench senator Simon Birmingham said.
“The government should be getting on with focusing on helping Australians with the cost of living, of ensuring that they respond to the many different challenges, both domestically and internationally we face.
“They certainly shouldn't be distracted by continuing to try to drag over the former prime minister’s actions when there are many pressing issues that Australians face day to day at present.”
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