Cost-of-living Qld: Treasurer confirms urgent crisis talks

Treasurer Jim Chalmers has confirmed an urgent meeting of government MPs next week to discuss the cost-of-living crisis.

Federal Labor MPs will hold an urgent meeting next week to discuss the country’s spiralling cost-of-living crisis, Treasurer Jim Chalmers has confirmed.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has summoned MPs to Canberra for a caucus meeting to try to thrash out solutions to soaring household bills.

The Wednesday meeting, a fortnight before federal parliament resumes, will confirm the government’s economic plan, including measures to ease pressure on household budgets without driving up inflation.

Treasurer Jim Chalmers. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Martin Ollman

Further power bill relief could be on the agenda, with some MPs believed to be pushing for the $3bn National Energy Relief plan introduced last year to be widened.

“The cost of living is my primary focus and it’s the No.1 priority for the Prime Minister and the government,” Mr Chalmers said.

“Australians are under the pump which is why we’ve got $23bn worth of responsible and targeted cost-of-living relief which is rolling out the door right now to ease pressure on households and small businesses.

“We’re always looking for new ways to ease the cost of living for Australians without adding to inflation. That’s the focus this week and every week in the lead-up to the budget.”

Social Services Minister Amanda Rishworth said the talks were “not a crisis meeting”.

“This is a meeting … to prepare for the parliamentary year,” she said in Adelaide.

Asked if caucus would look at more power bill relief, Ms Rishworth said the government took the cost of energy “very seriously” and had capped coal and gas prices soon after being elected in 2022.

Ms Rishworth reaffirmed Mr Albanese’s pledge last week that the controversial Stage 3 tax cuts would go ahead from July.

Originally published as Cost-of-living Qld: Treasurer confirms urgent crisis talks