Jim Chalmers (and Grogs)

But there’s more work to do because people are still under pressure.

The cost-of-living is front of mind for most Australians and it’s front and centre in this Budget. [and the election campaign]

We know the welcome improvements in the aggregate numbers don’t always immediately translate to how people are feeling and faring.

We’ve made a lot of progress together but we know many people are still doing it tough.

Our plan to rebuild living standards starts with cost-of-living help and wages growth.

It includes more hip pocket help for households:

• Two new tax cuts for every taxpayer;

• More energy bill relief;

• Increasing wages and reforming non-compete clauses;

• More bulk billing and cheaper medicines;

• Student debt relief; and

• A fair go for families at the checkout and farmers at the farm gate.