Labor’s migration settings and growing cost of living impost on families are expected to feature in the federal opposition’s budget reply.
Liberal leader Peter Dutton will formally respond to the Albanese government’s second budget in parliament on Thursday night.
Mr Dutton is also expected to reveal what aspects of the budget the coalition will support, signalling favour of the planned expanded access to GP bulk billing and energy bill relief.
“We’ve certainly spoken a lot about trying to provide support to people on lower incomes but there are millions of Australians who have missed out significantly in this budget,” he said on Wednesday.
“They’re the ones I think are really hurting at the moment and we’ll have more to say about that.”
Mr Dutton used question time in parliament on Wednesday to quiz Prime Minister Anthony Albanese about the impact of 1.5 million migrants over five years on city congestion and housing.
Treasurer Jim Chalmers has rejected claims his budget will prolong inflation and contribute to interest rates remaining higher.
Dr Chalmers called on Mr Dutton to make his position on the $14.6 bn cost of living package clear.
“If he thinks people need no help with the cost of living he should say so,” the treasurer told ABC radio on Thursday.
“We think there is a case to provide responsible cost of living relief to people over the four-year period and it won’t add to inflation.”
Asked about the impact of migration, Dr Chalmers said the population forecasts were smaller than what they were a few years ago.
“That completely torpedoes this ridiculous campaign from Peter Dutton and others about migration,” he said.
“They (coalition) were forecasting a much bigger Australia in their own budget.”
Dr Chalmers said the government had policies including a new tax break for build-to-rent properties in addition to a multibillion-dollar infrastructure pipeline to deliver the services and facilities communities need.
The treasurer doubled down on not making any changes to the planned stage three tax cuts.
“We haven’t changed our position … our focus in this budget has been helping middle Australia and helping the most vulnerable through a difficult period at the same time as we invest in their future,” Dr Chalmers said.
The federal opposition leader is also expected to zero in on a coalition claim Labor has added $25,000 to the average family’s costs since ousting the Morrison government in May last year.
The figure includes 10 interest rate rises, grocery and power bill hikes and the impact of tax changes.
Greens leader Adam Bandt told parliament in his budget reply Labor had delivered a win for “big corporations and the very wealthy”.
“It is a betrayal of renters, students, job seekers, young people and everyone doing it tough,” he said.
– AAP
