High inflation and interest rates: can Labor escape the blame? - podcast
News Source
โขMon, 02 Nov 2026 14:00:46 GMT
๐ฐ What Happened
Guardian Australia's Full Story podcast asks whether the Labor government can avoid blame for high inflation and interest rates. The Reserve Bank was expected to raise rates on Tuesday. Many voters now blame government spending rather than global problems.
The episode features economics editor Patrick Commins talking to host Reged Ahmad. It asks whether Treasurer Jim Chalmers can bring inflation down without causing a recession, while household budgets are already stretched.
๐ The Backstory
Australia's inflation has stayed above the Reserve Bank's target of 2.5%, and rates have risen several times this year. Mortgage repayments have grown and households are cutting back on spending.
The political fight matters because voters often punish governments for higher prices. The podcast looks at how much of the problem Labor controls and how much comes from global forces.
๐ฏ Why It Matters
Rate rises hit household budgets fast. The episode explains who gets blamed and what the government can really do about it.
Guardian Australia's Full Story podcast asks whether the Labor government can avoid blame for high inflation and interest rates. The Reserve Bank was expected to raise rates on Tuesday. Many voters now blame government spending rather than global problems.
The episode features economics editor Patrick Commins talking to host Reged Ahmad. It asks whether Treasurer Jim Chalmers can bring inflation down without causing a recession, while household budgets are already stretched.
Australia's inflation has stayed above the Reserve Bank's target of 2.5%, and rates have risen several times this year. Mortgage repayments have grown and households are cutting back on spending.
The political fight matters because voters often punish governments for higher prices. The podcast looks at how much of the problem Labor controls and how much comes from global forces.
Rate rises hit household budgets fast. The episode explains who gets blamed and what the government can really do about it.