'Tight Ship': Public Told to Expect Scant Budget Help

‘Tight Ship’: Public Told to Expect Scant Budget Help

Australian Treasurer Jim Chalmers takes questions from the media in Canberra, Australia at Parliament House on May 13, 2026. (Hilary Wardhaugh/Getty Images)

'Tight ship': public told to expect scant budget help

Households are unlikely to receive significant cost-of-living help in the coming months as the government tries to curb high inflation and rising debt costs.

Treasurer downplays chance of cost-of-living relief amid surging debt

It seems unlikely households will get cost-of-living relief this year after Treasurer Jim Chalmers revealed the government is looking to "tighten" the budget as borrowing costs boom.

Chalmers warns higher yields likely to kill off cost-of-living help

Treasurer Jim Chalmers says surging borrowing costs and high inflation will force a tight mid-year update, potentially killing off major new spending.