Gallagher won’t guarantee Labor will cut more than it spends despite mounting pressure
Finance Minister Katy Gallagher has put all government spending under scrutiny as Labor searches for budget cuts, but won’t guarantee savings will outweigh new spending.
Gallagher dismissed suggestions of a serious rift, describing the relationship between the two men as “very professional and respectful”.
But she acknowledged the competing demands of senior ministers and the difficult choices confronting the government.
“I’ve got a role as finance minister to say no to a lot of people,” she said. “Other ministers want to do more. I’ve got to find out: is there room to do that? More often than not, there’s not.”
Shadow treasurer Tim Wilson said it was clear the Albanese government could not kick its spending addiction.
“For every $2 it saves, it goes on and spends an additional $3, and kicks on inflation and higher interest rates,” he said. “That’s why Australian’s mortgages cost more, and they’re paying more at the supermarket and getting less”.
Cut through the noise of federal politics with news, views and expert analysis. Subscribers can sign up to our weekly Inside Politics newsletter.
