Chalmers' Catch-22
There’s a big difference between campaigning in opposition and campaigning in government. How will Treasurer Jim Chalmers navigate this chasm?
When Josh Frydenberg and Jim Chalmers faced each other at the National Press Club in 2022 for a pre-election debate, sparks were flying.
Some of the most resonant criticisms Chalmers lobbed at his opponent were that the Coalition lacked vision and was disregarding the financial difficulties experienced by everyday Australians after a bruising pandemic.
“You can't pay your mortgage or feed your kids with the excuses that we get from this government,” he said, labelling it “the most wasteful” since Federation as Australians face a cost-of-living crisis.
“They have absolutely no idea of the pain that that inflicts on ordinary Australians, and they have no plan to deal with it. If they do, that plan isn't working.”
