Inside Chalmers' pre-budget diary
If you think your schedule is packed, take a look at the details of Treasurer Jim Chalmers’ diary ahead of the Future Made in Australia policy and May budget, released to Capital Brief under FOI.
It can’t be easy being federal treasurer, especially during a cost-of-living crisis. A glimpse at Jim Chalmers’ diary gives an insight into the myriad of challenges the Albanese government has been grappling with and reveals discussions the nation’s top economic policymaker had with prominent CEOs, business groups, regulators and unions ahead of flagship announcements.
The details of Chalmers’ official meetings have been unveiled due to the publication of his digital calendar from 1 February 2024 to 31 May 2024, released to Capital Brief under freedom of information laws.
Some parts of the diary are redacted, largely due to the information being considered exempt or irrelevant, or because it relates to cabinet. Redactions have also been made where there is a concern the release might affect his safety, such as exposing travel details or patterns and particular locations, or where the matters are personal. That’s all fair enough. But what we can still see is a packed calendar over one of the most critical periods of the government’s first term.
Among a string of press conferences, typical parliamentary business, media interviews and Chalmers’ regularly scheduled meetings with Treasury secretary Steven Kennedy, his own staff and Reserve Bank of Australia governor Michele Bullock, is a flurry of meetings with union bosses and some of corporate Australia’s top leaders ahead of the announcement of the Future Made in Australia program, gas strategy and the May budget.
