A prime minister facing mounting political pressure over economic management has ruled out deep cuts to health and education in the upcoming budget update, though he acknowledged the need for savings to tackle rising inflation. With internal Labor divisions, opposition criticism, and business sector demands intensifying, the government is defending its proposed measures—including a reduction to private health insurance rebates for older Australians—while accusing the opposition of failing to back existing cost-saving efforts. The statement underscores a tightrope walk between fiscal responsibility and protecting core public services amid a widening political debate over economic strategy.
Prime minister vows not to slash health and education funding amid political problem over handling of economyGet our daily political email, free app or daily news podcastAnthony Albanese has ruled out major cuts to health, education and essential services in December’s mid-year budget update, but conceded savings are required as Labor struggles to curb accelerating inflation.Amid growing pressure from within Labor’s own ranks, as well as from the opposition and business, Albanese said the Coalition was hypocritical in not supporting existing savings proposals, including the government’s plan to reduce the private health insurance rebate for people over 65. Continue reading...
