Australian PM Defends Action on Cost of Living Amid by-election in Victoria State

Sat Mar 02 2024
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SYDNEY: Voters went to the polls on Saturday in a by-polls in Australia’s Victoria state seen as a referendum on Anthony Albanese’s handling of cost-of-living pressures across the country, local media reported.

Australian households have been under financial pressure from sky rocketing prices, which although recently easing has prompted the country’s central bank to hike interest rates by 425 basis points since May 2022.

Australia Prime Minister Defends Action on Cost of Living Amid by-election in Victoria State

Albanese said that they know people have done it tough through cost-of-living pressures, but they have been prepared to take action to alleviate them.  Labor is likely to be returned in the by-election but suffer a swing against it, according to survey.

The popularity of the main political opposition has increased in recent polling as people said that PM Albanese has failed to keep a lid on everyday costs like groceries, petrol, and mortgage repayments.

Liberal leader Peter Dutton said that there is a level of anger on the ground and people want change as the elections is being viewed as referendum.

 

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