Government Defends Sluggish GDP Numbers in Parliament

The treasurer said the UK, Canada, and NZ had higher unemployment, and interest rates than Australia.

Australian Treasurer Jim Chalmers speaks to the media during a press conference at Parliament House in Canberra, Australia on Sept. 4, 2024. AAP Image/Lukas Coch

On day one of Parliament Treasurer Jim Chalmers was challenged by the opposition for saying “global factors” were responsible for the nation’s sluggish growth numbers.

Liberal-National MPs said countries like the United Kingdom, Canada, and New Zealand had begun to see slowing inflation, but Australia was still struggling with the problem.