Chalmers can’t shift any blame on to Trump or Bullock – even if they deserve it

October 12, 2026 — 5:00am

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The gloss might be starting to come off One Nation, but the government shouldn’t get too excited yet because voters clearly believe that Anthony Albanese and Labor are to blame for the cost of living crisis affecting Australians.

This month’s Resolve Political Monitor did contain some good news for Labor: Albanese’s preferred prime minister rating has risen by three percentage points to 32 per cent and Labor’s primary vote is up one point.

But on the economy, the issue that decides elections, Labor is wearing most of the blame for voters’ economic pain.

Treasurer Jim Chalmers has spent the past month defending his economic record and arguing that government spending is not the main culprit for persistently higher headline inflation and the fourth interest rate rise this........

© The Sydney Morning Herald