Is the cost-of-living crisis over? Victoria’s new treasurer is optimistic, but housing remains a battleground

Jacyln Symes inherited a mountain of debt, but hopes voters will be less concerned once they see the completed projects it has helped fund. Photograph: Ellen Smith/The Guardian

Victoria’s new treasurer, Jaclyn Symes, is confident cost-of-living pressures will ease by the next election and that voters will be less concerned about the state’s soaring debt once they see the completed projects it has helped fund.

In an exclusive interview with Guardian Australia after handing down her first budget in May, Symes also signalled openness to reforming stamp duty.