Jim Chalmers says May budget to have ‘much bigger focus’ on tackling entrenched disadvantage

2023 federal budget: Jim Chalmers wants to expand the opportunity for ‘impact investing’ across the social purpose economy. Photograph: Jason O’Brien/AAP

Treasurer Jim Chalmers has revealed he will use the May budget to spearhead “a much bigger focus” on entrenched disadvantage in Australia’s most vulnerable communities to ensure people have better pathways to economic participation.

Chalmers told Guardian Australia’s politics podcast he was working with the social services minister, Amanda Rishworth, on a new package that would “identify some of the most vulnerable communities in our country, work out how to empower local leaders and pool our resources and make a meaningful difference to some on the entrenched disadvantage that’s in our country”.