Labor flags further cost of living support if elected and attacks ‘wasteful spending’ in Coalition budget

The shadow treasurer, Jim Chalmers, says a return to budget surplus in the near future is unlikely. Photograph: Mick Tsikas/AAP

The shadow treasurer, Jim Chalmers, says a Labor government will consider further support to ease cost of living pressures if necessary once the temporary cut to fuel excise ends in September.

In his budget reply speech in Canberra on Tuesday, Chalmers also committed to improving the quality of government spending, saying the Coalition’s budget handed down last week was “chock-full” of waste that could be trimmed.