The Australian inflation rate gives the lie to Morrison’s claims of strong economic management

‘The items that have had the biggest prices rises are the things you can’t avoid paying – fuel, gas, education, meat, fruit and vegetables, coffee, preschool.’ Photograph: Mick Tsikas/AAP

The latest inflation figures showing a 5.1% increase in prices over the past 12 months mean three things: the budget figures are already wrong, an interest rate rise next week is very likely, and last, workers have seen their real wages absolutely smashed.

It is not unusual for budget figures to be wrong, but to be wrong after just one month takes some doing.