Grattan on Friday: Albanese leaves grim domestic scene as he flies to the blue Pacific
a “Pre-COP” meeting in Fiji and Tuvalu is one of those initiatives that seemed a good idea at the time but for Albanese it will feel more chore than opportunity.
Anthony Albanese, still recovering from his New York high, is set to take flight on Monday for a Pre-COP meeting in Fiji and Tuvalu. However, this diplomatic initiative may feel more like a chore than an opportunity, as global warming has taken a back seat to other pressing issues. While climate change remains a crucial concern, other topics such as artificial intelligence and the cost of living have captured more public and media attention.
The high cost of living, exacerbated by recent Reserve Bank rate hikes, is currently dominating everyday conversations in Australia. Treasurer Jim Chalmers has been at the center of the blame game, attributing the pressure on inflation and interest rates to the Iran war. However, the Reserve Bank has also highlighted domestic factors.
The government is bracing for a challenging final three months of the year, as it prepares its budget update. The opposition and the Greens may come into play, forcing Labor to consider new measures for cost-of-living relief.
Written by urgent.news from The Conversation AU's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
