What Chalmers has said about inflation in Australia
- Written by Times Media
In recent months, inflation in Australia has shown signs of easing. For example:
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The annual “trimmed-mean” or underlying inflation rate (the one most watched by the Reserve Bank of Australia / RBA) fell to 2.9 % in March from 3.3 % previously — bringing it back into the RBA’s target band of 2–3 % for the first time since late 2021.
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Headline inflation also remained low, though still subject to upward pressures from energy, housing, supply chains and global commodity costs.
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On the downside, cost-of-living pressures remain strong for many households (groceries, utilities, rents) even though inflation is moderating.
So the backdrop is that inflation is coming down from its peak, but the environment remains challenging — both globally and domestically.
What Chalmers has said
Treasurer Chalmers has made a number of statements on inflation in recent months. Here are some of his key messages:
1. Acknowledging progress
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He said that getting underlying inflation back into the target band “is a really big deal”.
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On one occasion he commented: “The worst of the inflation challenge is now well and truly behind us.”
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He has pointed to the moderation of inflation as proof of “responsible economic management” under the government.
2. Caution – not declaring victory
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Even while acknowledging progress, Chalmers has been at pains to say that the job is not done. For example: “I acknowledge that the cost-of-living pressures aren’t over… so many of your listeners are still under the pump.”
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He has emphasised that inflation remains “the big near-term challenge” for the economy.
3. Linking inflation outcomes to government policy
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Chalmers has argued that the government’s budget decisions (tax relief, spending restraint, surpluses) have helped bring inflation down. For instance, in relation to a past budget: “Inflation is down, wages are up, unemployment is low, and there are tax cuts flowing … because of the decision that we took a year ago.”
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Ahead of the March 2025 budget he said the budget would “put downwards pressure on inflation … our intention is to put downward pressure on inflation with this budget.”
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During the inflation fall in April 2025 he made a campaign-style point: “This is a powerful demonstration of the progress that Australians have made together… proof of the responsible economic management which has been a defining feature of this government.”
4. Implications for interest rates and the economy
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After the March 2025 inflation data, Chalmers said: “The market has a very firm view that there are more interest rate cuts on the way. And I don’t see anything in these numbers that would substantially alter their expectations.”
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He thus signals that the inflation moderation gives scope for the RBA to consider easing rates — though he stops short of predicting exactly when or how much.
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His messaging emphasises balancing inflation control while preserving economic growth, job creation and wage growth.
What is he emphasising and why it matters
From his statements, several themes emerge:
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Accountability and credit-taking: Chalmers is keen to highlight that inflation has come down and that this is a positive result of the government’s policies (budget discipline, tax cuts, support for cost of living). This helps the government in its narrative of economic competence.
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Balance and caution: At the same time, he stresses caution — inflation may have moderated, but that doesn’t mean all is fixed. There are still pressures on households and risks (global uncertainty, supply shocks, wages).
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Support for further monetary easing: By pointing to inflation now being in the RBA’s target band (or near it), he is implicitly endorsing a path toward lower interest rates — which is politically popular.
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Cost-of-living empathy: He acknowledges that while the numbers are improving, many Australians still feel squeezed. This is important politically given the strong focus on household budgets and everyday costs.
The significance of his stance
Why does what Chalmers says matter?
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Policy credibility: Inflation is a major economic metric. If the Treasurer can convincingly claim success in bringing it down, it boosts the government’s credibility on economic management.
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Interest rate expectations: His comments affect how markets and the RBA interpret inflation and rate paths. Mentioning that he doesn’t see anything in the data to undermine rate-cut expectations signals alignment with easing ahead.
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Budget framing: His linking of past budgets, tax cuts and surpluses to inflation outcomes allows the government to frame future budgeting decisions (e.g., cost-of-living relief) as compatible with inflation control.
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Electoral signalling: As we’re in a politically charged environment, these statements are part of the broader messaging to voters — showing that the government has delivered and can sustain growth while managing inflation.
Key quotes worth noting
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“The worst of the inflation challenge is now well and truly behind us.”
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“Getting underlying inflation in the target band is a really big deal.”
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“I acknowledge that ... the cost of living pressures aren’t over … but what we’ve been able to do together as Australians is get that inflation down and get wages up and keep unemployment low.”
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“This is a powerful demonstration of the progress that Australians have made together … proof of the responsible economic management …”
What are the caveats or criticisms
While Chalmers’ commentary is largely positive, there are points of caution and critique:
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Some argue that although inflation numbers have improved, households still face major cost-pressures (housing, energy, groceries) which aren’t fully captured only by inflation figures.
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Others note that tying inflation moderation so strongly to government policy overlooks external factors (commodity price falls, supply chain improvements) which may also be driving the data.
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The timing of his statements matters: some critics say the favourable inflation numbers become tools in a political message ahead of an election rather than purely policy-driven.What it means going forward
From Chalmers’ stance and the data, we can see likely implications:
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Room for interest rate cuts: With inflation back within target range, the RBA has more leeway. Chalmers’ comments support that expectation.
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Focus on cost-of-living relief: He repeatedly mentions that though inflation is moderating, pressures remain — meaning the government will likely continue to roll out budget measures aimed at households.
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Budgetary discipline to continue: Given his repeated linking of past surpluses / tax cuts / restraint with lowering inflation, we can infer the government intends to keep fiscal policy cautious so as not to reignite inflation.
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Messaging to households: The narrative will be that “we’re making progress” — which may affect consumer confidence and thus spending patterns (which themselves feed back into inflation and growth).
Conclusion
Treasurer Jim Chalmers is projecting a cautiously optimistic message regarding inflation in Australia. He welcomes the fact that underlying inflation has fallen into or close to the RBA’s target band, sees it as evidence of effective policy, and indicates that the economy is in a stronger place. But he simultaneously warns that the job is not done, households remain under pressure, and global risks remain. For a government and a treasurer, this dual message of “progress made” + “work still ahead” is one that aims to balance credibility, cautious optimism and political messaging.
