Anthony Albanese says "remains squarely on helping with the cost of living" at Labor conference

At the Labor Party’s national conference in Adelaide, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese spoke after party veteran Bill Kelty issued a scathing assessment of Australia’s economic performance, citing OECD figures showing real wages down 5% since 2021 and weak productivity growth. The conference’s economic session avoided internal debate, emphasizing unity, and Albanese responded by stating that the government’s primary concern remains easing household financial strains through tangible initiatives. He announced an expansion of financial payments for allied health students during training placements and a new Fair Work Court to handle wage disputes more swiftly. The remarks came amid broader discussions of a proposed gas tax, which Treasurer Jim Chalmers ruled out for now, and concerns about populist party One Nation’s potential electoral threat.