Australian news and politics live: Gallagher tells Government to slash costs by 5 per cent, save $5.6 billion
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Max Corstorphan is reporting live.
Albo warns Labor: Work hard over summer break
Anthony Albanese has told his Labor colleagues to get out in their communities and work hard talking about cost of living help, road safety, natural disasters, the social media ban and better funding for schools during the summer break.
The Prime Minister made pointed remarks about the Coalition making a mistake in the lead up to this year’s election by choosing to “stop working in January,” as he thanked colleagues and “the entire labour movement” for helping to win a massive majority in May.
“If people are having a holiday, they’re still on their phones, there’s still a level of engagement, and it’s still important to be making the case (for the Government),” he said.
He also thanked his caucus “for giving me this incredible privilege as a Labor prime minister of this country.”
Mr Albanese might be battling a head cold this week but he’s finishing the year on a high and probably a honeymoon.
End of an era: Labor overtakes Coalition on economy
The Coalition has lost its 40-year streak of being preferred over Labor when it comes to managing the economy.
The Australian Election Study, led by Australian National University and Griffith University, shows voters now trust Labor’s approach to economic issues, with the coalition losing its long-held advantage.
The Liberals suffered their lowest rating in the 2025 study, dropping to an average score of 4.2 on a zero to 10 scale of how much people like the party.
Voters signalled a clear preference for Anthony Albanese as Prime Minister, with former opposition leader Peter Dutton’s lack of popularity at May’s Federal Election breaking several records in the study.
“Dutton was the least popular major party leader the study has ever polled,” co-author Ian McAllister said.
“According to voters, the leadership qualities he most lacked were ‘inspiration’, closely followed by ‘compassion’.”
‘Practical’: Labor defends mass job cuts move
Finance Minister Katy Gallagher has told Government departments to slash costs by 5 per cent to hand the Albanese Government $5.6 billion in savings.
That financial savings target could see 22,500 Australian public servants jobless.
Defending the move, Housing Minister Clare O’Neil said it was “practical”.
“This is a really important and practical part of government,” she told Sunrise.
“Taxpayer dollars are really precious. This is not our money and for everyone whose watching at home, they work hard for their salaries and contribute to the tax system in good faith that their dollars will be looked after and invested on critical things like supporting our aging population, supporting child care, supporting our Medicare system, the National Disability Insurance Scheme and other services that many Australian families rely on is absolutely appropriate.”
Host Nat Barr asked directly, how many jobs would be cut.
“That’s going to be a part of the budget conversation,” Ms O’Neil said, dodging the question, adding: “The Finance Minister has said to the departments you need to make sure you’re taking this seriously, and those conversations will continue as we lead up to budget”.
