Australia’s debt plunges $152 billion but no ‘scorched earth’ austerity: Chalmers
Federal government debt is expected to be $152 billion lower in the federal budget, as tax revenue surges.
Australian Treasurer Jim Chalmers poses for photographs holding a copy of the Intergenerational Report 2023 at Parliament House in Canberra, Thursday, August 24, 2023. (AAP Image/Lukas Coch)
The budget, which will be handed down next week by Treasurer Jim Chalmers, will show gross debt reached $904 billion in 2023/24, down from projections of more than $1 trillion at the time of the 2022 federal election.
The government expects to save about $80 billion in interest costs over the decade to 2032/33.
Debt as a share of gross domestic product is also expected to peak lower compared with mid-year economic and fiscal outlook forecasts.
Dr Chalmers said Labor was getting the budget back in better nick.
“Debt will peak significantly lower than was projected at the time of the election thanks to our responsible economic management,” he said.
“These are some of the dividends of our responsible economic management.”
The treasurer said the government’s third budget was not the time for “scorched-earth austerity”.
But neither would it be “some kind of free-for-all” of spending.
Dr Chalmers suggested a second consecutive surplus was in reach.
Tax revenue is expected to be $25 billion higher over the next four years.
