Coalition hopes for new impetus

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Morrison’s government is looking to next week’s federal budget for new impetus after Labour’s overwhelming victory in the South Australian elections over the weekend.

Federal Agriculture Minister David Littleproud told today this morning lessons could be learned from the SA result for the coalition.

Federal front banker David Littleproud said he hoped the upcoming federal budget would give the coalition new impetus. (Nine)

“The political lessons are that you can’t rest on what you’ve done for the electorate, despite … the biggest challenge since World War II in COVID-19,” said Mr Littleproud.

But insisted that the South Australian elections had been decided on state issues and that the federal poll – to be held in May – on national elections would be fought.

“I think the South Australian election was based on local issues, whether that be hospitals or even the V8 Supercars,” he said.

Mr Littleproud said Australian voters wanted a clear direction for the future and that the federal budget – to be handed over on Tuesday 29 March – would provide it.

“We’ve done it in the health and economic fields to get us where we are, but they’re now looking at what it looks like, tackling the cost of living pressures and being able to articulate exactly how we’re going to do that,” said Mr. littleproud.

gasoline costs sydney rising gas station
Pressure on the cost of living, such as rising gasoline prices, is now a major political issue. (9News)

He also said there was no “silver bullet” to deal with the cost of living pressures and the billions in public debt incurred during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We can’t express ourselves … We say we have to put the environmental infrastructure in it. Let you do the heavy lifting and give you decision-making power, that’s your money … That’s how you pay the debt.”

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Scott Morrison has been questioned today over reports that next week’s federal budget will include a cut in fuel taxes.

Morrison spoke to 4BC this morning about a report that treasurer Josh Frydenberg is considering a temporary 44 cent fuel tax cut to relieve Australian motorists.

Mr Morrison said the final budget package was still being finalized but said some measures would help tackle pressures on the cost of living

People look at damage to a school that was hit by a Russian attack in Zhytomyr, Ukraine, ten days ago on March 20, 2022. Russian forces remain on the outskirts of the Ukrainian capital, but their advance has stalled in recent days, even as Russian attacks - and pieces of intercepted missiles - hit residential areas in northern Kiev. It is estimated that half of Kiev's population has fled to other parts of the country or abroad since Russia invaded.

Ukrainians investigate damaged school as Russian attack continues

“We know that people feel like… it has a real impact on people,” he said.

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