Anthony Albanese says government ‘can’t solve everything’ when asked about inflation

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has had his own ‘not my job’ moment while being grilled about Australia’s cost of living crisis.

Mr Albanese was questioned about surging inflation while speaking to Sydney radio station 2GB on Wednesday but declared the government ‘can’t solve everything’.

‘Some things are beyond our control. For example, the Russian invasion of Ukraine had an enormous impact on energy prices and on supply chains around the world,’ he said.

‘We’ve seen inflation rise to double digits in the UK, for example. In North America it is much higher than it is here.’

Mr Albanese’s predecessor Scott Morrison faced criticism for his ‘not my job’ mantra when responding to a range of issues, most notably saying ‘I don’t hold a hose, mate’ when asked about his Hawaiian holiday during the 2019-20 bushfire crisis. 

Australians have been left struggling to meet everyday costs with wage growth significantly lower than inflation, driving up the price food and energy

Mr Albanese told 2GB his government would instead focus on fulfilling election promises, including cheaper childcare and medicines.

‘We want to make sure that we deal with putting downward pressure on inflation by dealing with supply-side issues,’ he said.

‘There are things that the government can do. It can’t solve everything, of course, but we’re very focused because we understand the pressures that families are on out there.’

Mr Albanese has faced harsh criticism for focusing on Scott Morrison’s secret ministry appointments rather than the inflation crisis since returning from his early August holiday

Mr Albanese has faced harsh criticism for choosing to address Mr Morrison’s secret ministry appointments rather than crippling inflation since returning from his early August holiday.

Inflation has skyrocketed 6.1 per cent over 12 months, sparking soaring food and energy costs, while wages have only grown by 2.6 per cent.

Interest rates have continued to rise in line with inflation, pushing monthly mortgage payments up while energy bills continue to soar.

Vehicle owners will also have to deal with even pricier fuel in five weeks with the fuel duty cut due to end on September 28, set to make petrol prices jump about 22c/L.

Mortgage owners have been left drowning in soaring monthly payments due to rising interest rates

Mr Albanese said he wants to combat the spiralling bills facing everyday people by raising wages.

He is expected to address the economic crisis at his upcoming Jobs and Skills Summit in early September.

The summit will discuss unemployment, limited skilled workers and wage growth. 

Labor’s Treasurer Jim Chalmers is set to deliver his first budget in October.