Is the government really on an ‘out-of-control’ spending splurge? It’s complicated

The Guardian reports: Defence, the NDIS and health responsible for much of increased government outlays and treasurer Jim Chalmers has few levers to pull Get our daily political email , free app or daily news podcast “Will the prime minister acknowledge reality … and admit Labor’s out-of-control spending is forcing families and small businesses to pay more for everything?” That was the opposition leader, Angus Taylor, kicking off parliamentary question time on Wednesday. The line of attack was no surprise. Official data earlier that day showed inflation jumped to 4.3% in the year to September, from 4% the month before.

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