Aussies eye relief for household budgets
Australians will be crying out for some hip pocket relief in this year's federal budget, with the latest polling and economic figures showing households are feeling the pinch.
Personal income tax cuts are expected to be a centrepiece of the budget in two weeks' time.
But the latest Essential poll shows Australians view the cost of living, health and job creation as higher priorities.
More than half of respondents to the poll published on Tuesday rated tackling the cost of living as the top priority for the government, with only 15 per cent mentioning income tax cuts.
Next on the list were improving the health system, creating jobs and addressing housing affordability.
Reducing the budget deficit was a priority for 14 per cent of people, while cutting corporate tax was preferred by six per cent.
Inflation figures confirm Australia won't be raising interest rates any time soon - a relief to indebted households at a time of low wages growth.
The consumer price index for the March quarter rose just 0.4 per cent, even lower than economists had expected.
It kept the annual rate at 1.9 per cent and below the central bank's two to three per cent target band.
Household fuels were a key factor behind the latest inflation rise, with gas prices up six per cent in the quarter to be 10 per cent up on the year.
Electricity prices rose by a more modest 1.8 per cent, but were still 11.7 per cent higher annually.
Other factors were the increased cost of vegetables, secondary education, pharmaceutical products and medical and hospital services.
These were partly offset by falls in overseas holidays, audio, visual and computing services and furniture.
The rise also came despite the latest jobs figures showing a record-breaking run of employment gains have come to an end.