My question is to the Prime Minister. Last year your treasurer boasted the worst of the inflation challenge is now well and truly behind us. Today inflation went up again to 4.3 per cent as Australians brace for a 17th interest rate increase under Labor. Will the Prime Minister acknowledge reality, accept his treasurer was wrong and admit Labor's out of control spending is forcing families and small businesses to pay more for everything?

Today's figures reflect what many Australians are feeling every day. They're experiencing the impact of the cost of living, and we certainly understand that that puts people under pressure. Just like in countries right around the world, the challenges that we face in our economy are serious. The reality is they're not going to be solved overnight, and that is why we're doing two things.

Firstly, we're delivering budgets grounded in responsible economic management and the look for sensible savings. Secondly is that, where we look towards providing cost of living relief to people who are under pressure, we always look at what can we do to make a difference and have an impact in the short term to make an immediate difference to those pressures but in a way that helps to build the longer term strength of the economy and of the nation. So, for example, what the changes that we've made in the tripling of the bulk-billing incentive do is make it cheaper, free. They just need their Medicare card when they go to a doctor, which makes an enormous difference, but it also strengthens Medicare in the long-term. The support for urgent care clinics means that people can get that access and take pressure off emergency departments. But at the same time, it helps to build a stronger healthcare system.

Cheaper medicines, whether it's the $7.70 for pensioners or the $25 for the general public for medicines on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme—what they do is take pressure off people. It means that they're turning up at the chemist and not having to make a choice of which medicine they will purchase and get the advice from their pharmacist. But it also helps because it produces a healthier society. If you get health care right in the first point, then it makes a difference.

We are always navigating the turbulence which the global economy is feeling right now but with our eye on the horizon of how do we build a stronger nation? Free TAFE boosts skills and wages now, but it helps to build a future workforce as well. We know there's more to do. These are tough economic times right around the world, and they're far from over. We have a plan to get through it, and the government that I lead will continue to do everything we can to shield Australians from the worst of the impact. (Time expired)