Australian Greens elect David Shoebridge as new leader — ABC News Australia

In Australia, the Greens party has elected David Shoebridge as its new leader. After defeating Mehreen Faruqi and Sarah Hanson-Young in a competitive vote, he said he would focus primarily on the rising cost of living.

According to ABC News Australia, Shoebridge said ordinary Australians have found life significantly harder. He also stated that the Greens aim not to improve the Labor Party, but to replace it.

Pressure on the government from both sides

The new Greens leader is focusing on the situation of young Australians facing financial pressure and places responsibility for their difficulties on the Labor government. At the same time, the One Nation party is attracting support from right-wing voters dissatisfied with the economic situation.

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The Australian government is under pressure over inflation and low productivity. Reserve Bank of Australia Governor Michele Bullock said inflation is too high and is driven by domestic pressures related to the economy's productive capacity. According to her, productivity is not growing.

Inflation and budget spending

Australia's annual headline inflation rose to 4%, largely due to more expensive fuel, while the core measure remained at 3.6%. At the same time, monthly figures for August declined for both headline and core inflation.

Treasurer Jim Chalmers linked the recent inflation spike primarily to the war in Iran. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said additional cost-of-living support measures could be announced in the December budget update. ABC also notes that the government proposes spending on free vocational education and training, free doctor visits, cheaper medicines and student debt relief, while the country's budget retains a structural deficit.