Workers face longer hours for less pay without productivity boost, Jim Chalmers says

The government is under pressure to deliver cost-of-living relief in the budget, with households facing pressures off the back of 10 consecutive interest rate hikes, rising inflation and looming spikes to electricity prices.

But Chalmers and colleagues have consistently downplayed the prospect of major cost-of-living packages, noting the national debt and the need to pay for major government spending programs like the $368bn Aukus submarines.