Jim Chalmers using the budget to ‘pressure and intimidate’ RBA

Treasurer Jim Chalmers is “using the budget” to “pressure and intimidate” the Reserve Bank of Australia into not raising interest rates before the next election, says Former Victoria Liberal Party president Michael Kroger. Mr Kroger’s comments come as Treasurer Jim Chalmers is set to hand down the federal budget on Tuesday night. “Back in black temporarily, because of massively high commodity prices, massive increases in taxations and full employment,” Mr Kroger said. “Chalmers is using the budget and all the commentary around the budget to pressure and intimidate the Reserve Bank into not raising interest rates before the next election.”