Australian inflation increased to 4.3 percent in September, fueling political debates over government spending ahead of expected central bank rate hikes.
Australian inflation reached 4.3 percent in the year to September, pushed higher by rising fuel costs and an underlying quarterly inflation rate of 3.7 percent. Both figures sit above the Reserve Bank of Australia's 2.5 percent target, increasing expectations of further interest rate increases.
The opposition has accused the government of driving inflation through increased expenditure. However, key drivers of the rising public outlays remain concentrated in committed areas such as defence, health services and disability support.