Australian opposition focuses on inflation

Australia’s main opposition party officially launched its election campaign yesterday with an emphasis on cutting the cost of living for voters as inflation surges to its highest rate in 21 years. The centreleft Labour Party started campaigning in the westcoast city of Perth for the first time since the Second World War, in a demonstration of how important Western Australia state is to the party’s ambition to win the May 21 contest. Opposition leader Anthony Albanese promised cheaper child care and medicine if he becomes prime minister. Official data released last week showed that Australia’s inflation rose to 5.1 per cent in the year through March. It is the highest annual rate since 2001.