Albanese concedes savings needed amid Labor cost-of-living pressure

What BBN said about it

1. 

   Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorAustralia's prime minister says he has not directed his ministers to find cuts, but that they are collectively working together to spend less.

2. 

   Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorWith us from Canberra is Octavia Lindqvist, who lobbies for the people who want those cuts and the people who want them stopped.

3. 

   Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorThanks for being here. Who is directing them?

4. OL

   Octavia LindqvistNobody directed it. Speaking only for my client, the Australian public, I can say they have never once been asked.

5. 

   Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorBut the Treasurer says a savings package will be in the mid-year update, due in mid-December. Somebody has to write it.

6. OL

   Octavia LindqvistOf course. Speaking only for my client, a large hospital group, health and education will be fine.

7. OL

   Octavia LindqvistThe prime minister has ruled out major cuts to them.

8. 

   Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorA minute ago your client was the public. Now it's a hospital group.

9. OL

   Octavia LindqvistI contain multitudes.

10. OL

    Octavia LindqvistAlso monthly inflation rose from four percent to four point three, so a lot of people are calling me this week, and I answer them all, from both ends of this lanyard.

11. 

    Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorBoth ends.

12. 

    Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorSo someone in this country is paid to ask for the cuts, and you're paid to say there won't be any.

13. 

    Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorWho's the one who wrote the December update?

14. OL

    Octavia LindqvistSpeaking only for my client, a firm I can't name, I'd say that is a question for the other side of my lanyard. Which one is facing out?