PM promotes working from home to save Australians money

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is promoting working from home as a way for Australians to save money during the cost-of-living crisis. He claims that commuters can save thousands of dollars each year by working remotely. This proposal comes as Labor seeks to address household financial issues ahead of the upcoming election. Labor is focusing on the expenses of commuting, particularly in major cities. They say that working from home can help Australians avoid high transport costs, which are estimated to average $3,056 annually for commuting two days a week. Labor’s calculations suggest that in cities like Sydney and Melbourne, these costs can exceed $5,000 a year. In response, Opposition Leader Peter Dutton is focusing his efforts on limiting remote work among public servants. He argues that more public employees should return to the office, and he has called for a reduction in the public workforce. Dutton believes taxpayers deserve to know their money is being used efficiently. Labor noted that over one-third of Australians are working from home in some capacity. On another front, the government recently announced an energy bill subsidy to help with rising energy costs. However, Dutton criticized this plan, calling it a “Ponzi scheme” that merely returns taxpayer money without addressing the root of energy costs. As Labor outlines its financial support policies, the government faces challenges, including a budget deficit and rising inflation, as they prepare for the upcoming federal election.