Australians woke up today to another brutal reminder of Labor’s cost-of-living crisis.

Inflation has jumped to 4.6 per cent.

That means the weekly shop hurts more. Filling the car hurts more. Paying the mortgage hurts more. Rent, power, insurance, groceries, and school costs. Every family knows the truth because they live it every day.

Labor promised relief.

But for everyday Australians, things have gotten worse.

The Reserve Bank’s cash rate is already sitting at 4.1 per cent, with another decision due on May 5. That means mortgage holders are now staring down the barrel again.

Families who did the right thing, worked hard, saved, borrowed responsibly and built a life are being punished by a government that cannot get the basics right.

Jim Chalmers will blame world events.

Anthony Albanese will blame anyone else.

But Australians know Labor has choices. Labor chose more spending. Labor chose more red tape. Labor chose a reckless energy agenda that makes Australia weaker and more exposed. Labor chose a Big Australia mass-immigration program while families struggle to find a home they can afford.

This is what happens when Labor forgets the people who pay the bills.

Inflation is not an abstract number. It is the mum putting groceries back on the shelf. It is the tradie paying more to fill the ute. It is the young couple watching their home deposit disappear. It is the pensioner afraid to open the power bill.

Labor talks about compassion. But there is nothing compassionate about making life unaffordable.

Australia needs lower spending, cheaper energy, secure borders, more homes, and a government that backs families rather than burdens them.

The cost-of-living crisis is not over.

Under Labor, it is burning hotter.

And Australian families are paying the price.