AdvertisementPoliticsFederalInflation Chalmers admits wage growth at risk with rate rise on cards Brittany Busch January 29, 2026 — 11:41am Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Got it Share A A ATreasurer Jim Chalmers has failed to reassure Australians that real wage growth will continue and living standards won’t go backwards after inflation jumped, all but guaranteeing an interest rate rise next week. Treasurer Jim Chalmers addressed a higher-than-expected inflation rate. Alex Ellinghausen The treasurer said it remained to be seen whether real wage growth would continue as forecast in last year’s budget after the higher-than-expected inflation figures. “We’ll see how, what kind of outcomes we get on wages,” Chalmers said.