Dire inflation update looms as Treasurer finetunes "confronting" economic statement

A deluge of economic news this week could influence the Albanese government's ambitious legislative agenda. 

A consumer inflation update on Wednesday is tipped to show annual inflation running at 6.3 percent with an economic statement from Treasurer Jim Chalmers to be "confronting". 

I speak with Gareth Aird, head of Australian economics at the Commonwealth Bank, who says interest rate rises will hurt households and slow consumer spending.

I also speak with Cassie McCullagh about the "cash in hand" economy and how the Australian Taxation Office is targeting industries which break the law.