There’s a press rumour that an empty chair has been seen mulling the budget, at The Australian:
Anthony Albanese will use his first budget reply speech to roll out major economic and social policies, including productivity reforms aimed at repairing skills shortages, and to deliver a pre-election pitch to women, young families, blue-collar workers and older Australians.
The Opposition Leader, who is preparing to fight an election at the back end of next year, is expected to push an alternative jobs and training strategy and the use of local products, labour and research to drive a modern manufacturing sector and support nation-building defence industry and infrastructure projects.