In a bid to pressure the Coalition to release its costings, Labor unveiled the cost of commitments made since March’s budget on Monday. However, the parliamentary budget office doesn’t release its full list of costings until after the election.

“We will finish this election campaign with the budget in a stronger position than at the start of the election campaign,” Chalmers told reporters.

Where has Labor found savings?

The change will not affect arrangements for Pacific Island and Timor-Leste applicants.

Treasurer Jim Chalmers and Finance Minister Katy Gallagher have found an extra $1 billion in savings since last month’s budget week. Source: AAP / LUKAS COCH

An extra $6.4 billion will come from reducing spending on consultants, contractors, and labour hire, as well as non-wage expenses such as travel, hospitality, and property.

“We returned that money to budget, and it allowed us to … deliver through our budgets — our investments in Medicare, our investments in housing, the income tax cuts, and other measures like lowering HECS debt,” she said.

Treasurer challenges Coalition to ‘come clean’ on cuts

He said Labor was the only party with a “costed, coherent, and credible plan” for voters.