Event: ComminsJim Chalmers

Chalmers defends ‘good people’ of the PC from WA premier’s sledgesPatrick ComminsJim Chalmers has said the WA premier’s insults directed at the independent Productivity Commission were inappropriate, as he defended the “public-minded, public-spirited people” at the government’s top economic advisory body.Roger Cook previously labeled the PC as “east coast clowns” after the PC released a scathing interim report into the Morrison government’s 2018 sweetheart GST deal, which has delivered tens of billions of extra taxpayer dollars to the country’s richest state.The attacks have sparked a spirited defence from leading PC officials over the past 24 hours.When asked about Cook’s sledge, Chalmers told journalists this afternoon: “I don’t believe that is appropriate. double quotation markI think you can disagree with the conclusions of the Productivity Commission without denigrating them. I think it’s important that, even when those conclusions are contested, as they often will be, that we continue to respect the people of the PC and the really important work that they do. Jim Chalmers. Photograph: AAPThe treasurer also defended Anthony Albanese, who has already pre-empted the PC’s final report by ruling out any changes for as long as he is prime minister.Albanese yesterday dismissed the PC officials as “economic rationalists” but Chalmers denied this was meant as an insult.“I don’t consider what the PM said to be inappropriate but I think some of the other commentary around it [the PC report] has been unfortunate,” he said.Key events24m agoMajor childcare provider Edge Early Learning goes into voluntary administration1h agoChalmers defends ‘good people’ of the PC from WA premier’s sledges2h agoNSW police investigating after alleged theft of $350,000 in oysters3h agoMoment of silence in Porepunkah for slain officers4h agoNT Labor MP Luke Gosling stands aside as special envoy4h agoInflation eases less than expected to 3.5%4h agoNine lifts profits while turning focus to…