The Issue: Business boss Andrew McKellar gives his verdict on Treasurer Jim Chalmers and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese

Detailed summary

Defence recently confirmed a plague of unidentified flights above RAAF bases. Industry insiders tell us drones are now a critical danger for us all. In this week's episode of The…

Canberra is abuzz with speculation about Treasurer Jim Chalmers’ future after five interest rate hikes in a year, controversial tax changes, a slumping property market and stubbornly high inflation.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is also feeling the heat with Labor’s primary vote slipping under 30 per cent in a majority of the published polls, as the prolonged cost of living crisis bites voters.

For this week’s episode of The Issue podcast, 7NEWS has talked to the boss of Australia’s largest business group - the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI).

ACCI CEO Andrew McKellar has a close working relationship with the prime minister and treasurer.

McKellar’s text messages with Albanese helped secure a delay to the Australian Tax Office’s credit card ban.

Nevertheless, he says he’s not going to “pull his punches” as business owners suffer from deteriorating mental health due to the state of the economy.

McKellar didn’t give a decisive answer when asked if Jim Chalmers was the best person for the role of treasurer moving forward.

“Oh, look, that’s not up to me, but obviously, look, yes, we have a positive relationship and engagement with him, with the Prime Minister, with other senior ministers,” McKellar told The Issue.

“They make the decisions, not business, but business has to be there contributing with the good ideas.

Opening of the article, excerpted from 7NEWS. To read the rest, open the article on the publisher's site.