Jim Chalmers says May budget to have ‘much bigger focus’ on tackling entrenched disadvantage

Exclusive: Treasurer says ‘best way to shift the needle’ is to ‘find out where those challenges are most acute’, and ‘this is something I care deeply about’Australian politics podcastFollow our Australia news live blog for the latest updatesGet our morning and afternoon news emails, free app or daily news podcastTreasurer Jim Chalmers has revealed he will use the May budget to spearhead “a much bigger focus” on entrenched disadvantage in Australia’s most vulnerable communities to ensure people have better pathways to economic participation.Chalmers told Guardian Australia’s politics podcast he was working with the social services minister, Amanda Rishworth, on a new package that would “identify some of the most vulnerable communities in our country, work out how to empower local leaders and pool our resources and make a meaningful difference to some on the entrenched disadvantage that’s in our country”.Sign up for Guardian Australia’s free morning and afternoon email newsletters for yo