Australia news live update: Labor criticises $16bn in Myefo mystery spending; record high 1,742 NSW Covid cases; 1,622 in Victoria

Jim Chalmers has responded to the mid-year budget update; six injured in Melbourne crash; Qantas forecasts loss exceeding $1.1 billion; Queensland reports 22 new coronavirus cases, 24 in South Australia, NSW records 1,742, Victoria records 1,622; first Omicron case in New Zealand - follow all the day's news

• Myefo budget update reveals huge election war chest but warns of economic uncertainty
• Analysis: Sorting facts from spin in the Coalition's response to grants pork-barrelling claims
• Four children dead and several critically injured after jumping castle blown into air in Tasmania
• Unemployment rate plunges as employers adds record jobs post-lockdown
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More on treasurer Josh Frydenberg's mid-year budget, to be released today.

AAP reports that Frydenberg claims 1m jobs will be created over the next four years as a result of the Morrison government's economic strategy.

Saving jobs and creating jobs is a top economic priority. It's a pathway to a stronger economy, an improved budget bottom line while being fundamental to a healthy and prosperous society.

Mr Frydenberg is telling some Christmas fairytales about wages. For the last eight years wages have basically been in the toilet, they haven't increased at all. Whenever the government says they are going to go up, they don't go as far up as the government promises.

Business and consumer confidence is up, job ads are at the highest level in 13 years. Very strong investment coming from businesses big and small - a sign that people have confidence in our economic recovery.