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Voters in the Gold Coast seat of Fadden will head to the polls for a by-election on July 15.

The by-election was triggered by the resignation of former Liberal frontbencher Stuart Robert, who formally quit federal politics last week.

Voters will have until June 19 to register in the by-election.

The dates were announced by House of Representatives Speaker Milton Dick on Monday.

The safe coalition seat stands on a margin of more than 10 per cent, but Mr Robert suffered a swing of 3.5 per cent against him at the 2022 federal election.

Coalition nominations for the seat closed on Friday, with candidates including Gold Coast Council planning chief Cameron Caldwell and former Queenslander of the Year Dinesh Palipana putting up their hand.

It will be the second by-election in this term of parliament after Labor won the Liberal-held seat of Aston in suburban Melbourne in April.

© AAP 2023

The federal treasurer has defended his budget's cost-of-living relief as interest rate hikes and high inflation hit the hip pockets of many Australians.

"We know that Australians are under the pump. We know that cost of living pressures are biting," Jim Chalmers told reporters in Canberra on Monday.

Welfare advocates, the Greens and independent MPs have been critical of the budget, saying various measures, such as a $40 a fortnight increase to the Jobseeker payment, increased rental support and help with energy bills, do not go far enough.

Dr Chalmers said the budget had helped ease the stress Australians had been facing but acknowledged inflation was still too high.

"That's why so much of the government's focus over the first 12 months has been taking some of the edge off these cost-of-living pressures without adding to inflation."

The treasurer also spruiked a strong jobs market as the government reaches its first year in office.

Treasury analysis of jobs data shows 333,000 more Australians were employed in April 2023 compared to when Labor took office in May 2022.

It was the second-highest increase on record.

"Jobs growth is faster than the major advanced economies and we're seeing the beginnings of welcome wages growth," Dr Chalmers said, seizing on record high female employment, with an extra 21,400 women employed full-time in April and almost 224,000 more since a year ago.

Female unemployment dropped to 3.3 per cent, the lowest since 1973.

"This government is all about building an economy that delivers more opportunities for more people in more parts of our country and central to that is creating more secure, well-paid jobs," Dr Chalmers said.

Almost two-thirds of jobs recorded a higher wage rise than the year before.

The coalition opposition is dismissive of Labor's back-slapping, saying the results are based on strong economic circumstances left by the outgoing Morrison government.

Nationals leader David Littleproud says increased welfare payments in the budget on top of extra spending risked adding pressure to inflation.

"We're saying it's tough for those on welfare, but let's get you back into the workforce," he told the ABC.

"Let's pull the policy levers that bring down your energy prices without having to spend Australian taxpayers' money."

Mr Littleproud also called on the government to bind large supermarkets in a mandatory code of conduct as they reported big profits on the back of higher shelf prices.

"What's happening is our good friends at the supermarket, as usual, are sitting there profiteering off the good old Australian farmer," he said.

Penalties needed to be increased from $64,000 to $10 million.

"Bring in big stick legislation, divestiture powers where if they do farmers over and it's not a transparent price, then you lose a Dan Murphy's," Mr Littleproud said.

Shadow treasurer Angus Taylor chastised the government for overseeing a decline in real wages as pay raises failed to keep up with inflation.

Small businesses were struggling to keep employees and find workers, while families were struggling to keep up with the cost of living following consecutive interest rate hikes, he said.

© AAP 2023

Kalyn Ponga's dramatic start to 2023 has ended with him winning the race for the Queensland No.1 jersey, holding off a challenge from Reece Walsh for the Maroons' fullback role.

Coach Billy Slater will confirm his team on Monday morning for the State of Origin series opener, with Ponga to be the first name read out.

It comes as questions were asked about Ponga's spot in the team while he battled to recover from a fourth concussion in 10 months.

Stood down for five weeks after his head knock in round two, the Knights fullback spent time in Canada for neurological testing to clear him to return.

He then battled form on his comeback to first grade at five-eighth for the Knights, prompting even more doubt over his selection as Walsh fired for Brisbane.

But Ponga has now answered his critics, starring against the Gold Coast last week and scoring a try in Saturday's loss to Cronulla.

The 25-year-old also had one final hurdle to clear when he was taken off the field for a HIA on Saturday, but passed and will be picked by the Maroons to play in Adelaide on May 31.

"We all know Kalyn's history and for him to go off the field. It wasn't great for him," Slater told the Nine Network's Sunday Footy Show.

"But the good sign was he came back on and it didn't look like it affected him. He made some big tackles in the second half. That is the good signs for Kalyn."

Ponga's retention at No.1 comes after he was Queensland's best player in last year's thrilling decider win, in what doubled as arguably his finest hour on the football field.

"It was (unbelievable)," said Maroons five-eighth Cameron Munster, who missed the decider with COVID-19.

"I was sitting in front of the TV screen and I lost my voice watching it as true home-grown Maroon. I was really excited and pumped.

"Hopefully Kalyn is good and his head is alright. If he is, then I am sure he will be ready and raring to go.

"Regardless of who is playing fullback we have got electrifying players. Reece Walsh and Kalyn Ponga are great assets for our team and provide X factor."

Ponga's selection will be one of several crucial calls made by Maroons selectors when they unveil a team captained by halfback Daly Cherry-Evans for the fifth straight series.

Melbourne flyer Xavier Coates is expected to be left out after missing the final two games last year through injury, with Selwyn Cobbo and Murray Taulagi likely to be the two wingers.

Veteran Dane Gagai has kept his spot in the side and will likely partner Valentine Holmes in the centres.

Felise Kaufusi's looming ban for a high shot will mean at least one of Jai Arrow or David Fifita will be recalled, with Kurt Capewell and Tom Gilbert locked into the back row.

Tino Fa'asuamaleaui could also have some judiciary concerns, after his forearm connected with Reed Mahoney's head in a hit up on Sunday.

Tom Flegler is also set to earn a recall for the first time since his sole experience in Origin III of 2021, as one of four Broncos alongside Cobbo, Capewell and lock Pat Carrigan.

J'maine Hopgood and Corey Horsburgh had been contenders for the other bench spots, but look set to miss out after a selection meeting on Sunday evening.

PREDICTED QUEENSLAND SIDE

Kalyn Ponga, Selwyn Cobbo, Valentine Holmes, Dane Gagai, Murray Taulagi, Cameron Munster, Daly Cherry-Evans, Tino Fa'asuamaleaui, Ben Hunt, Lindsay Collins, Kurt Capewell, Tom Gilbert, Pat Carrigan. Bench: Harry Grant, Reuben Cotter, Tom Flegler, David Fifita/Jai Arrow.

© AAP 2023