Doorstop Interview with the Hon Angus Taylor MP & Senator the Hon Michaelia Cash
Senator Cash
Well, it’s fantastic to yet again have the Shadow Treasurer Angus Taylor joining the Western Australian Team in Western Australia on the ground this week. Angus is a great friend to WA, he knows our state incredibly well having spent a lot of time here in his previous life before he went into politics. But certainly as we’ve been out and about on the ground talking to businesses in WA, talking to the people of Western Australia – his appreciation in particular of our hard fought battle to get that extra share of GST has been commended. And I do note that this week, the Grattan Institute has provided to the government a suite of measures that they may wish to consider in relation to the upcoming Federal Budget. And one of those measures is reversing WA’s GST floor. And Angus has called on the Federal Treasurer as I do on behalf of the Western Australian Liberal Team to absolutely outright reject that recommendation – WA deserves its fair share of GST. Under the former Coalition government, we legislated that and I need a guarantee (as does Angus) on behalf of the people of Western Australia that this will not ever change under Mr. Albanese because it will never change under a future Dutton and Angus Taylor led government. We’ve also though been out about talking to people in WA about what matters to them. And the unemployment figures today. And we always welcome low unemployment. That is something that we always strive to achieve when we were in government. Low unemployment is good but that’s not what people are talking to us about. They may have a job but that job is not helping them with the increase in the electricity, with the food inflation when they walk into that supermarket and they actually pay more for the exact same basket that they bought the week before. For those with a number of them, who are on that cliff – they’re going from a fixed rate to a variable rate. And they know what that means for them, they have rising costs of living, that are actually now hitting their families and their families back pockets each and every day. And they are calling on the Albanese government to stop talking to stop saying that they’re having a conversation. What are they actually doing now? And what will they be doing in that upcoming budget to address those cost of living pressures. And to date, we have absolutely nothing coming out of Anthony Albanese. But again, it’s great to have the Shadow Treasurer here with me. Tonight, he’s launching for the Western Australian Liberal Party, our Blueprint 2025. We listened to the people of Western Australia. They made it very clear their verdict on us at the last State in particular election. Since then we’ve listened, we’ve learned and tonight is the culmination of a lot of work that we’ve done to ensure that we are on that pathway forward to getting even more members in the Liberal Party elected to Parliament at that next State election. So Angus it is great to have you here. Thank you again, for your commitment to Western Australia. Thank you also though for understanding the benefits that Western Australia with its mining and resources economy brings to the national economy.
Angus Taylor
Thanks Michaelia, it’s great to be with you, great to be in Western Australia and great to be with one of the great advocates for Western Australia in our Parliament. Who does an extraordinary job in making the case for the issues that really matter for this great state and safe place – such a crucial role in our economy, and provides an extraordinary amount of revenue for all Australians. And it is crucial Western Australia gets its fair share. Can I say on the jobs figures that have come out it’s good to see a continuation of the very strong labour market that Labor inherited when they came into government. That is important that Australians get those opportunities in the job market. They get the opportunities to get out there and have a go and make a good income. But the real pressure that Australians are facing as Michaelia just said is on their cost of living pressures, businesses facing real cost pressures and I’m hearing this loud and clear as I get around businesses here in Western Australia. Those pressures are bearing down and there is more pain in the pipeline. There is more pain in the pipeline, as hundreds of thousands of Australians move from fixed rate mortgages to floating rate mortgages in the coming months. That is pain that will be felt around the kitchen table, it will be pain that will be felt having to take on extra hours and pain that will be felt in the way families deal with these extraordinary pressures? Now we need a government that stops running away from these pressures and starts addressing them head on. We don’t need a Treasurer that hides behind the Reserve Bank on these issues. We don’t need a Treasurer that hides behind in forecasting is grim, constant forecasting and commentary. We need leadership and we’re not seeing this from the Labor Party. There is much that government can do, the idea that you leave this to the Reserve Bank will impose more pain on Australians, more unnecessary pain on Australians. The government can play a role taking pressure – those cost of living pressures and business cost pressures that Australians are facing across board. we need to see a clear plan in the budget that addresses these pressures, a plan with real fiscal constraint not just talking about, not just talking about, not adding $115 billion of spending, as the government did in the last budget. We need to see a government that manages its spending, just as all Australian households right now are having to manage their spending. We need a government that doesn’t make a bad situation worse, we need to see them, ensuring that we’ve got sensible energy policies in place, not heavy handed government interventions. And most of all, we need a government that doesn’t raise taxes. We saw an increase in the last national accounts of seven percent in tax payments by Australian families… seven percent. Now, that is not what’s needed in the middle of the cost of living crisis, to raise taxes further – whether it was superannuation tax, franking credits, income taxes… We know the government is running the ruler over many taxes and the Grattan Institute has given them a new menu to work with higher taxes and not answer the challenge that Australians are facing. We want to see a clear plan that takes those pressures off Australians. Happy to take questions.
Journalist
What’s your reaction to comments by the Commonwealth Bank’s Chief Economists today that household income is likely to collapse later this year, and interest rates may need cut sooner rather than later?
Angus Taylor
Well unlike the Treasurer I don’t spend my time forecasting. What I focus on is the options that the government has available to lift, to take pressures off Australians at a really difficult time. And what we need to see is a government that doesn’t act with taxes. A government that has policies that are going to take pressures off, that recognizes that if Australians are having to work hard to make ends meet, the government should work hard to make ends meet. These are the sensible measures that government can do. We don’t need a Treasurer and a Prime Minister who hides behind the Reserve Bank, who runs away from mentions, who fails to take responsibility. I mean how many times we told during the election campaign, the government will be taking responsibility. Well, I see no sign of them taking responsibility for these costs of living pressures Australians are facing.
Journalist
So, What should they be doing? How would they go about doing it?
Angus Taylor
Well, I’ve just said a whole bunch of things that they should do. Well I have, I mean first of all at the last budget they dropped a focus on budget balance. I mean if Australians are having to manage their budgets, the government should manage its budget’s and that’ll take pressure off interest rates and inflation. They dropped that commitment to budget balance in the last budget. That’s the first time since a fiscal strategy was established in the budget by Peter Costello, that budget balance has been dropped – it’s gone. They’ve dropped their commitment to a tax to GDP ratio of 23.9%. This is a government that wants to tax Australians more at exactly the time when they’re facing real pressures. So there are sensible things government can do, they will make a difference, they will take pressure off. And it’s time to stop hiding behind the Reserve Bank and others running away from the issue, which is what we’re seeing right now from the Treasurer.
Journalist
Jim Chalmers said it’s remarkable that the unemployment rate has held steady given the global pressures on the economy. Do you agree with that comment?
Angus Taylor
Oh, it’s a strong labour market. We see stronger labour markets around the world and that’s a good thing. I mean, we were very unfortunate, it was very strong focus during the pandemic, that when we came out of the pandemic we would have a strong labour market. Now the challenge for the government is to focus on those cost of living pressures. Part of the reason why Australians are working more and working harder is they have to… to meet those cost of living pressures. We welcome the fact that the demand is there for people to work hard, that’s great. But we need to see a government that is confronting head on those real pressures Australian households and businesses are facing when managing the costs that we’re seeing out there here in Western Australia as much as the rest of Australia.
Journalist
On the Candidate Blueprint being launched today in reference by Senator Cash just wondering as someone who hails from New South Wales. What are those on the east make of the WA Liberal Party right now after losing Curtin, Tangney, Hasluck and with you know just two Lower House seats in State Parliament. How dire is the Liberal Party brand in WA right now?
Angus Taylor
Look I’ve been incredibly impressed with how the Liberal Party here is dusting itself off after a really tough time. No doubt about that. Recognizing the measures it has to take, the things it has to do, confronting scenes and dealing with those issues that need to be dealt with. And The Blueprint, I think it is an absolutely brilliant this is the path for me. I’m going to be taking this back to New South Wales. Because what it’s about is attracting and supporting the very best talent we have – great local candidates, great campaigners, great campaign supporters across Western Australia to support our cause. A cause which we firmly believe in and we think can help Western Australians have better lives more prosperity, to realize their aspirations. But we need to sell our message, we need to have a machine that can support those outcomes in the Liberal Party. And that’s what this Blueprint is all about.
Journalist
You kind of answered that just then. But what’s the pitch? What’s in it for those potential candidates given the party’s in opposition in every state, but Tasmania and oppositions not much fun. So, what’s in it for the candidates? How do you attract them?
Angus Taylor
Well, we’re going to give them the support that they need and deserve to win. It’s as simple as that. And, you know, we want great people in the Liberal Party, we need great people supporting our great colours. And that’s what Blueprint is all about. Recognizing that very best local talent right across Western Australia is necessary for us to get back into government here and at the Federal level. And we’re going to support those those great people. And we want the full range of regions across WA, full diversity of people across WA – we want them involved and we need them involved if we’re going to win.
Journalist
They and voters are seeing division in the party over the Voice. What are your thoughts on Ken Wyatt? Who had faith in Mr Dutton’s first decision and he called on Mr Dutton to allow all MPs to have a conscience vote.
Angus Taylor
You know, the difference between us and the Labor Party is we’re allowed to do that, and you see that and often it’s criticised. I say it’s a strength not a weakness. It’s a strength that we can have open and frank debates and that people can hold differences of view. And that is the difference between us and the Labor Party. If you if you take a different point of view in the Labor Party, you get the sack… you get the sack. I mean, is that Australian? Is that what we as a country believe in? So we do believe in strong points of view being put and seen publicly. But you know what? That’s why I’m part of the Liberal Party, that’s what I believe in. And I think it’s what Australians believe in. Now, you know my view on Voice is very clear and it has been clear. I think this is this is the wrong way to solve the problems that we’re seeing on the ground. We are seeing on the ground right now in Alice Springs. And as the Leader of the Opposition is there, the Prime Minister sort of flew in and flew out a while back. But Peter Dutton is there confronting those real issues. And that’s what we want to see fixed, everyone – and there’s no descending there.
Journalist
But you can’t voice a different view on the front bench?
Angus Taylor
Well, the Liberal Party doesn’t sack people for having a difference of view, and this is this is the crucial point. Now, cabinet solidarity is a Westminster tradition – let’s face it. I mean that’s been around for centuries – let’s be clear about that. And that’s part of our Westminster tradition, that our party allows for those differences of view. And that, as I say, that is a strength, not a weakness
Journalist
Is the commentary though, that rightly or wrongly has suggested… I have to admit it’s just the Dan Andrews quote that’s coming into my head that has suggested that the Liberal Party is ‘mean.’ That has been some of the commentary coming from the Voice debate. Whether that’s right or wrong, is that damaging the party’s brand and the attempts to attract better candidates?
Angus Taylor
We want to see Indigenous disadvantage dealt with as much as everyone else. The question is how, and we think this is the wrong way to do it. We believe treating every Australian equally in our constitution is the right way. It’s been part of our tradition since this country was founded, part of our founding document – our Constitution. But we do need to deal with Indigenous disadvantage and we have a strong view about how to do it. And right at the heart of that is dealing with the local issues which Peter Dutton is in Alice Springs now talking about and focusing on. That’s what we want to see – those local challenges dealt with and they’re different in every Indigenous community. We see it in differences in every community across Australia. That’s where we need to deal with the issues.
Journalist
The opposition were looking for replacements for Indigenous Australians Shadow Minister, Attorney General. Who would be the best?
Angus Taylor
They’re matters for Peter Dutton. I’ll leave those to Peter, but we have a great pool of talent in our Party Room, and I’m sure given some time Peter will announce who’s going to take them over.
Journalist
Do you have a view on Kerrynne Liddle?
Angus Taylor
As I say, these are matters for Peter.
Journalist
Senator, can we ask you about the Blueprint tonight? I mean, is it a tough sell the Liberal Party pitch at the moment is WA?
Senator Cash
It is a difficult sell when you’ve been humbled by the people of Western Australia. But let me tell you, as Angus said, we listened, we learned, we picked ourselves up and we knew that we had to change and that is exactly what we have done. As an organisation, we have made a number of changes, including as you know, plebiscites are now the way that we pre-select our candidates, giving the members in the Liberal Party of Western Australia their say in pre-selections. And in relation to Blueprint 2025, there are so many opportunities for people who want to put their hand up, whether it be for a State candidate, or whether it be for someone even in the Party itself in an executive position. This is all about putting in place that plan and showing people we know we have a way forward to the next two elections. And as Angus said, identifying those who want to put their hand up. And could I tell you, there have been dozens that have put their hand up because this is the first time we’ve put in place a formal training program that will equip them with the skills and resources to be the best possible Liberal candidate on the ground. You may not win the next election in 2025, but guess what? Western Australia deserves an effective opposition, Mark McGowan deserves to be held to account for all of his failures, and this is our plan going forward to have the best people with the skills and resources on the ground selling that Liberal message.
Journalist
Have you had any discussions with Basil Zempilas?
Senator Cash
Discussions in relation to?
Journalist
2025.
Senator Cash
Oh look, Basil is a fantastic person and he’s doing a sensational job as the Mayor of the City of Perth. But we’re out there as of today looking for people who are prepared to put their hand up, and I’ve been very humbled by the number of people who have signed up to Blueprint 2025.
Journalist
Would you like the Mayor to be officially in the Liberal fold?
Senator Cash
That’s a decision for Basil Zempilas – not for me. We have great people, though, and in particular, so many women from so many different backgrounds who put their hand up and said, “I actually want to be on that pathway going forward.” They believe in the values of the Liberal Party, they believe in the individual, they believe in choice, they believe in smaller government, they believe in holding Mark McGowan and the Labor Team to account here. I mean, just look at the hospital system in Western Australia. Western Australia deserves an effective opposition and Blueprint 2025 is our pathway forward.
Journalist
We know your position on the Voice and the referendum. But can I ask for your reaction to Ken Wyatt’s resignation from the party entirely? Did that surprise you in any way given his vocal view on the Voice?
Senator Cash
Well ultimately that is a decision for Ken Wyatt. Ken Wyatt is not a member of our Party Room. The Party Room that Angus and I sit in is very, very clear in its opposition to what Mr. Albanese has put forward. If people think an additional layer of bureaucracy in Canberra is going to assist the people on the ground in Laverton and Leonora in Western Australia now. The people on the ground where the Leader of the Opposition, Peter Dutton, is today with Senator Jacinta Nampijinpa Price in Alice Springs, where they are screaming out for help. Not in 6 months, not in 12 months, not in two years – they need help as of yesterday. An additional layer of bureaucracy in Canberra is not going to help them but also like Angus, I am a great believer in the principle of equality of citizenship. Each person in Australia is as valuable as the next one, and to want to divide Australia with a race based division in our Constitution, I say shame on Mr Albanese for doing that.
Journalist
But your own party’s position agreed with constitutional recognition of Indigenous Australian’s?
Senator Cash
Constitutional recognition is fundamentally different to what Mr Albanese is doing – fundamentally different. Our position is very clear. We believe in constitutional recognition of Indigenous Australians, but if you actually want to address the issues they have now, you turn to the local voices, you turn to the regional voices and you listen to them.
Journalist
And the national voice will be comprised of local and regional voices?
Senator Cash
We will listen to local voices and regional voices. You do not add an additional layer of bureaucracy that does not need to be enshrined in our constitution. So many people also find the way Mr Albanese is having this debate quite frankly, offensive. The constitution is our founding document and Mr Albanese is refusing to provide them with any details as to why and how he proposes to change it. The basic questions that Peter Dutton asked him in January of this year have still not been answered. But ultimately, you’ve got to listen to the people on the ground. Listen to Senator Jacinta Nampijinpa Price, standing there today with Peter Dutton in Alice Springs. She wants to see results now, not with an additional layer of bureaucracy in Canberra, not with race-to-race division in Australia. That’s not the pathway forward.
Journalist
Just on Mr Wyatt, having campaigned recently with him for Hasluck and, you know, being side-by-side in Cabinet, is it sad though that it has come to this?
Senator Cash
Again, that is a decision for Mr Wyatt. He’s no longer part of our Party Room.
Journalist
But you have no personal feelings?
Senator Cash
Ken is a very nice person, but he is not a member of the Party Room and he’s no longer a member of the Liberal Party. That’s a decision for Ken Wyatt.
Journalist
But you’re saying that you know Jacinta Price needs to be listened to et cetera, et cetera… Doesn’t Ken Wyatt as an Indigenous Australian, the leader of that community, need to be listened to as well?
Senator Cash
And that’s for Ken to put his views. I don’t agree with them. Let me be very clear, I do not agree with Ken Wyatt’s views. I agree with the views of the Liberal Party Room, with Peter Dutton, with Senator Jacinta Nampijinpa Price, with Warran Mundine, with Senator Kerrynne Liddle, with so many across Australia who live and breathe every single day, issues in Indigenous communities. What Mr Albanese is putting forward – an additional layer of bureaucracy in Canberra. I don’t know anybody who wants more government in their life and that is what Mr Albanese is proposing. But I also speak to people whose parents fled war torn countries, fled communism, fled to come to this country for a better life, and what do they value more than anything? They value equality of citizenship. I value that and I will fight for that every single day.
Journalist
It’s because of equality of citizenship, we wouldn’t be missing most of the closing the gap targets. And this seems to be the more concrete moving away from padlocked advisory bodies doing a similar thing. Do you not accept the argument that there might be some merit into making something far more concrete to close the gap?
Senator Cash
I agree with what Angus said, each and every one of us in the Liberal Party, I think each and every Australian, wants to see better outcomes for Indigenous Australians. But cementing an additional layer of bureaucracy – Angus and I know bureaucracy very, very well having sat in the Ministry for nine years – believe me, an additional layer of bureaucracy and cementing it, to use your words, I can tell you that is not going to address the problems that people have on the ground now. The people in Leonora and Laverton, they wrote to Mr Albanese weeks and weeks ago. They set out for him a clear plan as to what they need. They received nothing. The people in Alice Springs have been screaming out now for months, begging Mr Albanese to deliver them real action on the ground. He has the audacity to fly-in and fly-out, and then head to Melbourne for three days to go to the tennis. Shame on Mr Albanese. Listen to those voices and listen to them now. Thank you all very much.
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