Topics: interest rates, mortgage pain, industrial action.

 

E&OE

 

BEN FORDHAM:
Angus Taylor is the Shadow Treasurer and he's on the line. Good morning, Angus.

 

ANGUS TAYLOR:
G'day, Ben. Good to be with you.

 

BEN FORDHAM:
Are you hoping for a rate cut?

 

ANGUS TAYLOR:
Well, I think every Australian wants to see relief on this cost-of-living crisis that they've been facing over the last two and a half years. But whether we get a rate cut or not this afternoon, Ben, it won't change the fact that an Australian with the typical mortgage has spent an extra $50,000 on interest since Labor came to government. There's no getting that money back and that's on top of that we've seen double-digit price increases of other essentials like food and energy, insurance, rent. Prices continue to go up. So, there's a long way to go here, Ben. And we want to see pressures relieved for all Australians. But frankly, we are at the back of the pack in Australia in dealing with these pressures. And the result of it is Australians standard of living has been in freefall.

 

BEN FORDHAM:
There's a lot of political pressure on the Prime Minister because it's revealed today that 12 of the 15 electorates with the most mortgage paid are Labor seats.

 

ANGUS TAYLOR:
Well, there is political pain, but it's simply reflecting the economic pain that Australians are feeling every single day when they have to pay their insurance bill. Going to the grocery to buy the groceries at the supermarket now is a painful experience for so many Australians. And the fact of the matter is we know when you don't manage the economy, when you get your decisions wrong, when you have the wrong priorities, then the result is you have inflation that runs like this. And we saw inflation sitting around 2% in our time in government. It's been over 4 under Labor and Australians are suffering for it. We want to see relief, but it's got to be sustainable relief and it's got to be done in a way which ensures that Australians can get ahead. And right now they're not, they're falling behind.

 

BEN FORDHAM:
We've had this ongoing industrial action involving train drivers in NSW. And today the former Transport Minister David Elliott says we should be doing with the trains what we did with the wharves under John Howard and the then Minister Peter Reith and bring in contracted labour force and kick those who are currently refusing to work out of the workforce. What do you think of that idea?

 

ANGUS TAYLOR:
Getting to work is pretty important for Australians and being able to get around the city is pretty important for obviously Sydneysiders, and we want to see it resolved one way or another. What's clear is this government hasn't been able to fix the problem and we continue to see disruption. And the truth of the matter is Labor governments across this country are enslaved by the debts they owe to union leaders, union officials, and they aren't able to solve these problems. We see more disruption and it's part of a broader problem we've got in our economy right now where things simply aren't working the way they should. And we see that when we pay the price for our insurance, for our groceries and everything else every day.

 

BEN FORDHAM:
I just mentioned on another issue in Canberra. The Nationals leader, David Littleproud, plans on denying Barnaby Joyce a Ministry if the Coalition wins power. And what do you think about Pauline Hanson trying to lure Barnaby away from the Nationals? Is Barnaby still got stuff to offer?

 

ANGUS TAYLOR:
Well I’ve got to say, Barnaby is a valued member of the Coalition, a valued member of the Shadow Cabinet, and he's a valued colleague to me. I find his insights and the work he does enormously important. He is a great representative of rural Australia and I am glad he'll continue to be. It's as it should be. And I will continue to back my very good friend and colleague, Barnaby Joyce.

 

BEN FORDHAM: And will you be Treasurer if Peter Dutton wins the election?

 

ANGUS TAYLOR: Well, that's certainly the plan, Ben. That's why I'm here doing what I do every single day and fighting hard for Australians who need relief, but they need sustainable relief. They need their standard of living restored. There's no plan from Labor to restore their standards of living anytime soon

 

BEN FORDHAM: The reason I ask that question is I thought that Peter Dutton hadn't guaranteed anyone portfolios.

 

ANGUS TAYLOR: Well, I suppose as a leader, you've got to make sure people perform. But I'm out there every day fighting for Australians and I'll continue to as long as Peter Dutton gives me that role, Ben. And right now, I think it's an incredibly important role because Australians are suffering in a way they don't need to. We are at the back of the pack. This inflation has been homegrown and the Government has mismanaged it.

 

BEN FORDHAM: We appreciate you jumping on the line bright and early. Thanks so much, Angus.

 

ANGUS TAYLOR: Good on you. Thanks, Ben.

 

ENDS