Topics: Housing policy, Labor-Greens coalitions, Pollie Pedal 2024 

E&OE 

 

STEPHEN CENATIEMPO:   

Let's talk federal politics with the Shadow Treasurer and Member for Hume Angus Taylor. Angus, good morning. 

  

ANGUS TAYLOR: 

G’day Stephen, good to be with you.  

  

STEPHEN CENATIEMPO:  

There'd be very few things you'd agree with Adam Bandt and the Greens on, but I mean this housing policy that Labor is trying to cram through in the Senate, the Greens and the Coalition are both opposed to it, but the ACT Government thinks great idea - just don't get into a Coalition with them.  

 

ANGUS TAYLOR:  

Well the ACT Government has always liked policies that don't deliver housing Stephen, let's be clear, and that's exactly where this Federal Labor Government is. They set this housing target at 1.2 million. They're going to be 400,000 short according to experts. They're not even going to get close. That's why we've announced an alternative approach. A $5 billion housing fund, we strongly believe it'll deliver 500,000 houses by targeting the pieces of infrastructure that are going to actually get housing moving. And we're not seeing that around the country right now. Whether it's water utilities, electricity, whether in fact, it's road transport, all of those things, or approvals, indeed, which has been a major challenge in Canberra of course. We need to see those things opened up and we'll get more housing. But I tell you what, there's no sign of that happening in Canberra. And a Labor-Greens Coalition, which is what's been in place in Canberra for many years, as you know, Stephen, including having greens in the Cabinet. I mean, what an extraordinary statement, and what extraordinary hypocrisy from Andrew Barr. 

  

STEPHEN CENATIEMPO:   

No two ways about it. We spoke to Michael Sukkar about the Coalition's housing policy yesterday, ACT Senator, Katy Gallagher has come out and said, well, that's exactly the same as our policy. Where does it differ? 

  

ANGUS TAYLOR:  

Well, it differs enormously. I mean, we are targeting those pieces of infrastructure that are actually going to open things up in my electorate, we see a range of things holding back big housing developments that have stalled. We see that with road projects. We see that, indeed, with water projects, with Sydney Water and in some places, it's approvals that need to be given, plus the infrastructure will get the housing going. But we're not seeing that targeted investment from Labor. They're focused on social housing, now social housing is important, but it's not going to get the houses out there and built that millions of Australians need if they're going to get into a home. 

  

STEPHEN CENATIEMPO:   

Yeah, it's an extraordinary situation we find ourselves in. I mean, the answers are pretty obvious, but unfortunately we've put the brakes on it for far too long. Now, there was a story in the Australian the other day suggesting that Labor is planning to basically run their entire election campaign as a negative anti Peter Dutton campaign. Is this going to resonate with people? 

  

ANGUS TAYLOR: 

Well, this is what Anthony Albanese does, because he doesn't have any policy that he's prepared to talk about when he's announced many of his policies after the election, not before. His focus is on attacking the man and not the ball and that's exactly what he did at the last election. And it seems that's what he will do at this election. It's what he does in the Parliament every single day, including in the last sitting of Parliament. We saw him doing exactly that with me, indeed. And this is Anthony Albanese's play. This is what he does. I don't think Australians want that. I know they don't want that. I know what they want right now is a Prime Minister who's focused on sorting out the problems that they're facing. Cost of living at the top of the list, lack of housing of course, is a crucial part of that, and Anthony Albanese has no answer to those problems. 

  

STEPHEN CENATIEMPO: 

Indeed. Now, Angus I remember back in 1998 hosting a barbecue in Parramatta Park in Sydney, and Tony Abbott and Charlie Lynn and a whole bunch of other politicians, don their lycra and got on their bikes and got on a ride for charity. Here we are, all these years later, Tony Abbott's handed the reins over to you now the annual Pollie Pedal for the Wandering Warriors. You've been going for a couple of days now. Where are you? 

  

ANGUS TAYLOR:   

We're in Merriwa, we were here overnight. I'm in the park here at Merriwa. We're off on our way to Murrurundi. We started in Gosford a couple of days ago, and we'll finish up in Port Macquarie, 1000 kilometeres for the eight days, which is pretty solid riding. Raising money, as you say, for Wandering Warriors. Brilliant cause, it's supporting veterans, and particularly Special Forces veterans, as they go out into civilian life. And we've got a number of those veterans riding with us over the course of this ride. They're tough, good riders so that makes it extra challenging. But a brilliant cause and if any of your listeners want to contribute, wanderingwarriors.org, wanderingwarriors.org and look up Pollie Pedal and you'll see a place where you can donate. We'd appreciate absolutely anything to support this great cause.  

  

STEPHEN CENATIEMPO:  

I spent a lot of my broadcasting career in the part of the world you're in at the moment. I can recommend the bakery in Merriwa and when you get up to Murrurundi, a great little town as you head up the coast. But I remember it must have been about 2011, the Pollie Pedal. They decided they were going to ride up Dorrigo Mountain and a couple of the MPs threw the bikes in the back of the cars and drove up. But Tony Abbott actually rode the whole way.  

  

ANGUS TAYLOR :  

Yeah, Tony is the patron, and he rides most days, and he's still at it. So he's ridden just about all of the Pollie Pedal since 1998. 25,000 kilometeres indeed, over that course of time. And we've raised over $7 million to a range of magnificent causes. And it's a real privilege to be part of this and a privilege to be cycling through these fantastic parts of the country. We came up through the Hunter yesterday, just looking magnificent at this time of year, and beautiful part of the world, and wonderful people. 

  

STEPHEN CENATIEMPO:   

How many pollies have you actually got on the bikes this year?  

  

ANGUS TAYLOR: 

We've got a range, look we tend to find they'll come in and do a short piece or just come in for a dinner. So not everyone rides, but we get lots of people involved. And that's, that's the name of the game, of course. 

  

STEPHEN CENATIEMPO:   

Alright, so Wandering Warriors is where you're raising the money for they provide education, support and opportunities for Special Forces veterans and their families. What's the website again? And how do we donate? 

  

ANGUS TAYLOR:  

Wanderingwarriors.org and go to Pollie Pedal and you can contribute to your favourite rider, of course, contribute to my fundraising you're more than welcome to, or Tony's. We'd love to have any amount of support, it is very much appreciated. 

  

STEPHEN CENATIEMPO: 

It's a great a great effort, and I take my hat off to all of you that do it, because it is a hard slog, 1,000 kilometres. Angus. Good to talk to you. We'll catch up in a couple of weeks. 

 

ENDS.