Topics:  Aged care reforms, RBA reforms, Labor’s homegrown inflation 

 

E&OE   

 

ERIN MOLAN: 

Okay, back home, in a show of bipartisanship, the Albanese Government has managed to reach a deal with the Coalition on its $5.6 billion aged care reform, with the idea to keep more Australians in their home for longer. Take a look.  

 

[AUDIO of PM, Aged Care Minister Anika Wells] 

 

Okay, I'm joined now by Shadow Treasurer Angus Taylor. Angus, thank you so much for your time. This is a win for Australia, would you say, for all of us? 

 

ANGUS TAYLOR: 

Well, we're up for sensible reforms in aged care, in the NDIS, and we've said that for a long time, Erin. We've got to make sure that we have a sustainable budget. It hasn't been the case under Labor. We've got to make sure that we contain the growth in government spending, but crucially, we've got to make sure that we've got aged care services that are available for people who need them. And in my hometown, here in Goulburn, that hasn't been the case in the last little while, and it's a big challenge. So we're up for sensible reforms, and we've been working through this with Labor in good faith. It'll go off to a Senate committee, and we'll continue to work with them to make sure that these reforms are as good as they can possibly be, and that we've got a sustainable budget and a sustainable aged care sector crucially, as a result of it.  

 

ERIN MOLAN: 

Angus, it's one thing to make big announcements that look pretty but, like having a nurse qualified person 24/7 at every aged care with the right kind of ratio, etc, etc, they weren't able to deliver that. They promised it, but they weren't able to deliver. How do you make sure they deliver this? 

 

ANGUS TAYLOR: 

Well, exactly right. And we have been deeply concerned about what's been happening in aged care. I've seen aged care facilities closed down in and around where I live, and it's been drastic and dramatic for those communities and of deep concern. So we will be holding to the government, to account on those outcomes. As I say, we've been working with them in good faith. We think there's some areas of policy where it's absolutely crucial both sides give every possible chance for success, and we've certainly been doing this in in the aged care area. And as I say, ultimately, the goal here is to have a sustainable sector and a sustainable budget at the same time. 

 

ERIN MOLAN: 

In a major blow to Treasurer Jim Chalmers' attempts to pass through his RBA reforms, the AFR has reported that three former governors have also voiced their opposition to any changes to the members who set interest rates. Ian MacFarlane, Bernie Fraser and Philip Lowe all want the current structure of the central bank to remain the same, or existing board members to continue setting interest rates. Angus, you withdrew your in principle support for the RBA reforms over the exact same reason, the board's structure. You say it's because a new specialist interest rate setting board could be stacked with Labor aligned figures. Is that the case? 

 

ANGUS TAYLOR: 

That's absolutely right. We've been concerned from the start that the Treasurer would sack and stack the board, would sack the current members and stack it with his people. And the truth is, we're in a situation right now Erin, where the government and the Treasurer are failing in the fight against inflation. Our inflation is higher and more persistent than any other major advanced country in the world. We're seeing interest rates coming down right across the world, in Europe, in the UK and Canada will see them soon in in the US, no doubt. But not here. So the government's failing, and so it wants to blame the Reserve Bank and get control of the Reserve Bank. That's what it's seeking to do because of the failure in its policies. There's a lot the government can do to bring down inflation, and it should focus on those things, not focus on sacking and stacking the Reserve Bank Board.   

 

ERIN MOLAN: 

Is the Treasurer panicking at the moment, do you think? 

 

ANGUS TAYLOR: 

Oh I think he's completely panicked because he's out of touch and he's out of his depth. That's shown up very clearly in recent times. He set off a war of words against the Reserve Bank because he's looking for excuses. He's looking to shift the blame, and he simply doesn't know how to do his job. Well, if he'd got it right from the start, we'd be seeing inflation coming down faster, interest rates coming down. We'd see Australians' standard of living much higher than it is. We've seen a collapse in Australians' standard of living, which is higher - or the biggest collapse - than any other OECD country since Labor came to power. Our standard of living has been in free fall. There's no plan to restore it, and this Treasurer is panicked. You're absolutely right Erin. 

 

ERIN MOLAN: 

I can't let you go without asking about Kevin Rudd's latest temper tantrum. And I hate speaking about a former Prime Minister like this, because I've been raised to always show respect, and I do. But he makes it really hard. The current Australian Ambassador to the US has reportedly lashed out at The Washington Times for suggesting that he was pro China. Angus, the issue I have with this, he's meant to be our ambassador, you know, it's a prestigious job. It's a highly respected role, and he's kind of having these little fights on the side with media outlets? I just, isn't that below the position? 

 

ANGUS TAYLOR: 

That's absolutely right. I mean, there are many former Prime Ministers who act as great statesmen or women, as the case may be, and there are clearly some that don't. And Kevin Rudd is one of those, and it's unfortunate. He's always loved attacking the press when it doesn't say what he wants it to say. That has been his practice for many years, and I'm sure it will continue to be his practice for many years to come.  

 

ERIN MOLAN: 

It just loses its potency, like if I was to arc up at every wrong thing written about me, or something I thought was wrong, I wouldn't have time for anything else in my day. Angus Taylor, thank you so much. 

 

ENDS.