ROWLAND: Senator Penny Wong, the Federal Minister for Finance and Deregulation joins us now from the ABCs Adelaide newsrooms. Senator Wong, good morning.
WONG: Good morning Michael, good to be with you.
ROWLAND: Well get to Tony Abbott shortly, but firstly can I ask you what would the Federal Governments response be if Gina Rinehart ended up owning close to fifteen per cent of Fairfax, on top of her ten per cent stake in the Ten TV Network?
WONG: I saw that report in the paper and I understand its unconfirmed. Its obviously a matter for her, if she chooses to do that.
ROWLAND: Is it good for a single person to own such a big stake in two of the biggest media assets in the country?
WONG: I think from a politicians perspective, weve got to deal with the media as they come, regardless of who owns them and answer questions from all of you. Thats the way I approach it.
ROWLAND: Many Labor supporters accuse Gina Rinehart of running an anti-Labor campaign. Obviously she opposed the mining tax vociferously. But they fear this could translate through her ownership of, or her stake in Ten, and also what could be a controlling stake in Fairfax. Do you agree with that criticism?
WONG: Thats probably a question youd need to address to her, rather than to me. Our position on the mining tax is clear. We think that wealthy mining companies should pay a fair share of tax. Well use that to deliver tax cuts to small business and tax cuts for low income earners on superannuation. Both of these things Tony Abbott opposes.
ROWLAND: Tony Abbott, lets get back to his National Press Club address yesterday. He used that to outline his early economic blueprint. Of course were awaiting some of the fine details. He has promised to get the budget back in surplus, offering tax cuts beyond what hes already promising to keep in place, the tax cuts associated with the carbon tax, while also holding out the aspiration, as he puts it, of a Medicare funded dental scheme. Is such an economic prescription achievable from your perspective?
WONG: Can I say first Michael, I watched that speech, and I thought it might be a new year, but its certainly the same old Tony same old sledging, same old negativity, and the same complete absence of a vision for the nation. What he did do yesterday that was of note was walk away from the commitment to deliver tax cuts without a carbon price. What he said last year, over and over again was Ill give you tax cuts without a carbon price. We said you cant afford it. He said yes Ill give you tax cuts without a carbon price. You know what he did yesterday? He walked away from it. What he said to people is, actually I might give you tax cuts without a carbon price, if you vote for me twice. And the reason hed have to do that is because he has a $70 billion black hole, and he hasnt yet worked out what hes going to cut to fill it.
ROWLAND: His office has clarified those comments. He said he was referring to tax cuts, possibly personal income tax cuts, above and beyond those tax cuts already promised.
WONG: Oh right, okay. This is the spin for the next day. Well I think his speech is very clear. He said more tax cuts in prospect after youve voted for me twice. Last year he said absolutely iron clad, Im going to give you tax cuts without a carbon price. The reason hes had to walk away from it is he cant afford it. I mean this man is an economic charlatan. You cannot fund tax cuts when you have $70 billion worth of services that you have to cut just to meet all the unfunded promises youve made. And thats the position Tony Abbott and the Opposition are in.
ROWLAND: The economy, as you well know as Finance Minister, is going to be one of the key political battlegrounds this year. Most domestic and international commentators agree that the Australian economy stands out like a beacon compared to many others around the world. So, why is the Federal Government having so much trouble selling what has been a good economic success story to sceptical voters?
WONG: What Id say to Australians, is, I know theres a lot of news out there about the troubles in Europe. I know theres a lot of people in the Opposition who are prepared to trash the economy. Really, thats what Tony Abbott does, he doesnt just attack the Government, he trashes the Australian economy, an incredibly inappropriate thing to do from a political leader. What Id say to Australians is, just have a look at our unemployment rate. Unemployment in Europe just out is about 10.4%, thats double Australias. Double Australias. We have low public debt, weve got relatively low unemployment, lower interest rates, and lower taxes than under the Howard Government. Weve got a lot of work to do, as the international economy changes, and were able to do it.
ROWLAND: The Prime Minister is going to be giving a speech in Melbourne today, outlining the Governments economic record. How much of an uphill fight does she therefore have to face given those opinion polls are still really not moving in the Governments favour?
WONG: Politics is a tough game, isnt it? But, I think Prime Minister Gillard demonstrated last year that shes pretty tough, she delivered some very big reforms, weve seen the passage of the carbon price, weve seen the passage through the lower house of the mining tax, very important for the future of the nation. And what shell outline today will be, again, all about the future. And this is the difference. She looks to the future, looks to what we have to do to build a better future for our children. Tony Abbotts just interested in slinging mud.
ROWLAND: If we look at another aspect of Tony Abbotts speech yesterday, he accused Fair Work Australia of, in his words, an institutional go-slow to help the Government in regards to its investigation into Labor MP Craig Thomson. Kathy Jackson of the Health Services Union has gone further, suggesting to 7:30 last night that theres been political interference from the Government in that investigation. What is the situation, Minister, with that investigation?
WONG: First, Id say, as Ive said before, another example of Tony Abbott using every opportunity just to engage in mudslinging. Thats what he does. Hes good at it, but thats what he does. In terms of other comments which have been made Id say two things. Firstly, Fair Work Australia is an independent body. Theres no evidence of any interference. If anybody has evidence of interference, they should bring that forward, rather than this sort of speculation.
ROWLAND: When are they going to report? Its been three years since they started this enquiry.
WONG: The fact that I cant answer that demonstrates that this is independent. Its not appropriate for Ministers in the Government to be engaging with independent bodies, in the same way its not appropriate for politicians to be telling the police what to do. This is how our system works, and we respect that.
ROWLAND: Penny Wong do you agree with Simon Crean that Kevin Rudd is not a team player?
WONG: I made a New Years resolution, it was this - that Im really not going to engage in any further comment or speculation about these sorts of matters. Im very focused on the big issues. And I think thats what voters want us to be focused on. You know, how do we ensure jobs, lock in prosperity in this century, how do we ensure a better future for our children. These are the things that a Government should be focused on, and thats what Im focused on.
ROWLAND: Well see how long that resolution lasts. Finance Minister Penny Wong, thank you for your time this morning.
WONG: Good to speak with you, Michael.
ENDS