ADAMS: Were joined now by Finance Minister Penny Wong in our Canberra studio. Senator, good afternoon to you.
WONG: Good afternoon, good to be with you again.
ADAMS: Firstly, what do you say to claims that this Budget is all about making up for the carbon tax backflip and regaining some much-needed support, really, from the electorate?
WONG: This Budget is about a strong economy, thats why we want a surplus, but its also about spreading the benefits of the mining boom more widely. Its a Budget which delivers for low and middle income families, people we think deserve more, people who would say this isnt my mining boom, Im not feeling the benefits.
We want to give them more of those benefits, and thats why we want to increase not only Family Tax Benefits, but we want to give a Schoolkids Bonus as well for kids who are going to school, and helping families with the expenses that we know come with that.
ADAMS: You mentioned there the surplus, it is pretty slim, $1.5 billion. The Treasurer said today hed be willing to make more cuts if that were necessary to achieve that surplus. Do you believe theres any more room for cuts?
WONG: The Treasurers right, we are determined to bring the budget back to surplus even if it means making more cuts. In fact, what youve seen is weve had to make cuts to protect the surplus already. Thats how weve delivered it. Because revenues that is, how much tax the Government is getting have actually come down by about $10 billion for the 2012-13 year. Weve made savings to offset that, to protect the bottom line and to grow the surpluses going forward because thats the right thing for families and for households. Thats the way you give the Reserve Bank the maximum flexibility to move. And we know how welcome interest rate cuts are.
ADAMS: Senator Wong, with respect, we know your Government has lost some credibility with voters over the carbon tax, and also recent scandals. Do you believe this Budget is enough to save the Government, and importantly, Julia Gillards leadership?
WONG: Ultimately, voters decide what voters decide. What were doing is making sure we govern properly, that we manage the economy properly. And the figures speak for themselves: an unemployment rate with a five in front of it. An economy thats larger than the one that was in place before the global financial crisis, which puts us in a very different place from most of the other advanced economies. And of course, over three-quarters of a million jobs. In this Budget, what were delivering is more assistance to low and middle income Australia.
ADAMS: Alright Senator, just finally, independents Tony Windsor and Rob Oakeshott say they may now vote with the Coalition to suspend Craig Thomson, which could bring down the Government. How does that sit with you?
WONG: I understand why people are worried about whats in the Fair Work Australia report. Clearly its not appropriate if those allegations are true. But there are obviously processes in place. I understand Mr Thomson has indicated he will make a statement to the House later and these are matters that should be properly dealt with, not only by the House, but by proper processes in the courts of the land. Thats the way our legal system works.
ADAMS: Alright, Senator Penny Wong, we will have to leave it there. Thank you so much for your time this afternoon.
WONG: Thanks Amelia, good to be with you again.
ENDS