WONG: There are reports today in the media that a complaint has been made to the Crime and Misconduct Commission in Queensland which references Mr Costello. And there are suggestions in the media that Mr Costello or his clients might benefit from some of the recommendations contained in his (Commission of) Audit Report.
This does raise some questions questions for Premier Newman and Mr Costello, obviously. The first is: Is there a conflict of interest, and, if so, was it dealt with in the Report? Was it disclosed in the Report? Obviously, the only people who can answer that are the people who have access to that Report because it hasnt been released.
The second question is whether or not Mr Costello and his clients could in fact benefit from the recommendations in the Report being acted upon. I think these are legitimate questions for Mr Costello and Mr Newman. I am happy to take questions.
JOURNALIST: Senator, theres a report out today about AiGroup calling for an ETS to come in straight away or very quickly. Any thoughts on that?
WONG: I think Minister Combet has put out a statement on that but Id make a couple of points about the AiGroups comments. First, the AiGroup reflects the views of many people in the business community who know that Tony Abbotts policy will be more expensive for the economy and for their firms. Thats why AiGroup supports an emissions trading scheme rather than the expensive, highly regulated policy that Mr Abbotts proposing.
JOURNALIST: But just in comparison to what is initially outlined in terms of fixed price.
WONG: Thats passed the Parliament and that is already the law of the land that period of a fixed price until it moves to a floating price.
JOURNALIST: Can I just ask there was a question raised in [the luncheon] about 457 visas and the Asian Century. It does seem to be a bit of a conflict in terms of the message; cracking down on skilled migration from the region that were supposed to be engaging with?
WONG: I dont agree. The crackdown, to use your term, is on businesses which are seeking to use 457s to fill positions where it is not positions generated through a genuine absence of skilled Australians to do that job. I think the issue is how the visa system is used. This Government has done more than any government really for a very long time in bringing debate and discussion about Australias future being in this region to the core of public policy.
JOURNALIST: But any program like that is going to have some level of abuse. Is it really worthwhile to, you know, get out the megaphone in a case like this and jeopardise the message that youre trying to get out there?
WONG: As I said, the policy issue is a sound one. The policy issue is that the visa class should be used for genuine skills shortages and not for other reasons and thats the position of the Government.
JOURNALIST: Just on that issue still isnt it the same kind of language used in a completely different debate. You know, putting Aussies at the front of the jobs queue; its the same kind of language that was used in the asylum seeker issue.
WONG: I think youre asking me to get into some commentary there, and Ill leave that to you. I can tell you what is the sensible policy position and thats the answer I gave earlier.
JOURNALIST: Just elaborating on the Peter Costello situation. What do you think should he come forward and clear up these allegations?
WONG: I think Mr Costello should respond to the suggestions in the public reports and think the two questions I outlined at the start are the questions he should address.
JOURNALIST: There was just a bit of a call by Julie Bishop in relation to Ben Zygier what was known, what needs to be said ...
WONG:Ill leave that Minister Carr to respond. He gave a very long press conference yesterday and I understand released or indicated what was in the report to him. I dont have anything to add to that.
JOURNALIST: Any thoughts onevents last night over there (points to Spring Street), or there ... wherever I am? (laughs)
WONG: I watched it unfold on Twitter, as I think a number of people did. Im not privy to what has happened inside the Liberal Party you might be, or maybe you are, but Im not.
All I can say to you is that, as a Federal politician, when I come to Victoria theres certainly been a lot of concern raised about some of the Baillieu Governments cuts to health and education. Its certainly been an issue raised with me. But in terms of the internals of the Liberal Party situation, youd have to ask them.
JOURNALIST: Does it give you a sense of de ja vu at all?
WONG: According to Tony Abbott this was an orderly transition, wasnt it?
ENDS