GILBERT: Minister, thanks very much for your time. Prime Minister Rudd will be meeting with the Business Council this morning whats the Governments message? What are you offering them?
WONG: Good to be here again, Kieran. As the Prime Minister said, its very important for any Government to continue to have good dialogue with business, and this is a priority for him. And we will make sure we have a good preliminary discussion about the things which are important to the countrys future: productivity, how we deal with the change in the global economy and how we make sure we keep the economy growing.
GILBERT: Isnt Mr Rudds rhetoric about rebuilding the relationship and working with business ... doesnt it concede that the approach under the Labor Government thus far has been flawed? And, with you as a key member of the economics team, isnt he suggesting that the Government hasnt worked as well as you should have with business?
WONG: Well, Kieran, I am not going to get into in any context of questions to me some criticism of whats gone before. My focus is on the future. On a very important set of economic challenges and on a very important set of political challenges, which is to make sure we can return the Labor Government that will continue to deliver opportunity to Australians, rather than have a man Mr Abbott who I dont believe is worthy to be Prime Minister.
GILBERT: Mr Rudd says he wants to work with business though, but what sort of olive branch is it if you dont have something to offer them?
WONG: There are very substantial challenges we as a nation have to meet, and the Prime Minister has gone through some of the changes in the global economy and particularly whats happening in the Chinese economy. And the truth is, were best placed to meet them if we can work closely with all sectors of our community, whether it be unions, business and the community more generally.
GILBERT: The Business Council of Australia has called for a floating price a floating carbon price. Will you be indicating your willingness to pursue that?
WONG: Well, Im on record from my time as Climate Change Minister for advocating a floating price, but as you recall, unfortunately we didnt get that through the Parliament because Tony Abbott opposed it and so did the Greens. But, were in a different world now and, with this as with anything, we will carefully consider the issues and we will always look at any policy issue recognising the importance of running a sound budget. Thats good for interest rates and thats good for the economy.
GILBERT: Well, thats the point isnt it? Because if you did move to a floating price, it would leave a multi-billion dollar black hole when you factor in all the compensation thats been paid. And you apparently are Doctor No, according to Mr Rudd, as Finance Minister...
WONG: (laughs) Im not sure hes seen the Bond film that he was referring to unknowingly, but anyway, thats another matter. Finance Ministers are supposed to be Doctor No and Id refer you to what the new Minister for Climate Change, Mark Butler, has said. Hes made very clear that some of the issues you raise are precisely the sorts of issues we have to work through, whether its in this area or any other area of policy.
And can I just remind you why we do that its not because we accept the Tony Abbott view of the world about austerity. We do recognise as a Government, though, that running sound and sensible fiscal policy is an important component of being responsible economic managers. And thats why we see interest rates at record lows.
GILBERT: Now, youve challenged or the Prime Minister has challenged Mr Abbott to an economic debate. Now, hes said hes happy to debate but if you want to, why not recall the Parliament and youll have a debate every day. Isnt your call for an economic debate between Mr Abbott and Kevin Rudd a stunt?
WONG: No. And isnt it hilarious: Tony, big tough Tony, Im so tough I want to run the country, Im so tough banging on about debt and deficit all over the country, but he wont step up to a debate with this Prime Minister on...
GILBERT: Hes happy to.
WONG: ... on an issue that he thinks he owns on an issue that hes been banging on about for months, and months, and months. Well, what we say is: Okay, Tony, well debate you on the issue youve been campaigning on; well debate you on debt and deficit. The reason he doesnt want to debate
GILBERT: But why not do it in a proper forum? Do it in the Parliament?
WONG: Kieran, the reason he doesnt want a debate is because he knows the facts do not support his scare campaign.
GILBERT: But why not do it in the Parliament?
WONG: Thats why he doesnt want a debate.
GILBERT: But hes just saying do it in the proper forum...
WONG: Well, you know the Parliament has risen for the time being. The Prime Minister has said: Okay, youre running around the country telling everyone that Australias debt is out of control. Lets have a debate on the issue youre campaigning on. What does it say about Mr Abbotts character and his lack of courage that he refuses to do so?
GILBERT: You have ... again in the context as Finance Minister, looking at the numbers, youre going to have to say No to a few people, I would guess, in the lead up to the election as well, because theres suggestions that the Government might reverse welfare changes that adversely affected single mothers that again would be an expensive initiative.
WONG: And Id make the point on sole parents as well that one of the things we did do in the Budget which Im very pleased we did was to increase the income free area so increase how much people on that payment could earn before they start losing some of their payments. You increase the incentive, you increase the reward for effort.
But whether its on this or any policy area, my approach will always be the same, that the judgement is: what are the policy priorities, how do we find room for them, and what are the savings we have to make in order to find room for them? Because, ultimately, it is important that any government and this Government continue to run a sensible fiscal policy. Thats an important component of economic management.
GILBERT: But youre open to it; that idea?
WONG: No, Im not going to be drawn on it, Kieran. Im not.
GILBERT: But theres obviously some within the Cabinet that want to do that.
WONG: Well, and it is reasonable for people, particularly people who are new to their portfolios, to scope issues in their portfolios and have discussions with stakeholders. But Im the Finance Minister, and Im not going to be drawn on every article that raises an issue that may or may not be under consideration.
GILBERT: Mr Rudds meant to be a more consultative person in his second iteration. But he didnt phone Kate Lundy to tell her she was going to be dumped from the sports portfolio...
WONG: Well, Im not going to comment on that matter, or those internal matters. I want to make a broader comment about two things. First, my observation is that since Kevins taken over the prime ministership he has engaged in a very collegiate manner, and certainly including with me on things like the makeup of the Ministry and the Cabinet, and I think thats been a good thing.
And the second point Id make is: hes a man whos gone through a lot. And, as we all know, in our personal lives, if you go through a substantial change and he obviously went through some pretty big changes over the last few years of course thats going to make you reflect and consider things.
GILBERT: What do you say to suggestions that appointment ... for arguments sake, if we just look at one appointment, Tony Burke that hes moving into immigration that that is a payback? Retribution for being such a strong supporter of Julia Gillard?
WONG: I think it is a demonstration of the confidence the Prime Minister and others including me have in Tony. Hes an outstanding performer and were putting him in one of our most difficult portfolios in the lead up to an election. It should be seen, and I think it is being seen, as a mark of great confidence.
GILBERT: All of the polls have shown a bounce, an immediate bounce. The question is how long will it remain. But, at this stage, does that vindicate the change to Rudd?
WONG: Well, look, Ill leave that for commentators. My focus is on working with Kevin Rudd and the Cabinet to ensure Labor contests this election with
GILBERT: Have you noticed a mood shift though? Are people more optimistic?
WONG: ... we contest this election with vigour and with passion. Because what we are fighting for are things that matter. What we are fighting for are values of fairness, of opportunity, and the recognition that we can do, in Government, good things for the Australian people.
GILBERT: Has there been a mood shift within Labor, though? Is there more optimism?
WONG: Well, I think certainly that people are more upbeat. Obviously it was a pretty testing and bruising week last week, but people have really said: Look, were drawing a line under that. Weve got a job to do. And its a job thats not about us. Its about the people we represent and the values we represent. Thats what this elections about.
GILBERT: Minister, appreciate your time.
WONG: Thank you very much.
ENDS