GILBERT: The carbon tax will be introduced first thing on Wednesday, the repeal legislation. The Abbott Government will maintain pressure on Labor on this issue. Do you accept there will be some tough political times ahead for Labor on this issue, given your stance?
WONG: Well, I think the Governments approach to this issue can be demonstrated by the clip you just showed. I mean Australians do expect more from a Prime Minister than that kind of stunt, than that kind of election ad being filmed in the Prime Ministers office. They expect explanations.
Perhaps what was most interesting is what wasnt in the video, what wasnt in the clip. He didnt say, well, look, I know we said wed turn back the boats but were not really doing that. He didnt say I told you wed reduce debt but, actually, were blowing out the deficit and massively increasing the nations credit limit. He didnt say all of those things. It was just another stunt from Tony Abbott. Its about time he started behaving like a Prime Minister.
GILBERT: Well get to the issue of border protection in a moment. But he did say, day-in-day-out, this would be the first bill put to parliament. It will be. Hes been true to his word. On Wednesday morning the Carbon Tax Repeal Bill will be put to the parliament. Now isnt Labor simply creating uncertainty for business, delaying the repeal, when theres every likelihood that it will be repealed anyway come July?
WONG: Well Tony Abbott didnt have a mandate to set no limit on pollution at all. What he told Australians is that his direct action policy would reduce emissions. Now, what hes asking the parliament to do is to vote on that legislation essentially sight unseen. Because the Government still hasnt released details of their direct action policy which they say will reduce emissions. I mean it isnt anything more than a slogan and I think Australians deserve the parliament considering the legislation properly. And considering
GILBERT: But the direct action is going to be done not through legislation.
WONG: And that is precisely the point: that this is legislation which essentially says were going to remove any limit on pollution and were going to go to direct action, without the Government being upfront about what direct action includes. We think they should be upfront about that and we also think, consistent with what weve said before the election, we do need a limit on pollution in this country. Thats the position Labor has.
GILBERT: Getting back to that original question, though, do you accept there will be some tough political times for Labor given youve taken this stance in the face of what is a clear mandate to get rid of the carbon tax?
WONG: Well, as I said, I dont think he had a mandate for there to be no limit on pollution. And what were saying is were prepared to move to an emissions trading system, scheme, which puts a limit on pollution. What were not prepared to do is simply roll over because Tony Abbott wants the Labor party too. I dont think anyone who voted for Labor people expects us to do anything other than fight for the right policy, which is to put a limit on pollution.
GILBERT: On the international climate talks which continue this week in Warsaw, more indications that this Government is going to be in the mainstream of international negotiations. It will consider an agreement beyond 2015, but only if other major economies are on board. Isnt that a fair benchmark?
WONG: Kieran, how can you be in the mainstream when you dont turn up?
GILBERT: They are turning up, through the ambassador.
WONG: Well let me tell you, there is no international discussion where bureaucrats are able to resolve matters. Ultimately, you have to have elected people turning up, elected representatives. You cant be in the mainstream if youre sitting on the sidelines.
GILBERT: Is it fair enough to say that we will wait for other major economies to sign on before we do?
WONG: Well my observation is that many more economies are seeking to put a limit on pollution and are pricing carbon. But the point that you made is that the Government says they are part of the mainstream. Theyre not even turning up. Now if you think climate change is something that its in Australias national interest to act upon, surely youd want to be in the discussion to try and encourage other countries to do more.
GILBERT: Didnt Labor suffer for getting ahead of the rest of the world?
WONG: Look, my view about it, the Labor partys view, is that climate change is something that Australia has to act on. Now, were prepared to end the carbon tax and move to an emissions trading scheme, something John Howard supported in 2006.
GILBERT: On the issue of asylum seeker arrivals, Tony Abbott mentioned in his video statement there, on the eve of the opening of the parliament, that boat arrivals are down 90 per cent since mid-year, the peak under the Labor government. Thats the record, isnt it, so far?
WONG: Well lets remember a few things. The first is boat arrivals started to drop as a result of the former Labor governments arrangement with Papua New Guinea. Thats the reality. But I think the more important point is this
GILBERT: So theyve continued to increasingly under the Coalition.
WONG: The important point is this. We are in the absurd situation where the Australian people and the Australian media are getting their information about whats happening in relation to asylum seekers from the Jakarta Post. Thats who were getting information from. That is the extent that this Government is going too, to hide information. This is not the government that they said theyd be, and they are a government that is not telling Australians what theyre doing.
GILBERT: The Minister did make a statement yesterday clarifying the facts though, didnt he?
WONG: After the story had been broken by the Indonesian media. I mean, I assume youve watched or been to Mr Morrisons press conferences? I mean, they are an exercise in absurdity. We have a Minister who has been elected, who holds the office of Minister, who doesnt want to tell Australians whats happening. And we have to get information from the Indonesians.
GILBERT: Youre also the Shadow Investment Minister, Trade and Investment; I want to ask you about GrainCorp. The Opposition to this point have said you support it in principle, what are the doubts here that youve got around that proposal by Archer Daniels Midland.
WONG: Last Sunday I gave a speech where I made clear that foreign investment is good for the country, creates jobs. You always have to look to the national interest. But there is a lot of benefit to Australians in foreign investment. I also make the point that the Opposition on this is all over the place. I mean, weve had an extraordinary week in terms of the internal divisions in the Opposition. You have the Deputy Prime Minister
GILBERT: Divisions or debate?
WONG: Divisions. You have the Deputy Prime Minister
GILBERT: All governments have debates on matters like this.
WONG: No, you dont have a Deputy Prime Minister of the country pre-empting the Treasurers decision, which is what happened last Sunday. And you dont have a Minister, a National Party Minister, floating the possibility of resignation publicly, which is what Mr Joyce has done this week, if the treasurer doesnt do what he wants. I mean its a dummy spit before the event. Then there should be a national interest focus on this, but what we see is the Liberals and Nationals at war when it comes to this particular deal.
GILBERT: Opposition Senate leader, Penny Wong, thanks for your time.
WONG: Good to be with you, Kieran.
ENDS