Senator the Hon Michaelia Cash
Shadow Attorney-General
Shadow Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations
Deputy Leader of the Opposition in the Senate
TRANSCRIPT
Sky News Sunday Agenda with Andrew Clennell
30 June 2024
TOPICS: Cost of living, inflation, productivity, NDIA, Fatima Payman, Julian Assange, nuclear power
E&OE
Andrew Clennell
Joining me live now is Shadow Attorney-General, Michaelia Cash. Thanks for your time. Let’s start with the government’s cost of living relief package out this week. Is that enough? Are they doing the right thing or is it inflation?
Senator Cash
Well, I have to say I just watched your interview with Jim Chalmers and I think the one thing that Jim doesn’t realise is that back in the real world when Australians wake up today, they will be doing it tough as a result of the policies of this government. I mean, just last weekend, you look at the headlines across Australia. It’s not inflation. It is Jimflation. What does that mean? Well, as the RBA has actually said the reason you have inflation rising in this country – it is now persistent – is because it is home grown. So you know, for Jim, I don’t know what planet he’s living on but back in the real world, any Australian who wakes up this morning and goes out to do some shopping is going to be hit by the harsh reality that food has gone up under this government now in excess of 11%. When you look at rates, housing, electricity, I mean, Jim just sat there and said, what Albanese and him continue to say: “we feel Australians’ pain”. Well, that is as good as it gets under this government and the cost of living relief that they are about to provide – talk to the real Australians. It does nothing to touch the sides of the pain they are feeling because of Jimflation, not inflation, Jimflation in this country.
Andrew Clennell
You’ve got that line up. I guess that’s what you were looking to achieve. Just for clarity on this because there’s been some confusion on what the opposition is going to do. Will you be going to the election with the proposal for bigger tax cuts at the top end?
Senator Cash
Well what we’ve said – and both Angus Tyler and Peter Dutton outlined this in budget in reply speeches – is that we will put back in place the fiscal guard rails that the current government have just thrown out the window, we will ensure that real spending does not increase faster than the economy. But what we will also look at is a back-to-basics economic agenda, Andrew, and what does that mean? It means you can’t tackle inflation without productivity increasing. This government – look at what business groups, the employers of this country, have said about in particular the IR policies of this country, they do nothing to increase productivity. You have, you know, the most recent productivity figures in this country where we saw productivity only grew by 0.1%. You have had a collapse in living standards in Australia. This government can say what it likes about feeling Australians’ pain. When you look at the underlying reasons that Australia is in the mess that it is in it is because of the policies that this government have put in place. But in particular, the fact that they do not address increasing productivity and without increasing productivity, you cannot address rising inflation.
Andrew Clennell
Well, the question was will you have bigger tax cuts?
Senator Cash
Tax cuts are in our DNA, Andrew, and all will be revealed prior to the election. But what Angus Taylor and Peter Dutton have made very, very clear is a back-to-basics economic agenda, which includes addressing flatlining productivity in this country. But also putting in place those fiscal guard rails, which Labor governments throw out the window. Fiscal responsibility, it comes out of their mouth, but you don’t see it in the actual reality of their policies and ensuring that real spending doesn’t increase faster than growth. A back-to-basics economic agenda.
Andrew Clennell
So how are you going to increase productivity? I assume you’re going to unwind a bunch of their IR reforms?
Senator Cash
Well, just look at what business groups have said in relation to what Tony Burke and Anthony Albanese have done. I mean, they have literally centralised employment in Australia. The people making decisions in relation to how you run your business now are the unions and the Fair Work Commission. I mean, how does that help employers and employees to make decisions that actually ensure that the business is able to prosper, grow and create more jobs for Australians? It just doesn’t. So what we have said is that very much we will look at getting rid of the additional cost, the complexity, but more than that Andrew, I don’t know the last time you looked at the Fair Work Act, the complexity that is literally putting a stranglehold and a chilling effect across employers in our great country.
Andrew Clennell
Earlier this year it was reported you wrote to the New South Wales Liberal state director praising its IR proposals endorsed by the New South Wales Liberal state council. They included replacing the better off overall test for the no disadvantage test. Awards no longer applying to workers earning more than $99,612 a year. Changing unfair dismissal provisions. Is that what you’re looking at to the Coalition’s policy?
Senator Cash
Oh a scare campaign by the Australian Labor Party. You have got to be kidding me. We have made it very clear and I made very clear in that letter. I will be unashamedly focused on reducing cost, complexity and confusion in the industrial relations system. I will be unashamedly going into bat for small businesses in this country who you are seeing on a daily basis are having to close their doors. I will unashamedly go into bat to ensure that employers are able to work with their employees so that they can make decisions that benefit both the employer and the employee. What I won’t be doing Andrew is checking off a union agenda and handing over control of this country’s great employers to the Fair Work Commission and the unions as Mr. Albanese and Mr. Burke have done.
Andrew Clennell
Would you seek to re-establish the ABCC?
Senator Cash
Oh, that is already a commitment by Peter Dutton. But you’ve got to ask why? Because the first thing this government did when it came into office was actually abolish the tough cop on the beat. And recently you saw all of this played out with the comments by Mr. Setka in relation to Steve McBurney and his position at the AFL. I think what worried Australians more than anything, was A) we know that Mr. Setka runs the building industry in this country, but B), Mr. Albanese was unable to stand up to Mr. Setka. And I have to say I think it was Alston got it right in one of his cartoons in relation to you know, one of the Chinese officials getting off a plane holding up a picture of Mr. Setka being greeted by Mr. Albanese and say, I’m looking for the person who runs this country. You have a weak Prime Minister, beholden to the unions, who was prepared to put our entire construction industry at risk. Why? Because the CFMEU, the most powerful union in this country, donates millions of dollars to the Australian Labor Party. $4.3 million in the lead up to the last election. And that’s who they take their instructions from. So will we, Andrew, stand up for the construction industry? Will we stand up for the 1000s and 1000s of Australians that wake up every single day and build this great country. And will we ensure that taxpayers are not paying more for their hospitals, their schools and their road by restoring the top to cop on the beat? You’re damn right.
Andrew Clennell
All right. Well, the government’s made a big deal about wage rises they’ve achieved in government. Tony Burke, your opposite number trumpeted it on Friday, half a million workers covered by enterprise agreements and awards had received $10,000 pay increases. Do you support those wage increases?
Senator Cash
Oh, look, we have always said that we support sustainable wage increases and at this point in time, with Australians feeling the pain that they are feeling, more and more Australians, it’s reflected in the labour market figures – are now having to take on an additional job Andrew so that they can pay their bills. Of course we support sustainable wage increases. However, at the most recent estimates, the RBA confirmed that under the last two years of a Labor Government, you have effectively seen wages or real wages going backwards. Andrew, there has been a complete collapse of living standards in this country. As I said the one thing that you need to ensure sustainable wage increases going forward is an increase in productivity. You are not seeing that. Under this government what you are seeing is a decline in productivity.
Andrew Clennell
Do you think we’ll see a rate hike in August?
Senator Cash
Oh, look, I think look at what all the credible economists are now saying. If I was a mortgage holder in this country, who was already drowning under rate crisis because of the policies that have been put in place by the Albanese government – that the RBA then had to step in to actually counter. Can I tell you, I would be very, very worried.
Andrew Clennell
The opposition has spoken a lot about budget restraint. You have again today – yet Bill Shorten, has come forward with this proposal to at least make a start on reining in the NDIS and the opposition voted last week to kick it off to a Senate inquiry. The government says they will cost the budget $1 billion – why have you delayed this?
Senator Cash
Well, the first instance what I’d say is this: We have always said from day one going into opposition we will work in a bipartisan manner with the government to achieve sustainability within the NDIS. The 660,000 Australians who rely on it deserve it. Why didn’t Bill Shorten bring this legislation forward sooner? He’s had two years. Secondly, why did we put this to a committee with the Australian Greens? Because the sector asked us to Andrew. You would have thought the government – Bill Shorten – would have consulted with the sector in relation to this legislation, the people who are going to be impacted by it. They are the ones saying they have significant questions in relation to what Bill Shorten has put forward. They are the ones saying that what he is putting forward is not going to address both the integrity and the sustainability. So quite frankly, it is a short inquiry. It reports back in August, and we look forward to working with the sector to make this legislation better to ensure the integrity and the sustainability of this system. And this government talks big about consultation. Bill Shorten didn’t properly consult with the sector. And then as a result, we’re going to do that for him.
Andrew Clennell
What do you make of the government’s handling of the Julian Assange matter?
Senator Cash
I’ll tell you the irony of the day that the inflation figures come out. Inflation goes above what market expectations were – around 3.5 to 3.8. It comes in with a four. You would have thought the press conference the Prime Minister called was to tell Australians what he was going to do two ease inflation. Instead what does he do? He stands up he does a press conference and lauds as one of his government’s great achievements, bringing Julian Assange home, and he then makes a telephone call to him. Seriously this Government’s priorities are all wrong. Mr. Assange is not a hero. He is not a whistleblower. He is not a journalist. He is someone who has pleaded guilty to espionage. He is someone who risked national security by releasing secret national security information. So I have to say it is a real reflection on our Prime Minister that he lauds as one of the great achievements of his government bringing home someone who pleaded guilty to espionage.
Andrew Clennell
Do you support the negotiation of his release?
Senator Cash
Well, again, we have always said this was a matter for the US legal system. Mr. Assange has pleaded guilty to espionage. Mr. Assange made certain decisions along the way which prolonged the outcome, but for Mr. Albanese to say, this is one of the great achievements of the Albanese government – “We got it done” – I think speaks volumes about how this government’s priorities are all wrong.
Andrew Clennell
Just a couple of other matters – nearly out of time. On Fatima Payman crossing the four. What’s your view of this and what the Greens are doing there? And bear in mind of course, that Liberal MPs cross the floor all the time without penalty.
Senator Cash
A fundamental difference between the Australian Labor Party and the Coalition is the fact that we are very proud of the fact that we allow our backbenchers a conscience vote. That is part of our DNA. You’re allowed to think for yourself and have a conscience. It is not the same in the Australian Labor Party. Forget what I think – let’s have a look at what former Labor Senator and Labor luminary Graham Richardson said in relation to this. He said Mr. Albanese was weak and he made the wrong decision. Look at the Sunday Times in Western Australia today. And the Joe Spagnolo article. Senator Payman has gone on the record saying she looks forward to continuing to exercise her conscience. Look at what Labor people are saying behind closed doors. They are absolutely furious whether you’re from the left or the right. They know the rules you play by when you sign up to the Australian Labor Party. I mean, but all it shows you again is this: Mr Albanese is a weak leader. He was stood over by John Setka and what did Mr. Setka say to him – stay out of it. Mr. Albanese did. He is now being stood over by Senator Payman. And what does he do – a smack on the wrist. It just says to me what Graham Richardson said “wrong decision”. And that’s you’re former Labor Senator Graham Richardson. Mr. Albanese is a weak leader.
Andrew Clennell
Just briefly on nuclear. You’re from the right of the Liberal Party. How does it sit with you that there’d be seven federal government owned nuclear power plants under your policy?
Senator Cash
This is all part of our plan to ensure that Australians have consistent cheaper power. Under the Albanese government, you’re about to get a $300 rebate and you know what that says? It says that the plan that the Albanese government has in place is causing Australians to pay more for their energy. I am part of the side of government that understands Australians need reliable power that is cheap and is low emissions. Our plan is coal, gas, renewables, to gas, renewables, nuclear. That’s how you ensure consistency reliability, cheap power and zero emissions.
Andrew Clennell
Just finally, could your stance on the production tax credits and made in Australia policy hurt your prospects in WA?
Senator Cash
Oh, can I tell you when I sit down with Western Australians, in particular in the mining and resources industry, they tell you the only thing hurting them at the moment is the Albanese government’s policies and in particular, the stranglehold of red and green tape. You’ve got to get the fundamentals right. There is no point in saying you’ll do something here, if you actually can’t get the projects off the ground in the first place. And we have been very upfront we believe in the mining sector. We believe in the resources sector, I’m Western Australian, it is in my DNA, and I will do everything I can to get the fundamentals right, the policy fundamentals right to get rid of red tape, to get rid of green tape, to enable people to look at Australia as an attractive destination for investment. Because I can tell you, Andrew, they’re not doing that at the moment under Mr. Albanese. He’s no friend of Western Australia.
Andrew Clennell
Michaelia Cash. Thanks so much for your time this morning.
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