12 May 2015

Interview with Mark Riley, Channel 7

MARK RILEY:

The Treasurer Joe Hockey joins us now. Mr Hockey thanks for joining us. 

TREASURER:

Great to be with you.

MARK RILEY:

Have you achieved what the Prime Minister set out to achieve? Is this a dull Budget?

TREASURER:

This is a Budget that is focused on giving every Australian the chance to have a go. We have laid the foundations as part of our economic plan. We’ve got a good credible trajectory back to surplus, the economy is growing faster over time, but importantly we’re giving two million small businesses the chance to go out there and invest, and immediately write off up to $20,000 for any single item they buy so that they can invest in new jobs.

MARK RILEY:

$5 billion in the package for small business – you’re placing a big bet on small business really driving the economy over the next few years.

TREASURER:

It is going to be the big - small business is going to be the biggest driver of economic growth. From our perspective, they’re the big potential employers, they’re the big potential exporters, they’re the big potential innovators. They’re a great story. They’ve carried us a long way so far. Australia’s small businesses are going to step up to the plate. 

MARK RILEY:

I notice growth prediction is 3.5 per cent over a number of years. Is that a bit… [inaudible]

TREASURER:

No because we think the rest of the world is going to improve. We are seeing good signs in the United States, in Japan, in Europe. China is not going to fall as much as people think. I think we are going to get there. We’ve got massive demand for our resources out of India and the rest of Asia.

MARK RILEY:

So the Budget emergency is over?

TREASURER:

We have come through a long way. There’s still more work to be done. But we’ve come a long way. The good news is now we can start investing in the future.

MARK RILEY:

Is this the sort of Budget you’d be happy to take to an election?

TREASURER:

I’m happy to take every Budget to an election because from my perspective every Budget has to be what’s best for the Australian people.

MARK RILEY:

[Inaudible]

TREASURER:

I’m always prepared to do what is right for the nation and I’m always prepared to fight for what is right for the nation.

MARK RILEY:

Joe Hockey, thank you.

TREASURER:

Thanks mate.