SUBJECTS: Resource Super Profits Tax, Stronger and Fairer superannuation reforms.
MARIUS BENSON:
Chris Bowen, by all reports, they had calming words for caucus yesterday on the Resource Super Profits Tax. But Martin Ferguson, the Resources Minister, couldn't point to any actual progress with the big miners, so there's no evidence it's really getting anywhere.
CHRIS BOWEN:
Well, look, it was a good caucus meeting and the mood was good. In terms of the reports from the Prime Minister and the Minister, they gave an update. That update was various meaningful consultations going on with a wide range of players in the minerals sector, and that those negotiations and discussions are constructive and going well. And of course, both the Prime Minister and the Minister, as well as the Treasurer, made it clear that there was some more discussion to go.
BENSON:
Meaningful and constructive are often words that mean 'we're getting nowhere'.
BOWEN:
Look, I don't think that's an accurate description, Marius. I think that there is a wide range of views across the sector and the Government is exploring those views with the sector.
BENSON:
But Martin Ferguson was able to point to specific movements in terms of dealing with, say, the coal seam gas industry but not with the miners; the big miners you're getting nowhere.
BOWEN:
Well, I don't think that's an accurate description, Marius, but those discussions, as I say, are ongoing. They are constructive and the majority of mining companies are engaging in that constructive discussion with the Government.
BENSON: Now, you say it was a good caucus meeting yesterday, but there were clearly from the reports some tensions, particularly between Gary Gray, who is a very significant player in the Labor hierarchy over many years, our Western Australian member, being critical of Lindsay Tanner in particular of failing to understand the anger in the west over the profits tax.
BOWEN:
Well, that certainly didn't happen in the caucus meeting that I could see. That certainly didn't happen in relation to any of the commentary in the caucus meeting. I've read those reports this morning. I'm not aware of private discussions between Lindsay Tanner and Gary Gray, but certainly in the caucus meeting that commentary is just simply inaccurate.
BENSON:
So The Australian reporting this morning that Gary Gray aggressively attacked Lindsay Tanner?
BOWEN:
Well, not that I saw, not that I heard.
BENSON:
There has been criticism of the centralisation of decision making in the Government, reportedly changed in recent weeks. Has there been a change in the way decisions have been made in recent weeks in the Government?
BOWEN:
Marius, I've seen the speculation. Can I say as a Cabinet Minister I think that much of that speculation is misplaced. I've been very comfortable with the level of consultation with the Cabinet for as long as I've been in the Cabinet. The Prime Minister is a very consultative Prime Minister. He listens to the views of Cabinet members. We spend a lot of time talking about issues at Cabinet and I've seen him take on board the views of Cabinet members on a range of issues. So I think a lot of that commentary is misplaced, quite frankly.
BENSON:
What would you say to people who would say, 'Well, he would say that publicly, but in fact the overwhelming reporting and the overwhelming evidence is that Kevin Rudd's is, even by recent standards, a centralised Government, the most centralised'.
BOWEN:
Well, I can only call it as I see it, Marius, and that is simply not the case. Kevin Rudd has confidence in his members of the Cabinet. He certainly takes our views into account. He's certainly very consultative. He's regularly in contact. He's regularly listening to us at Cabinet meetings and I think the process works very well.
BENSON:
Okay, a final question in your capacity as Superannuation Minister. The superannuation reportedly, after two years of returning very poor returns, happy days are here again at 10 per cent return in prospect, according to the Financial Review.
BOWEN:
I'd always make the point that superannuation is long term investment and that it will go up and down in line with the market, but I'm very pleased that superannuation returns have been quite positive.
And, of course, the superannuation industry has been very clear that they are optimistic and confident about the future, that they think returns will continue to be positive and they think that the Government's economic reform agenda, which increases superannuation from nine to 12 per cent, provides a rebate for low income earners and a catch-up opportunity for people over 50, is all a very positive thing for the future retirement incomes of Australians.
BENSON:
Chris Bowen, thank you very much.
BOWEN:
Always nice to talk to you, Marius.