MICHAEL ROWLAND:
Let's go straight to the Federal Treasurer Jim Chalmers who joins us now from Canberra. Treasurer, welcome back to News Breakfast.
JIM CHALMERS:
Thanks very much, Michael.
ROWLAND:
How do you assess Dr O'Donoghue's legacy?
CHALMERS:
I think these tributes really are a reflection of a life of grace, character and contribution. Genuinely one of the finest ever Australians who has left an enduring mark on the country, and you can see that in the way that these tributes have been pouring out since we learned of her loss.
ROWLAND:
A truly celebrated Indigenous leader, Treasurer. While we're talking revered First Nations Australians, there is a lot of pressure building on the Prime Minister to announce a First Nations Australian as Australia's next Governor‑General. David Hurley, the current Governor‑General's term expires this year.
Would you favour an Indigenous Australian being our next Governor‑General?
CHALMERS:
I appreciate the opportunity, Michael, but this is a decision for the Prime Minister to take in a methodical way involving all of the usual processes, and I don't really want to pre‑empt that. I know that there's a lot of interest in who our next Governor‑General will be, and obviously David Hurley's term does run out around the middle of the year. I know the Prime Minister will go about this in a very consultative and appropriate way, and I don't really want to front‑run that.
ROWLAND:
Okay. Let's talk about the week in politics. Of course, the legislation containing the changes to the stage three tax cuts was introduced mid‑week. As you well know, Treasurer, politics is all about the art of compromise. Are you willing to negotiate with either the Coalition or the Greens to get this Bill through the Senate, or is it simply take it or leave it?
CHALMERS:
We want to see the tax cuts that we announced in recent weeks legislated by the Parliament. The Coalition has the legislation, they have the details, they have no more excuses, and I say to the Coalition and I say to the Greens – don't stand in the way of a bigger tax cut for more workers to help with the cost of living.
This is tax relief and tax reform. It goes right up and down the income scale, it's a tax cut for every Australian taxpayer but with a bigger emphasis on middle Australia. So no more excuses, no more stumbling around and stuffing around; it's time for the Coalition in particular, but also the other crossbench members to come to a position. The detail is out there, the legislation is out there, there are no more excuses.
ROWLAND:
Would you welcome what's described as a short, sharp Senate Inquiry into the changes?
CHALMERS:
I think the impacts of these proposed changes are really well known, and we've put out the impacts on the different income levels. People know that there are cost‑of‑living pressures in our community. I think this is an important opportunity to do the right thing by people who are doing it tough. And I say this about the Coalition Party Room and the Coalition Shadow Ministry meeting today and tomorrow – whatever position that they cobble together on Labor's cost‑of‑living tax cuts, it has already shown how diabolically out of touch they are with middle Australia and the pressures that people are under, and we already know from Sussan Ley that their position is to unwind these tax cuts if they get the opportunity. So whatever position we hear from the Opposition today and tomorrow, it's already clear that they are out of touch, it's already clear that they want to unwind these changes. We're trying to do the right thing by people. We encourage the Parliament to support our efforts.
ROWLAND:
Treasurer, I want to finish the interview by stepping away from politics for a moment and talk about a story that has had a huge impact on me and I'm sure lots of people, particularly Queenslanders. I ask you as a Brisbane MP, in particular, about this story. We talk, of course, about the stabbing at that Ipswich shopping centre on Saturday of 70‑year‑old Vyleen White. Your electorate's not too far from where this happened. Your thoughts on this.
CHALMERS:
Devastating, absolutely devastating. To think of the life lost, but also the horrendous way that this happened. This was devastating news and we want people to be safe in communities, we want people to be safe in our shopping centres, we want people to be able to shop knowing that they can be safe and secure and so for all of these reasons, I found it, as you did, Michael, no doubt, just a horrendous story, very difficult to process.
ROWLAND:
That it is. Treasurer, really appreciate your time this morning, thank you.
CHALMERS:
Thanks, Michael.