REPORTER:
Treasurer, Joe Hockey is with us to talk Budget fall-out. Now Joe, I presume you were politically active at uni; did you ever protest?
TREASURER:
Well, yes I did. And I'm sure you have got the tapes somewhere.
REPORTER:
What did you protest about?
TREASURER:
At the time that was the first introduction of university fees, and at that time there was no HECS or Helpers as it's now known, so we obviously were concerned about the fact that we were paying fees up front, which no student has to do now.
REPORTER:
So, Joe, you protested against fee changes at university. Can you understand now, why students are so upset about the changes you're proposing?
TREASURER:
Well, I understand why they're upset, but there are no choices here. University fees are overwhelmingly subsidised by taxpayers and now the evidence is clear, that a university student is going to earn on average a million dollars more during their course of their career than someone who doesn't go to university. And this allows us to offer the concessional loans that go to university students, to TAFE students and also to apprentices undertaking apprenticeships.
REPORTER:
So Joe buddy, are you prepared to accept that you have probably attended your last O week?
TREASURER:
I've got a lot of fond memories and lot of forgotten memories from O week. So, I'm happy to see them out. I must say, there were memories that came back with some of the student protests that I saw on TV today, but you know what, in your 20s, you're always prepared to complain, but in your 40s, you have to explain.
REPORTER:
Joe, are you worried though, you're going to be renowned and known as the Treasurer that tripled the cost of universities?
TREASURER:
No, no because ultimately we will fall further behind unless we give our institutions the opportunity to compete with what is, a massive emergence of new competition out of Asia and right around the world.
REPORTER:
Are you concerned about consumer confidence dropping because that's going to be one way certainly not to stimulate the economy?
TREASURER:
Well, yes and it is a short-term issue, but the long-term benefits of this Budget are huge. In education for example, we're building the biggest Commonwealth Scholarship Scheme that has ever, ever been put in place, so that helps to improve access to tertiary education.
REPORTER:
Joe, we have got some questions from our viewers that they wanted to ask you. Firstly from Twitter: how do you expect unemployed people to pay rent, buy food and to get interviews without Newstart?
TREASURER:
Well, they certainly get assistance with interviews out of Newstart and they will qualify for youth allowance as well, instead of Newstart if they're under the age of 25. There'll be a range of other services and potentially even Rent Assistance in certain circumstances as well.
REPORTER:
Joe, a clip of your boss has been doing the rounds on the internet today. Let's have a look:
I'm on an adult sex line to make ends meet.
Joe, you're aware there's a camera on you, there's been no winking from you during this interview but what do you think of Tony's performance there?
TREASURER:
I'll back my Leader and appropriately so. I wasn't in the studio and didn't see what happened, but the fact is, from what I heard, he appropriately responded to the concerns of this a lady, and what I'm focused on, is making sure that people in her sort of situation have better income and better jobs.
REPORTER:
What would you rather be at the moment, the Treasurer of Australia or the organiser of the World Cup in Brazil that starts in three weeks?
TREASURER:
I think Treasurer of Australia because the challenge is not as great as organising the World Cup.
REPORTER:
You might be right, you might be right.
REPORTER:
Thanks, Joe, we do appreciate your time.
TREASURER:
Thanks so much.