DAVE HUGHES:
Good morning, Josh Frydenberg.
JOSH FRYDENBERG:
Good morning Hughesy. Good morning Ed, good morning Erin. Nice to be with you.
ERIN MOLAN:
Hey Treasurer.
DAVE HUGHES:
Good morning, Josh. Treasurer.
JOSH FRYDENBERG:
Top of the morning to you.
ED KAVALEE:
Top of the morning to you. Okay now, so he gets in. He’s all uppity. I’ve just gotten a DM from the Treasurer. Right. We’re like, oh really? What are you and Josh chatting about? Oh nah, he’s just sent me a video of him on the Today Show.
DAVE HUGHES:
Josh, I put that on my Twitter and, I think people ‑ not everyone is on my Twitter and not everyone watches The Today Show – both great ways to get your entertainment and information – but Josh, for people who haven’t heard or seen that, what are you saying at the moment to the people of Australia?
JOSH FRYDENBERG:
The main message is obviously, we’re there to support you through these very difficult times, and we’re doing that on both the economic and the health front. But my message was also that we need to learn to live with COVID. It’s not going away. It’s a fallacy to think that it can be eliminated. And of course, in the future, there will be people who get sick, there will be people who, unfortunately and tragically, die. There will be more cases. But what our focus must be as a country, and it’s really pleasing to see now people doing it, is getting vaccinated. Because vaccination is our ticket out of the crisis. We have a plan. The plan was set out at National Cabinet. It was based on Doherty Institute modelling and it was about restrictions easing at 70 and 80 per cent vaccination rate. And when we do so, the modelling suggests that lockdowns become unlikely, and that’s where we can start to live with the virus. Obviously, in a COVID‑safe way, but we can make those lockdowns a thing of the past.
ERIN MOLAN:
Treasurer, give us some light at the end of the tunnel; I know you can’t be too specific and things change all the time. When do you think we can get some element of freedom back? When are we on target to reach those rates that will ease things a little bit?
JOSH FRYDENBERG:
I think we’re moving very quickly, even quicker than has been anticipated. As you know, more supply is coming on board, and people in NSW and the ACT and Tasmania have been ahead of the pack in terms of the other states. But across the country, we’re seeing more than in one in two eligible Australians who have now had at least their first jab. And that number is rising dramatically. So, it’s very pleasing to know that people are getting vaccinated, not just to protect themselves and their family, but also to ensure the community can have these restrictions eased. That was my main message; that we must learn to live with COVID. Lockdowns are very blunt instruments. They’re very painful, obviously, for people’s mental health and wellbeing, but they’re also a massive hit to the economy. We saw that in the most recent unemployment numbers. So it’s about getting the balance right, but sticking to the plan as set out by the medical experts.
DAVE HUGHES:
But be open for summer. We’re going to be open for summer.
ED KAVALEE:
We need the vaccination passports, Treasurer. I’m double vaxxed. Friends of mine who live overseas in places like the UK who have had a lot more cases, I mean, there is nothing for people who have already had the vaccine. You know what I mean [inaudible] let’s get the local vaccination passports brewing. I’ve had my vax, what do I get? Nothing.
JOSH FRYDENBERG:
That’s not right, Ed. You’ve made exactly the right point which is when people get vaccinated, they want to see something in return. That is what governments are working towards, and that is what the plan sets out. You get those easing of restrictions. And you’ve heard in NSW that the Premier is working through potential options in that regard. I think that’s why people are getting the jab, because they want something in return. Obviously, our focus is to make these lockdowns a thing of the past.
ERIN MOLAN:
Treasurer, if you need someone else to message and you want your confidentiality respected, you can message me.
JOSH FRYDENBERG:
Ha, thanks, Erin. Much appreciated.
ERIN MOLAN:
You’re welcome.
ED KAVALEE:
Why is it always a competition? Unbelievable.
ERIN MOLAN:
To be honest, I just don’t know why he’s confiding in Hughesy when I’m such a better option on so many levels.
JOSH FRYDENBERG:
It’s because I’ve enjoyed his stand up, Erin.
DAVE HUGHES:
Exactly.
ERIN MOLAN:
You haven’t watched a game of footy, Treasurer, ever? You don’t enjoy my work?
JOSH FRYDENBERG:
I’m a regular down at the Lorne Pub.
ED KAVALEE:
Josh Frydenberg, thanks for your time.