BRIAN MITCHELL:
Good morning, and welcome to Hobart on a beautiful autumn day. I’m Brian Mitchell, the Federal Member for Lyons. And I’m joined by Julie Collins, the Member for Franklin, Minister for Housing and Minister for Small Business. And look, what we’ve seen this week is a stark difference in approach, a very clear choice – a Labor government focused on the future, focused on more jobs, higher wages, bigger tax cuts, a Future Made in Australia, and an Opposition with no answers for anything. Just more fear, more smear. So what the federal Labor government is offering in this Budget is tax cuts for every Australian, and here in Tasmania, bigger tax cuts for 9 in 10 Tasmanians. That’s a huge difference to approach the cost of living. We know there are real cost‑of‑living pressures, and these tax cuts will make a real difference. In this Budget as well, a $300 energy bill relief package for every Australian household and $325 for eligible small businesses. This will make a real difference to people struggling with the cost of living. We know there’s more to do, and the Labor government’s focus is absolutely on making sure we can meet those cost‑of‑living pressures while keeping a downward focus on inflation.
And let’s counteract that with what the Liberal leader had to offer in his Budget reply speech, particularly for Tasmania. Peter Dutton’s speech was anti‑jobs and anti‑Tasmania. He declared war, effectively, on renewable energy. And we know that there are thousands of jobs at risk in Tasmania if Peter Dutton and the Liberals are elected and they continue with the anti‑renewable energy agenda. So we can’t, Tasmania can’t afford a Peter Dutton Liberal government. The way forward, of course, is for a Labor government. More jobs, more jobs, higher wages, bigger tax cuts, and a future made in Australia. I’ll hand over to Julie.
JULIE COLLINS:
Thanks, Brian. It is terrific to be back home in Hobart. And I was particularly pleased this week to have this Small Business Budget Statement. As Minister for Small Business, we know that small businesses are doing it tough here in Tassie and right across the country. What the energy bill relief means, as Brian has said, is that around one million small businesses around the country – including around 35,000 here in Tasmania – will be eligible for the $325 off their energy bills in the coming year. We also had the instant asset write off to assist small businesses with their cash flow. That is for businesses with a turnover of less than $10 million. And it’s an instant asset write off each asset up to $20,000, and small businesses can write off multiple assets with that. We also importantly have extended really important services for financial counselling and wellbeing for small businesses, given that we know so many small businesses are doing it tough. This will provide support to those small businesses that need it when they need it. So we’ve extended that. Altogether more than $640 million dollars in specific targeted support for small businesses.
But we know that small businesses, the biggest issue for them, obviously is putting downward pressure on inflation, which is what our Budget is designed to do. That’s why our cost‑of‑living support for households and for small businesses, particularly for small businesses, is targeted so as not to put pressure on inflation. We want to make sure that small businesses in this country thrive. And in the Small Business Statement, you can see that we are working with small businesses to support small businesses because it is the Labor Party that is the party of small businesses. Happy to take any questions.
JOURNALIST:
So with the energy bill rebate for the household, so that’s $300. I just [inaudible] over the weekend, and they said that they’re looking for a little bit more of a targeted approach, because for some people $300 is a lot and for some people, it’s not. So do you have a response to that?
COLLINS:
Well, obviously we are also providing targeted relief, particularly for low‑income households who are renting with our Commonwealth Rent Assistance. The first back‑to‑back increase in Commonwealth Rent Assistance in more than 30 years. That’s a 10 per cent increase on top of last year’s 15 per cent increase. So that is targeted at those households that need it. We also of course last year had targeted support for energy bill relief. This year we know that it is also working households who are under pressure. So households, other households also need the support, which is why we’re doing it for every household, and we found that that is that the best way to ensure that Australians get the cost‑of‑living relief that they need.
JOURNALIST:
And so obviously, in a time where cost of living is going through the roof, this will actually provide some help to households and small businesses in particular?
COLLINS:
Yeah, this is about providing households and small businesses with targeted cost‑of‑living relief in a way that doesn’t add to inflation. We need to still put downward pressure on inflation, but we also need to prepare for the growth of the future, which is what our Future Made in Australia in the Budget is all about. We want to make sure that we have Australians trained for the jobs of the future, and that those jobs are here and that Australia gets an opportunity to have those high wage, high technology jobs as we move through to a clean energy economy right across the globe.
JOURNALIST:
You spoke about inflation. There was a warning by the state government here that we need to brace for pain ahead and that this Budget was going to be inflationary. What do you say to that?
COLLINS:
What I would say is is that we need to get the balance right about downward pressure on inflation, but making sure that we are ready for the jobs of the future. And that’s what our federal Budget does. You know, you look at the projections in the Budget in terms of inflation. When we came to office, inflation had a 6 in front of it, and now has a 3 in front of it from our last 2 budgets. We want to put downward pressure on inflation, but make sure that we’re ready for the jobs in the future.
JOURNALIST:
I might have one for you, if that’s ok. State government also came out and said that they were a little bit hard done by the lack of funds in the Budget to go to infrastructure. I know that the Lyell Highway, the Mornington Roundabout and things like that have grants from the Budget, but they said there’s not enough. Do you believe that?
MITCHELL:
I think it’s fair to say the Tasmanian Government will never be happy with no matter how much money they received from the federal government. We’re putting $290 million into infrastructure across the state in this Budget. $80 million for the Lyell Highway. That’s an 80 per cent portion from the federal government to the Lyell Highway, which is a state government road. So that’s $80 million for that, and the Mornington Roundabout in Julie’s electorate, another $50 million there. And we’ve also got commitments up in the North West, as well, and other commitments around the state. Just last week, I was announcing money across the state – money for schools, schools in Tasmania, which are state government responsibilities. But it’s the federal government stepping in for school upgrades, to make sure that the kids get the best opportunity that they can and that’s the federal government stepping into the state government space. So we’ll welcome working cooperatively with the state government, but the fact is the Tasmanian Liberal government is always complaining. It’s time to stop complaining about the federal government and get on with doing its own job.
JOURNALIST:
So do you have any expectations when it comes to September and they released the state budget?
MITCHELL:
We’ll look forward to seeing what’s in the state budget in September, of course, and I hope that they look after Tasmanians.
JOURNALIST:
Ok, just on that $80 million. They’re saying that’s coming out of the Bass Highway project. Is that true?
MITCHELL:
We’ve got $290 million of money for Tasmania, and $80 million is earmarked for Lyell Highway. So, I think you need to take whatever the state government says with a pinch of salt. Look, can I just briefly mention the South East Irrigation Scheme that’s been a point of conjecture and it’s important to raise. I’m the local Member for Lyons and I believe very much in the South East Irrigation Scheme. It’s a terrific scheme. That business case has been put forward to the federal government, and it was considered as part of the Budget. I’m advised that it wasn’t quite ready for approval at this stage. It hasn’t gone through all the state government processes. There’s been state government promises for the money, but it hasn’t gone through their final documentation stage. But my understanding is that we’ll certainly be ready for further consideration in the next federal update, which will be the next MYEFO. That’s my understanding.
JOURNALIST:
So we can expect some funding?
MITCHELL:
I would be very surprised if federal government did not come to the party with the South East Irrigation Scheme. It is a, it is a terrific scheme. Very important for the South East, hundreds of farmers. I’ve seen the business case, I think it stacks up and that’s currently being considered. I’ve heard no other, no advice that it’s going to be rejected. It’s simply being delayed for paperwork.
JOURNALIST:
And so it wasn’t ready in time?
MITCHELL:
The advice I’ve received is that the state government processes weren’t complete enough to consider it in this round.
COLLINS:
Other questions for me?
JOURNALIST:
I’ve done a couple stories this week on vulnerable Tasmanians and then struggling to find adequate and safe housing. I believe 8 out of 10 women and children are being turned away when they’re, you know, looking at women’s shelters and things like that. Is there something more that the federal government should be doing to address those concerns?
COLLINS:
Well, we obviously have our Homes for Australia plan, which is $32 billion in new initiatives for homes right across the country. We want to build more homes. We’ve had a shortage of homes in Australia for too long. We need to build more homes and we need to build more homes right across the country. That includes here in Tasmania. We, of course, struck at National Cabinet just over a week ago an agreement with the state government for 5 years’ worth of funding for homelessness services and for housing. This is on top of the funds we have already provided the Tasmanian state government, additional funds for housing as part of the $6 billion of new initiatives in the federal Budget. It includes $1 billion dollars for accommodation for emergency and transitional accommodation for women and children fleeing family violence, and for young people. So that billion dollars is specifically earmarked for the types of accommodation that you’re talking about. This is on top of the $100 million that’s coming out of the Housing Australia Future Fund, also to provide emergency and transitional accommodation. It’s on top of the 4000 homes of the 30,000 homes in the first 5 years of the Housing Australia Future Fund – our $10 billion fund, the single biggest investment in social and affordable housing in more than a decade. So we’re working right across the board to provide more homes – more homes to rent, more homes to buy and more homes for Australians that are a safe place to stay.
JOURNALIST:
But that’s – what, that’s national. But here, the rate’s 6 times more than the national average. So is there anything targeted to Tasmania in particular?
COLLINS:
So Tasmania will get its proportion of the billion dollars earmarked for services in Tasmania, on top of the $50 million we have already given the state government for more social housing in Tasmania. On top of the billion dollars for infrastructure and new social housing, of which Tasmania will get its proportion. So, we’re talking seriously from the federal government in the 2 years since we’ve come to office now more than $100 million in additional commitments for Tasmania for housing. The state government needs to get on and build the homes.
JOURNALIST:
And last week, we saw the Hobart City Council reject plans for housing development on Argyle Street. I’ve heard people calling for some federal government input and for you guys to step in and do something about that rejection. Is that looking on the cards?
COLLINS:
Well, obviously I was very disturbed by the rejection. This project does have considerable amount of funds from the federal government, some of the funding we have provided to the state government – I think it’s around $13 million, from memory. So it is significant investment from the federal government. I understand that the proponents are looking at their next move, and I hope that it is reconsidered and that Tasmania gets this critical accommodation that it needs. It was for women over the age of 55, something we do need a lot more of here in Tasmania, so I hope that it goes ahead.
JOURNALIST:
I have a couple from Canberra, if that’s okay. What is your reaction to Dutton’s plan to cut migration by 25 per cent and cap international student numbers to free up more homes?
COLLINS:
What I’d say is is we’ve got the usual negativity from Peter Dutton on Thursday night, with not one new dollar to build one new home. We know we’ve got a shortage of homes, and we need to build homes and we have had for a long time. Not one new dollar for one new home. What I’d say is is that there’s no detail about how Peter Dutton intends to do what he says. And the other thing, of course, is that we need homes to rent, homes to buy, right across the country. There was not one new dollar for one new home.
JOURNALIST:
Is that just him blaming migrants again? Is that his default position?
COLLINS:
Well, he can’t even explain how this is going to work. You know, typical Peter Dutton – all negativity, all about the grab, no detail. We’re getting on with the job of building homes for Australians. Our plan is $32 billion in new initiatives since we’ve come to office, including more than $6 billion in the Budget on Tuesday night. Peter Dutton needs to explain how he’s going to do what he said. But we’re going to get on with the job of building more homes.
JOURNALIST:
And what’s your take on his plans to simplify the definition of a casual worker, winding back their rights to seek permanency after 6 months?
COLLINS:
What I’d say is is 2.7 million casual workers around the country know that Peter Dutton is coming for them and their job security. That’s what’s going on here. Peter Dutton is saying the 2.7 million casual workers in Australia don’t deserve the security that they have because of the changes that we made. They’re mostly young people and women in these casual positions.
JOURNALIST:
What do you make of business and employer groups seizing on the energy bill and rent assistance relief in the Budget to try to limit the Fair Work Commission decision on a raise in the minimum wage?
COLLINS:
Look, the Fair Work Commission will make its decision around the minimum wage, as it usually does. As a position, our government has said we don’t want to see particularly the lowest paid workers wages go backwards. We want to say the lowest paid workers in Australia get a pay rise as they have in the past. We know that the work that they’re doing is often critical frontline work, and they deserve a decent wage.
JOURNALIST:
And what is the federal government doing to help those stuck in New Caledonia?
COLLINS:
We’re obviously monitoring this situation incredibly carefully. What we want to see is a de‑escalation of what is happening. I understand the Department of Foreign Affairs has put up contact numbers for people in Australia who are concerned about relatives or family or friends in Noumea, and indeed has a number for those outside of Australia to contact the departments. I’d encourage people to contact the department on those numbers.
JOURNALIST:
There’s a NRL star’s father who’s been arrested on drug charges and is facing extradition to Indonesia, where he’ll possibly face the death penalty. Is there something the federal government should be doing to help him at the moment?
COLLINS:
Look, I don’t want to comment on any individual circumstances other than to say we’re obviously aware of that. And we’ll be going about our business in the usual way through the department, and I’m sure that the Minister for Foreign Affairs will have something to say when it’s appropriate.
JOURNALIST:
And I do know that there is just one more on the housing. There is one sleep out going ahead, I believe next week, at the pier for those sleeping rough. Do you have any grabs on that or whether, you know, you think a good idea to do something like that to raise awareness for those doing it tough at the moment?
COLLINS:
Look, we know far too many Tasmanians and far too many Australians are finding it difficult to get a safe place to sleep, which is why we’re investing so much in terms of our Homes for Australia plan. $32 billion in new money. We know that this is a very difficult situation. We’ve had too few homes for a long time. We haven’t built enough homes for a long time. We need to get on and build more homes. We need all tiers of government working together, with industry, with the sector, with community service providers, so that we’re all heading in the same direction to get the homes built. Great, thank you.
MITCHELL:
One last one from me. If Peter Dutton was serious about housing in Australia, he would not have tried to block the Housing Australia Future Fund – a $10 billion fund to get more houses built in Australia. Peter Dutton, the Liberals – the Greens at first, the Greens came on board later on – they tried to block the single biggest investment in housing in more than a decade in this country. It’s a bit rich for Peter Dutton to come out now saying he claims he cares about housing when he single handedly with his Liberals tried to block a $10 billion housing fund.