WONG: It was good to debate Joe Hockey today, but yet again, Joe Hockey has failed the test. Yet again he hasn’t told Australians what he’s going to cut to fund his $70 billion black-hole. What is he going to take out of health and education? What is he going to take out of defence? He hasn’t told Australians that again, despite talking a lot about surpluses, and despite talking a lot about fiscal responsibility. So, yet again, Joe Hockey’s failed the test.
And this comes on the day when we finally learn even more of what went on during the election campaign with the Coalition’s dodgy costings. A day when the accounting firm that Joe Hockey said had audited his election costings has been found to have breached professional standards.
Remember, this was the accounting firm that he said meant he didn’t have to go to Treasury and Finance. He didn’t have to get his costings properly audited. The costings that were found to have billions of dollars of a black-hole in them.
I also notice today that Mr Abbott’s given a speech, he’s given a speech where he’s talked about deregulation. I’m pleased that the Coalition are looking at deregulation again, because in Government they didn’t. In Government they had 10 years of lost opportunity to do something about regulation. Since they’ve been in Opposition, they’ve certainly talked a lot about it. We’ve gone on and done things. We have 27 reform areas that we’re working on through the seamless national economy. About half of them have been delivered. Important things that recognise Australian firms work in different states. And we’ll continue to do the work.
But I think what’s important about the announcement is this: there’s a new bloke in town, his name is Arthur Sinodinos, and Joe Hockey and Andrew Robb had better watch out. Happy to take questions.
JOURNALIST: On a day when we’re talking about fiscal responsibility and budget cutbacks, the headlines of the papers are full of talk about politicians’ pay rises. Senator, where do you stand on this issue?
WONG: I understand Mr Gray, the relevant Minister, has or is about to, stand up and have a discussion about this. So I’ll refer you to what he’s said.
JOURNALIST: He has, and he’s said a couple of things, but he hasn’t gone too far. Do you agree with a $90,000 pay increase for the Prime Minister, a $70,000 pay increase for you?
WONG: I would say that I would refer you to Mr Gray’s comments. He is the responsible Minister. This legislation, as you know, went through the Parliament, and was supported by both parties.
JOURNALIST: So you agree with it, though? You’ll take the money if it comes? It’s a matter of your pay, not Mr Gray’s pay.
WONG: My view is as I’ve outlined previously. But I think today what I would say is, I’ll defer to the Minister, who’s responded on behalf of the Government to the stories.
JOURNALIST: With National Conference next weekend, sorry, this coming weekend, there’s talk that there’ll be enough numbers to change the platform with regard to gay marriage. Is it enough to change the platform if we’re not changing the law?
WONG: On National Conference, there’s a lot written and a lot said. And if it’s the sort of National Conference we anticipate there’ll be a lot more written and a lot more said. But I think I will leave my comments to another day. I think I’ve made my position clear.
JOURNALIST: Do you think momentum is growing, especially given the developments in Queensland, with civil partnerships?
WONG: I will have more to say in the context of National Conference, and I’ve certainly made my position clear, but I don’t have anything to add.
JOURNALIST: Also, in terms of Western Australia, the West Australian Government is claiming that the Federal Government’s reneging on a commitment to native title compensation. Can you clarify that?
WONG: I don’t have any advice on that I’m afraid.
JOURNALIST: You mentioned earlier, during the debate, the dodgy accountants. What’s that reflecting on the position (inaudible)?
WONG: I think what this shows is that the Coalition has no credibility when it comes to the economy or costings. Joe Hockey, since he’s been shadow treasurer, has yet to get his costings right. He didn’t get them right in the election campaign, he hasn’t got them right since. He said he’s going to have to find $70 billion worth of cuts, but he won’t tell Australians what he’s going to cut. And what we know is that he used a dodgy process in the last election, and now he’s been found out. What Joe Hockey has to do is to say to Australians, yes I will be upfront with you, I will provide proper costings, that have gone through either Treasury and Finance or the Parliamentary Budget Office. That’s how he can restore his credibility.
JOURNALIST: Senator, I know you’ve given me a comment on this already, and you’ve referred me to Mr Gray, but one last chance, a cheeky chance if I can. Can I spin it this way: what about the timing of this issue coming up now? And the fact that we’ve had, just two days ago, the budget cutbacks, we’ve got a looming international recession. Do you think the timing of politician pay rises is a little bit unfortunate at least?
WONG: The tribunal is independent, and I think Mr Gray has spoken at length about that.
ENDS
