Topics: Andrew Hastie; One Nation; Secret Harbour by-election; Childcare
E&OE……………………………………
Ash Gillon: Returning to Canberra now, joining me live is the Shadow Minister for Choice in Childcare and Early Learning, Matt O’Sullivan. Senator, appreciate your time, thank you. I’ll get to your portfolio issues shortly, but first as a fellow West Australian who’s close to Andrew Hastie, what do you make of the war of words that’s erupted between him and Pauline Hanson this week?
Senator Matt O’Sullivan: Well, Andrew Hastie is one of my great mates here. We’re flat mates in Canberra, I’ve known Andrew for a long time. He’s a man of incredible integrity and I’m so proud to call him one of my great mates. And to see the attack that has been on Andrew over a considerable period of time, I’m not just concerned about it because he’s my mate. I’m concerned also because of the impact that it’s had upon his family, and I’m also importantly concerned about the impact that it’s had on other veterans. In particular, those twenty other decorated soldiers that were also subpoenaed, just like Andrew, that followed the rule of law, that responded in the courts, and gave testimony. They are, by the accusation that was made by that cartoon, by implication also, called traitors, and I think that it’s terrific to see that Andrew has found his voice and spoken up here because it’s right to call it out. Pauline Hanson and One Nation need to either own the comments that are attributed in that cartoon or they need to take it down. It’s as simple as that.
Ash Gillon: Do you welcome Jacqui Lambie’s intervention today? She didn’t pull any punches in her critique of Pauline Hanson.
Senator Matt O’Sullivan: She never does, and thank you Jacqui. I think what you did there… you spoke the truth. You spoke for veterans. I’m not a veteran. Jacqui is, Andrew Hastie is, and I know, I’m hearing from veterans, they are concerned by the attack that this is having, and the impact that this is having on veterans and I think it’s terrific that Jacqui stood up and spoke out as well.
Ash Gillon: What about ramifications at the ballot box after One Nation’s win in Secret Harbour? And now with Hastie clearly a target in that seat of Canning, which does encompass the state seat of Secret Harbour in Western Australia… how nervous is Hastie feeling? What’s your analysis of how nervous he should be about the next election?
Senator Matt O’Sullivan: I’ll let Andrew speak for himself. He’s a man, as we know, he’s a real fighter and he’ll be fighting for every vote in that election, and I’m looking forward to supporting him at the next election. Hopefully we can put this behind us. I mean, really, I call on Pauline Hanson, call on One Nation to either own it or put it down so that we can actually get on with the real fight, that is against Labor, to ensure that we can get rid of this terrible government that is just driving up cost of living, that is affecting people’s standard of living and who don’t really have a policy platform that is delivering for Australians. And so, I think that’s what we’ve got to really get focused on and I’m looking forward to doing that.
Ash Gillon: Why do you think we’ve seen such momentum for One Nation?
Senator Matt O’Sullivan: Well, I think Australians are… the instincts of Australians are always right. They are unhappy with politics as usual. They are certainly unhappy with this government and what they’re looking for is an alternative. Now, that’s our job as the Coalition, to put forward that credible plan and demonstrate that we are the consistent ones. We are the ones that can actually deliver those important things that Australians need, and that’s what we’ve got to focus on. That’s what Angus Taylor is focused on. That’s why we are absolutely focused on fixing the economy and ensuring that Australians’ standard of living, their way of life is preserved. Because what we’re seeing under this government… and that’s been eroded every day. We need to be strong, we need to be consistent and we’ve got to show the competency that I know we’ve got.
Ash Gillon: Okay, on your portfolio on universal childcare. It’s no secret of course that would be a very expensive exercise and a new report puts that cost at an additional nearly $7 billion a year. A big argument behind this is that disadvantaged children, in particular, would likely benefit greatly but would that money be well spent in your view?
Senator Matt O’Sullivan: Well, as the CIS… and I commend them for the work that they’ve done here. It shows that actually a lot of that money goes towards the higher income earners, the upper 40% of income earners are the ones that will receive the most benefit. And what universal childcare doesn’t deliver is the flexibility and the choice that I know families are really looking for. It’s just continuing with the one-size-fits-all system. If that one-size-fits-all system works for you, then fantastic. That’s great. That’s part of the choice. But for many families, that’s not the choice that they’re looking for. They’re needing flexibility. They’re needing choice. They’re needing a system that supports them and their families. No one, other than parents, knows what’s best for their own children. Unfortunately, under the government’s universal plan… and let’s not forget, is the Prime Minister’s legacy project that he says he wants to leave… well, we know that that’s not delivering for Australians. It’s not delivering what Australians actually need and Australian families know what’s best, not Anthony Albanese.
Ash Gillon: So what’s your alternative though? I know that the Coalition’s run a few different ideas up the flag pole around subsidising nannies, subsidising grandparents, what are you seriously considering? How long until we have to wait until you can present a firm policy alternative?
Senator Matt O’Sullivan: Well, in due course we will come out with definitive plans. What we’re doing at the moment is canvassing those, I’ve been running forums right around the country in electorates right across Australia hearing directly from families about the design of the system so that it can better suit their needs. And what I’m hearing very loudly is that the current system is not working. So there are ways that we can deliver it – whether it’s through direct payment to families, whether it’s through modifying the tax system to provide more of your own money into your own hands to enable it. There’s taxability, there’s income splitting, there’s a whole range of suggestions that keep coming to us. We’re looking at all of those. I’ve got work that the PBO are currently doing, looking at a whole range of models so that we’ve got everything on the table, so that we can make the right decision that we can present to Australians well ahead of the election.
Ash Gillon: Well, we look forward to seeing that. Senator Matt O’Sullivan, really appreciate you joining us live there in Canberra. Thank you.
Senator Matt O’Sullivan: My pleasure, Ash.