Television interview - Patricia Karvelas, ABC Afternoon Briefing

PATRICIA KARVELAS, HOST: I want to bring in my political panel for today. Patrick Gorman is the Assistant Minister for Employment. Garth Hamilton is the Shadow Assistant Minister for Energy Security. Welcome to both of you.

PATRICK GORMAN, ASSISTANT MINISTER TO THE PRIME MINISTER: Thank you.

GARTH HAMILTON, LIBERAL MEMBER FOR GROOM: Thank you, PK.

KARVELAS: Is this a bad war now?

HAMILTON: Now? Goodness me, tell me a good war. Look I've raised my concerns previously, we've seen consistent war in the Middle East since September 11. It's very difficult to see one of these turning out. You know, regime change works where there's peace and stability that follow. I've raised my concerns about this one, I think we’ve, we weren't consulted. It's having a huge impact on our energy security here in Australia. It may be working in the interests of our American allies right now in the short term. It's not working for us. But obviously, I'll say that the thing that's important to say, this Iranian regime is a terrible regime.

KARVELAS: There's no doubt it's a terrible regime, but this is terrible for Australians, isn't it?

GORMAN: Australians are feeling the costs of this conflict in the Middle East every day. And some are feeling it in a really personal way, where they have family in the region, some are feeling it when they go and fill up their cars. That is the reality of conflict, is that it isn't just in the zone in which -

KARVELAS: No, but the government has been slow to criticise the Trump Administration. Only today did the Prime Minister even raise questions about this, going a step further, but still not rebuking the consequences, even though it's hurting Australians and Australians are angry about it. 

GORMAN: I think Australians are feeling the impacts of what is happening in the Middle East, and that is flowing through our economy. That is what we've been talking about in this building for a number of weeks now. I can't step away from any of that. When it comes to the decisions that the United States and Israel have made, we recognise that we're not a party to those decisions, we are not decision makers on that conflict. Our job is to be decision makers here in Australia.

KARVELAS: No [inaudible] but as an ally, we can use whatever power that gives us to make a point, right?

GORMAN: Of course, but what we've chosen to do, which is the right approach, is to say, well, we're not a party to that conflict. We've taken some action to assist our friends in the region and then , on what is in Australia's control. And that is what we can do to help Australian families, Australian businesses. That's what we've been focused on.

KARVELAS: Garth, should the government be more outspoken about this, as an ally? 

HAMILTON: I think good allies do speak quite openly between themselves. At this point, I don't know what the exit strategy is here. I'm sure there is one, I'm sure that's there. We've not been brought into those conversations, but it's impacting us incredibly, and I think we need to be making that point. And I think it was right that my friend Andrew Hastie to raise that point, previously. We have supported the U.S., we'll continue to support the U.S., we’re their ally, we're their good friend. But this is hurting us. This is playing out across household budgets around Australia right now, and I think we should be raising this. 

KARVELAS: Just want to move to some other issues, because you mentioned him, Andrew Hastie raised questions essentially questioning neoliberalism and the policies that have come with it, he’s open to big reforms, from gas to perhaps taxes on housing. Do you agree with him?

HAMILTON: On many things, I do, absolutely. I think it's important that we do take that approach. Our job is to use our, our values to address the problems of the day, and those problems have changed.

KARVELAS: And do you think neoliberalism, and standing on the last kind of defence for it is not working?

HAMILTON: It was a, it was a strong line of his that I really think cut through for a lot of people. And it points out to us that there is no horizon that sets and stops. We keep moving, we've got to keep addressing the challenges for today. I mean, you know, there, there are kids today looking to buy a house. You know, it's incredible challenges, so different to the world that we grew up in not that long ago. These changes must be addressed with policies. You know, I believe from both sides of politics should be putting their proposals forward and we should be renewing them. 

KARVELAS: Does that mean that this is what we're going to see in the budget? Is there appetite to actually do it, because there's different views that perhaps the crisis has made the government more timid? Can you tell us how the government’s feeling about it?

GORMAN: Firstly, I'd point out to your viewers, obviously neoliberalism is not the agenda of this government. It has been the agenda of previous conservative governments in Australia.

KARVELAS: Look, I think that's arguable.

GORMAN: Yeah but - 

KARVELAS: But that’s for a university lecturer. 

GORMAN: Sure.

KARVELAS: You have got policies that I think have been in that arena. I think a lot of people would think that you have. 

GORMAN: I think if you looked at our housing policy, which is significant investment in housing to build more homes for Australians, it would be very hard to make that argument, even in an undergraduate university essay. I don't think you can make that argument. When it comes to what we’re trying to do, it is to deal with the challenges that are right in front of us. That is exactly what has happened at National Cabinet today. We are dealing with the here and now, and that’s about trying to make sure we support Australians, cost of living and supporting household budgets has always been our focus, and we recognise that that's exactly where our focus needs to stay. 

KARVELAS: Just finally, the fuel exercise has been cut. Yes, the Coalition put that forward last week. The government's doing it. It's for three months. Three months, petrol could still be very expensive. Do you think that it's, it’s something that we could keep in the system for longer? 

HAMILTON: Well, look, I welcome it, I'm not gonna be childish. We did put it forward. Congratulate the government on picking it up. The truth is, we are gonna have to keep our eye on this for a long time yet. You're right. This is going to finish anytime soon. All I'd say is, maybe next time we make a proposal, the government be a bit more open to it early on. But I'm very happy that they’ve picked it up.

KARVELAS: And three months? I mean, it’s going to be pretty hard to, to take, as the government's language is, an off ramp on cutting petrol, right?

GORMAN: What we want is, of course, a de-escalation in the conflict that is causing all of this. That is what I think households and businesses across Australia want. We have been really careful to make sure that we're listening as we go through this - what is a crisis, not just for those in the Middle East, but it's causing a range of other economic pressures here at home. But we will keep listening. I think one of the lessons this government has learned is not to rule things out, is not to say never ever, because we recognise that we are in very uncertain times. We will keep listening to business. We will keep listening to families. We will keep listening to households. We will keep listening to your viewers, of course, PK, and we'll continue to do that. But three months gives quite a lot of certainty for people right now. 

KARVELAS: Well, I hope that by three months, we're in a different situation, but none of us know and that's the truth. Thank you to both of you.

GORMAN: Thank you. 

HAMILTON: Thank you.

ENDS