Michael Sukkar MP

Interview with Pete Stefanovic – Sky News Australia

SHADOW MINISTER FOR SOCIAL SERVICES, NDIS, HOUSING AND HOMELESSNESS AND MANAGER OF OPPOSITION BUSINESS

TRANSCRIPT

INTERVIEW WITH PETE STEFANOVIC – SKY NEWS AUSTRALIA

Thursday 30 January, 2025

TOPICS: Economy, Antisemitism

E&OE

Pete Stefanovic: There is now an almost certain possibility that the RBA will cut rates when it meets next month, although there is still a slight chance that our central bank will hold for a few more months of data. Joining us live now is the Shadow Housing Minister, Michael Sukkar. Michael, good to have you with us today. Thanks for your time. So what does yesterday’s figures and the possibility of one, maybe even two cuts hand an economic advantage to Labor?

Michael Sukkar: Well, I think what we want to see is an economic advantage being handed to Australians because they have been utterly smashed over the last two and a half years under Labor with 12 interest rate increases. We’ve seen most comparable nations around the world already have interest rates coming down and presumably we’d be in that same position with rates already having come down if we didn’t have a government that has so mismanaged the economy and particularly its spending, which has fuelled inflation. So. But in the end, Australian families have been utterly smashed. We are like everybody cheering for the best outcome. But I think looking at yesterday’s data, I think it’s far from conclusive to say that it’s straight forward as to what the Reserve does in February, particularly when you look at underlying inflation, some of the inflationary pressures that are still coming, including with the Australian dollar, presumably with a whole lot more spending coming from Labor governments, including the Albanese Government in the lead up to the election. So I wouldn’t want to claim mission accomplished – the sort of suggestion out of the Government that it’s mission accomplished I think is highly disingenuous and I think setting Australians up for a fall – So we’ll see what happens. But look, we shouldn’t be in this position, rates should already be on the way down like most other countries, and the reason they’re not is because of the mismanagement of Anthony Albanese and Jim Chalmers and the Labor Government.

Pete Stefanovic: How you feeling about an April election?

Michael Sukkar: Well, we’re ready for an election. We have been ready for an election any time. And elections are wonderful things because it gives the Australian people an opportunity to render a verdict on this atrocious government – the pain they’ve felt over the last three years and an opportunity of course to change the government. So we’re ready to go, whether it’s March, April or May we are prepared and as Peter Dutton has been doing, he’s been leading from the front and he’s been leading the agenda. He’s been offering principled and strong leadership – versus the dithering and weak leadership – It’s not even leadership – The weak and dithering response from Anthony Albanese on virtually every single issue.

Pete Stefanovic: It’s been a taught rope to walk for the government and in particular the Treasurer to keep us out of recession though, hasn’t it? And to keep inflation on its way down while keeping unemployment low. Is there not some marks that you’re giving them?

Michael Sukkar: No, because Australian households have been in recession. We’ve had seven consecutive quarters where Australians on a per capita basis have been in recession. We’ve got households who are behind by 10%. Australians for the first time, probably in your and my lifetime, Pete, will come to this election and will be poorer than they were at the last election. So for those households who are in recession, who have done it extraordinarily tough, they will take no comfort from the headline numbers. And let’s not forget the headline numbers have been impacted by an unprecedented level of additional immigration, well over a million new migrants in two years whilst we’re building no houses, while rents are up by 25%, it’s never been harder for Australians to buy a home. Fewer homes are being built, fewer homes are being approved. So for individuals, I can assure you they have felt the full force of the per capita recession that we’ve been in for a very long time.

Pete Stefanovic: Alright, Michael, elsewhere this morning, I just want to get your reaction to this shocking discovery north west of Sydney yesterday. Well, the discovery was made before yesterday – they just announced it yesterday. Police say it could have been a mass casualty event, a caravan found with explosives that was apparently bound for Jewish targets. What’s your reaction to that?

Michael Sukkar: Well, it’s sickening and appalling, to be honest, and raises immediate questions as to when the government knew. Do they know who is behind this? Where is the investigation at? Why didn’t the prime minister level with Australians at the time? What additional security is being put in place for Jewish Australians? This is yet another step – just when you think it couldn’t get any worse that the the dithering and weak leadership of this government and this Prime Minister could have worse consequences, something worse does happen. And this, I think is is a very dangerous portent for the future and we just hope that our security agencies are being given every resource they need to make sure that events like this can’t be taken to their ultimate conclusion. But, you know, in times of national crisis and I know the Prime Minister’s been dragged kicking and screaming and probably still hasn’t come to the realisation that this is a major national crisis. Why the government hasn’t levelled with Australians earlier means there’s a whole host of unresolved questions. And I just hope that the Government gets the kick up the backside they need today to come out and make very clear all those unresolved questions and provide assurance to Jewish Australians who are feeling very scared and nervous right now.

Pete Stefanovic: We’ll have to leave it there, Michael. Appreciate your time, though, as usual.

ENDS