Topics: Treasury Secretary’s comments, Ben Roberts-Smith’s arrest, Fuel Tsar salary, One Nation polls, Tony Abbott appointment

E&OE.......................    

‍

JAIMEE ROGERS: Well, the federal budget continues to dominate headlines with growing questions about spending, taxation, and the long-term impact on Australians already struggling. This week at Senate Estimates, more scrutiny was placed on how taxpayer money is being spent. Well, joining me now is Senator Dave Sharma. Dave, thank you for coming on tonight. You've been busy with Senate Estimates. I've been following along with interest of what you've uncovered. What Quite a few concerning things, I must say, but I just want to quickly start with the budget because it's just in the headlines. But predominantly, the Treasury Secretary Jenny Wilkinson had something interesting to say this week.

Let's take a quick listen.

‍

[CLIP STARTS]

‍

JENNY WILKINSON: Reforms on this scale have understandably generated considerable interest. In some instances, this may largely reflect the fact that individuals are sensitive about paying additional tax, which is totally understandable. But revenue needs to be raised from somewhere.

‍

[CLIP ENDS]

‍

JAIMEE ROGERS: So it was that comment that revenue needs to be raised from somewhere. She's certainly gone against the government's budget narrative. What did you make of the comments?

‍

DAVE SHARMA: Well, you're right, that's, that's the key line. The revenue has to be raised from somewhere. And that was— that's an inconvenient truth, if you like, from the secretary of Jim Chalmers' own department. She basically laid out and disclosed publicly the organizing principle of this budget, which is not to help young people into housing. It's not to improve generational equity. It's to raise more revenue. And every measure in the budget, whether it's abolishing the CGT discount, whether it's allowing bracket creep to continue to thrive, whether it's the abolition of negative gearing, whether it's the abolition of family trusts, they're all geared towards one end, which is basically to raise more revenue to feed in this voracious consumption machine, which is federal government spending under the Albanese-Chalmers government. And I think all Jenny Wilkinson did is say the quiet bit out loud.

‍

JAIMEE ROGERS: Hmm. I want to now look at the Senate estimates this week. And there were a few cases that you put out on social and one in particular, the very public arrest of Ben Roberts-Smith. And you asked how the media was tipped off. And I must say, Dave, this was one thing that I know a lot of our viewers went ballistic about. Social was going nuts about people, just the disrespect that was shown to Ben Roberts-Smith. But what was the response when you asked about how the media knew to be there when he was going to be escorted off the plane?

‍

DAVE SHARMA: Well, look, it took a while to get to this point, Jamie, and a lot of my colleagues had asked questions as well, but I think I just asked the question that was on everyone's lips and that was frustrating me, which is how did the media know about this? I mean, obviously they were there with cameras, gateside at the airport, at Sydney Airport, to film this arrest. And they had clearly been tipped off. And the answer I had from the Office of the Special Investigator— this is the unit within the government that is leading the war crimes investigations— was they didn't know either. And they thought there was a leak inside their organisation, and they had referred this matter to the National Anti-Corruption Commission. But reassuringly, I heard that they were as displeased as I was, because regardless of the trial that is to come, everyone is entitled to presumption of innocence. And this is our most decorated war veteran of the modern era. I think he's entitled to the presumption of innocence and the dignity and respect that comes with holding a Victoria Cross and every other thing he's done for this nation. And I think that's why I asked the question. I think that's why many Australians were as troubled as I was to see this media scrum when he was arrested.

‍

JAIMEE ROGERS: Yeah, there's certainly some answers need to come out of that. Another thing that was highlighted this week is when we look at the public service that Labor has grown now by 44,000 and increased the overall wage bill by $8 billion a year. You did uncover the salary of what the fuel czar has been paid. Now, she has been in the job— it was for the sort of first 3 months of the year. $230,000. I mean, it just seems really frustrating when you hear those sort of numbers because I want to know where her KPIs are to show that taxpayers got their money's worth.

‍

DAVE SHARMA: Look, absolutely right. So this is someone who's getting paid basically $1 million a year on an annual basis. The public service has grown, as you just said, by 44,000 under the Albanese government. The wages bill has grown by $8 billion. I would have thought a regular public servant could have been found whose salary we're already paying to do this role. Because when I ask questions about what exactly is this role doing, what are the KPIs, as you said, what has changed as a result of employing this person for $1 million a year, the answers I got were certainly less than satisfactory.

‍

JAIMEE ROGERS: Let's have a quick look at the Liberal Party before I let you go. First of all, Tony Abbott elected as president of the Liberal Party over the weekend. What did you make of the appointment?

‍

DAVE SHARMA: I think it's an excellent appointment. I think, Tony Abbott is a former prime minister. Obviously, he's one of, I think, three Liberal prime ministers now. And to win government from opposition in the postwar era, which is, means he has a lot to teach us about campaigning and the art of opposition. And he's widely respected across the party. So I think he'll deliver a lot of energy, a lot of impetus, and I think a lot of self-confidence, which bluntly speaking, we've been lacking over these past 6 to 12 months.

‍

JAIMEE ROGERS: And one other thing that came out in today's paper, Senator, is looking at One Nation's rise and the economic anxiety and institutional failure that's sort of reshaping politics for the Liberal Party. It was just interesting listening to outgoing Liberal federal director Andrew Hurst, and he said the party is struggling to connect with young people and women. But I just wonder, with the budget that's come out and putting issues like housing affordability and cost of living front and centre, is this an opportunity for the Liberals to start to re-engage with that younger voter and grow support amongst demographics where you've been losing ground?

‍

DAVE SHARMA: Absolutely it is. I think, Jamie, that the battle lines have been drawn for this next election, and Labor has laid out one vision of the sort of Australia they want to see, which is basically more people employed by the public service, growing redistribution, discouragement towards small business, the punishment of savings and investment and aspiration, everyone basically being brought down to a certain level. And the Liberal vision of society, which is people being encouraged to have a go, to be entrepreneurial, to start a business, to succeed, to employ more people and to help our economy grow. And I think this is a huge opportunity for us. I mean, me personally, and I'm sure this is true for many Liberal MPs, I have been contacted by so many young business owners, people in their 30s and 40s, women and men who are just appalled and aghast at what the government has announced and are looking for someone, politically speaking, who will stand up for them. And I think, the only party that can stand up against these tax changes, the only party that can credibly promise to roll them back, is the Liberal Party.

‍

JAIMEE ROGERS: Mm, we need to get out there and get that message because you saw today One Nation have risen in the polls. Senator Dave Sharma, thank you so much for your time tonight.

‍

[ENDS]