Doorstop - House of Representatives, Parliament House

Doorstop - House of Representatives, Parliament House

Transcript

Tuesday, 18 August

Topics: housing; NAB rent increase warning; tobacco excise; gambling.

E&OE……………………..

Tim Wilson: It's a devastating day for Australia's renters as the National Australia Bank has said that rents could increase by up to a third under the Albanese Government. Let's be very clear about this: rent increases are by design of the Albanese Government to feed their new taxes. The problem Australians are facing right now is massive cost-of-living pressure. We have an active inflation agenda from the Albanese Government, and it's leading to higher rents by design in their budget so they can get more tax revenue. Australians cannot afford a 30 per cent increase in rents because of the Albanese Government's active inflation agenda. Australians struggling to get ahead, to save for a home deposit while they're renting, can't afford a 30 per cent increase in rents while the price of a first home increases, too. The Albanese Government has all of its priorities wrong, and its priorities are how it increases its tax take, not how it helps young Australians pay the rent, save, and get ahead.

Journalist: Can we get your thoughts this morning as well on One Nation's proposal to cut the tobacco excise by 75 per cent to stamp out the black market trade? Do you think that's a way going about achieving that?

Tim Wilson: We'll review this policy when so far all we've heard is news reports. But, what we know is that every time the government increases taxes, it increases the pressure on Australian households. We know that the government is addicted to spending, so their only solution is to continue to tax Australians and to undermine their financial security and their cost of living at a time when so many Australians feel vulnerable and are on the margins.

Journalist: A number of your Coalition colleagues this morning have said the gambling legislation hasn't gone far enough. Do you agree?

Tim Wilson: We'll wait and see what comes through the final package negotiated between the parties, but, we're the party of freedom and we're the party of choice. We believe in people's freedom and security, and also empowering them to go on and take control of their lives and to be able to control the challenges faced by addiction gambling, which is a serious harm that needs to be addressed. We need measures that empower people to take control of their own lives and empower Australians to decide their own destiny.

Journalist: Just touching back on your last answer, are you in principle in favour of lowering excises on tobacco?

Tim Wilson: In principle, we want to cut out the black market and the organised crime that the Albanese Government has let fester. What we know is, through pride, the Albanese Government is ruling out any measure that would stomp down on organised crime, which is literally handing over the trade to criminals that's then going on to do things like finance terrorism and hurt the Australian community. It's time the Albanese Government got past its pride, acknowledged, just like in their budget, that adding more taxes doesn't always deliver, or definitely doesn't deliver, better outcomes for the Australian people. I'm going to have to go, I'm sorry. Thank you very much.

[ENDS]