Wednesday, 17 June 2026

Transcript - Interview on Sky News, First Edition

Topics: G7 Summit, Labor's homegrown inflation crisis, RBA interest rates decision, Labor's sham inquiry, Barnaby Joyce, One Nation, Pauline Hanson.

E&OE....

Alex Thomas: Now let's speak to Shadow Treasurer Tim Wilson, who's joined us live on the show now. Hello to you, Tim. We've been reporting all morning about what's happening at the G7 summit. Economically, how crucial is it that we're seeing progress towards peace in the Middle East?

Tim Wilson: Well, it's obviously substantially important for global peace and stability and to have some pathway for economic growth. But we need to be mindful and cautious about where things are, and it doesn't address a lot of our homegrown problems. Yesterday, the Reserve Bank outlined that Australia's inflation challenge is still homegrown through high underlying and headline inflation. And until we get government spending under control here, Australian households aren't going to get any relief in lower interest rates.

Alex Thomas: Yeah, and what did you make of that rate decision? Clearly, it's the first time this year that we've not seen them start to go up, but there are still warnings that that will happen. What needs to change?

Tim Wilson: What needs to change is the government needs to stop pouring debt petrol on the inflation fire. We have a government that has an active inflation agenda which is forcing the hand of the Reserve Bank, which means that they can't lower interest rates for Australian households. In practice, that means when Australians go to the supermarket, they get less in their trolley or their red basket, and they're paying higher interest rates on their mortgage. So, Australians are struggling to get ahead. We need economic leadership, and it's not the leadership being delivered by the Albanese government.

Alex Thomas: There continues to be calls for exemptions to Labor's CGT changes, even from within the PM's own party. What do you think that tells us about the policy?

Tim Wilson: Well, we know that this is a junk policy from the outset. It was built on a house of broken promises at the last election. The government said 50 times over they wouldn't introduce it. So there's no way they can create carve-outs to make it acceptable because it's built on a basis of lies. Now, of course, we're seeing the full consequences of the policy, and there was another report today in The Australian Financial Review by Phil Coorey where another tax they promised they wouldn't take to the Australian people, they're still three years on trying to figure out how to implement it. This government simply doesn't know what it's doing.

Alex Thomas: And there are reports this morning that Barnaby Joyce is going to take the treasury brief for One Nation. Looking forward to going head-to-head with him?

Tim Wilson: Oh, there's many times I've gone head-to-head public and private with Barnaby before, and nothing's going to change now. The much bigger question to me is, this is a man who has been consistently disloyal—disloyal to his party, disloyal to his community, disloyal to his own leader. So, the question is, is he actually going to be loyal to Australia? We need people who are going to stand up and defend Australia's interests and the national interest. And when his record of disloyalty follows him everywhere he goes, it raises serious questions about that.

Alex Thomas: Nonetheless, the latest Sky Pulse poll shows that One Nation is still leading, although its popularity has dipped slightly. But crucially, voters saying they would trust the minor party to govern, it's not just a protest vote against the Coalition, against the Labor government. How concerning is that for you?

Tim Wilson: Well, I think it's concerning for Australia. You've got a Labor government led by Anthony Albanese that has led a series of broken promises and deceived the Australian community. He's dividing the Australian community. And now you've got the equal and opposite reaction of the Anthony Albanese of the far-right through One Nation. And I think they're going to divide the Australian community. That's why it's so important to elect a Coalition government that brings the nation together, defines economic leadership, and most importantly, seeks to project a vision for Australia which is built on hope and opportunity for every Australian—of one land, one people, with one destiny.

Alex Thomas: Will you be tuning in when Pauline Hanson gives her maiden address to the National Press Club later?

Tim Wilson: Well, I have other commitments at that time, but I've no doubt there'll be plenty of it copied on this channel and other channels. But, you know, we’ll all be looking with keen interest. As I said, the Anthony Albanese of the far-right is one option that's being put forward to the Australian people. We need an Australia where hard work pays off, where Australians feel in control of their lives, and they feel a basic sense of respect. That comes by defeating the Albanese government and electing a Coalition government.

Alex Thomas: Okay, Shadow Treasurer Tim Wilson, appreciate your time this morning. Thank you.

[ENDS]