Thursday, 19 February 2026

Transcript – Interview with Ben Fordham, 2GB

E&OE

Topics: economy, Australia Day, income tax

Ben Fordham: Tim Wilson, the new Shadow Treasurer, is on the line right now. Tim, congratulations.

Tim Wilson MP: Thanks, Ben. Glad to be with you.

Ben Fordham: How's Angus going so far?

Tim Wilson MP: I think he's going great because there's a square focus on who we need to represent to lead Australia to a better future. There are so many Australians right now who are living in a sense of despair at the state of the economy, and we are here to offer hope because if more than anything, we can encourage Australians to back themselves will unleash the ingenuity of this country.

Ben Fordham: You want the federal government to stop introducing new taxes, you'd love them to lower existing income tax but Jim Chalmers doesn't seem to be a fan of you, he's accused you of being the most extreme Shadow Treasurer he's ever come up against.

Tim Wilson MP: Yes, I am extreme in my support for small and family business and my support for the self-employed. If I am happy to own a title where I am going to back in Australians to be able to back themselves and where hard work pays off. He's extreme in the other direction with new taxes, higher inflation. He's in a form of denial about the wreckage he's causing while small and family businesses and self-employed are screaming for help. His response is simply to throw personal barbs.

Ben Fordham: Tim we've just broken the news here about Jim Chalmers being the subject of a death threat and the Australian Federal Police laying charges against a 55 year old man from Western Sydney who is making threatening phone calls to Jim Chalmers' office including death threats. I know that you would be joining in me in condemning that behaviour and also sending your thoughts and respects to the Treasurer because it would be a difficult time for him and his wife and children.

Tim Wilson MP: 100% and I'm sorry I've just learned that but absolutely there's no place for any threats or violence in our system. We resolve things through words, not through that sort of action and I wish him and his family all the best in difficult circumstances.

Ben Fordham: You've floated an idea recently about resolving the Australia Day debate once and for all. Tell me about it.

Tim Wilson MP: Well, in response to questions about how we build a more united and cohesive future, I talked about how perhaps we need to have a conversation about that. But that's not in my portfolio now and I'll leave that to the responsible Shadow Minister. I think what would bring this country together more than anything is a sense of unity and purpose, not just a national story, not just around Australia Day, but one where Australians feel like if they put in effort, they get a reward, where hard work pays off, because at the moment, the alignment of interest in Australia just don't feel like they're for Australians to get ahead. The government's floating new taxes on housing, making it harder to own your own home or increasing the price of rent. We need the incentives aligned for Australians to get ahead.

Ben Fordham: We acknowledge that this was a conversation you had before you got this new job and you're not speaking about Australia Day as the Shadow Treasurer but I just think it's an interesting idea because I've got to tell you Tim, I'm sick and our listeners are sick of having this debate every year so it would be great if it could be settled once and for all.

Tim Wilson MP: Well, I think most people want that sense of settlement and I put forward the proposal of a vote simply because it reveals information every year. We have a chunk of the country that goes in one direction, a chunk of the county that goes into the other direction. I'm not a majoritarian in just wanting to impose democratic outcomes like that. But it's pretty clear to me from public opinion polling that sentiment has shifted. And we need to move on. We need to have an honest conversation about who we are as a nation. How we want to bring people together but we also need to have an honest conversation about the economy and how we're going to build out the growth and opportunity for Australia and particularly for the next generation of Australians who we want make sure continue to live with hope about the future they can build for themselves and their families.

Ben Fordham: We can have a vote right now on the open line 131 873. What do you think about the idea to settle the Australia Day debate once and for all with a public vote. And before I let you go, what are we going to do about income tax? Is there some relief that could be offered if you guys got into government?

Tim Wilson MP: Well, I can't give any commitments today. We have to think about policy a bit more detail. But, you know, you just need to look at the contrast. Jim Chalmers' answer to the gap between income tax and capital gains is to increase capital gains tax, mine is to lower income taxes. I see there being absolute clarity about the need to incentivise work to encourage the next generation of Australians to apply themselves and get ahead and whether it's being an employee or going off and setting up a small business, a side hustle or of course becoming self-employed. I want an Australia that works and where people apply their energy and effort to themselves, but also to the strength
of the whole country.

Ben Fordham: You've got energy and you've got ideas. I look forward to talking to you regularly throughout the year and congratulations again.

Tim Wilson MP: Thanks, Ben