SENATOR THE HON KATY GALLAGHER
MINISTER FINANCE
MINISTER FOR WOMEN
MINISTER FOR THE PUBLIC SERVICE
MINISTER FOR GOVERNMENT SERVICES
E&OE TRANSCRIPT
TELEVISION INTERVIEW
ABC NEWS BREAKFAST
TUESDAY, 29 APRIL 2025
SUBJECTS: Election; Costings; Credit Rating; Welcome to Country.
BRIDGET BRENNAN, HOST: Well, Anthony Albanese and Peter Dutton are continuing a multi seat and multimedia blitz as the campaign enters the home stretch. Finance Minister Katy Gallagher joins us now from Canberra. Good morning to you, Katy.
KATY GALLAGHER, MINISTER FOR FINANCE, WOMEN, THE PUBLIC SERVICE AND GOVERNMENT SERVICES: Good morning, Bridget. Thanks for having me on.
BRENNAN: How is it looking on the prepolls? What are the defining issues that voters are telling you are going to be swinging their votes this election?
GALLAGHER: Well, the prepolls are very busy. I think as you've been tracking this week, lots of people voting early, as we've seen in previous elections. And I don't think it's any surprise. I think it's cost-of-living is the main focus and certainly in the discussions I've been having. And wouldn't be surprised, here in Canberra, concerns about Peter Dutton and cuts and nuclear, basically, they seem to be the three issues that keep continuously being raised.
BRENNAN: Sentiment in Canada suggests that Donald Trump is going to be a key factor in that election also being run this week. Do you think we can look to that election for a prediction of what might happen on Saturday here?
GALLAGHER: I don't think so, necessarily. I mean obviously, different countries, different issues. I think the contest here, and people are pretty switched onto it, is between Anthony Albanese and Peter Dutton. And I think there's certainly a feeling around the need for stability in these uncertain times. If you were to look at international events, I think that's probably an issue and the need to hold the course and continue to build on the work the government has done in the last three years. I think when it comes to the Trump influence or the American influence, I think certainly in policies where we've seen particularly from the Opposition, the Americanisation of say Medicare or working from home, those types of things, they've definitely been a factor in this campaign.
BRENNAN: The national rate of bulk billing, if I can turn to health now, I mean, this is a key issue where you are for Canberrans. Of course, the national rate is, sits at about 77 per cent nationally looking at figures, 52 per cent in the ACT. Why is it so low in the ACT and have you got a commitment to lift it to that 77 per cent rate or higher?
GALLAGHER: Yeah, look, Canberra's always been a little bit unique. It's a small city, essentially. We've got low numbers of GPs and where we have GPs, they're often working in other roles. So, there's been a particular challenge around the numbers of GPs. And then also we haven't necessarily had some of the bigger providers that have provided those big bulk billing operations. But yes, we've put a commitment, in addition to the tripling of the bulk billing rate and the payments for fully bulk billing clinics that are operating across the country as part of Labor's commitments, we have put in an additional investment into the ACT if we are fortunate enough to win, which would essentially incentivise some of those bigger providers coming to Canberra with more GPs to help lift that bulk billing rate, because it's a major issue here.
BRENNAN: S&P says how the new elected government will fund all of the different campaign pledges we hear will be crucial to keeping our AAA rating. Do voters know enough about how you'll be funding your significant pledges going into this election?
GALLAGHER: Well, we released our costings yesterday afternoon, which show our responsible economic management, and we are offsetting all of the commitments we've made since the pre-election fiscal outlook was released at the beginning of the campaign. And I think that is in line with the concerns that S&P have raised, because it's responding to that and ensuring that the Budget is actually in better shape at the end of the campaign for Labor than it was in the beginning, just slightly improved. And that shows how serious we take this. We do need to find savings across government. We are putting them on the table, we're being upfront, we've released all our costings, and now it's really time for Peter Dutton and his team to release their costings and their secret cuts that they'll need to make to pay for their nuclear reactors.
BRENNAN: Alright, we'll get a response from the Coalition when we have one of their spokespeople on the programme. Will you continue financial support for community organisations to deliver Welcome to Country ceremonies?
GALLAGHER: Well, the Government has a position that this is a measure of respect, to support Welcome to Country, the Prime Minister has been clear on that. I think the issue that Peter Dutton has raised in the last couple of days really is to distract away from the train wreck of a campaign they're having and also the fact they don't want to talk about nuclear. And he's got form on this. I mean, we see it as a measure of respect. We are very proud of the fact that we share this land with the world's oldest continuous culture. And I see that organisations who do make their own decisions about whether to have a Welcome to Country ceremony at the beginning of events have come out. And not only did Peter Dutton verbal the Indonesian Prime Minister, it now appears the many RSL organisations as well. I think most Australians are generous of spirit and see this as an important part of acknowledging our history and having respect for --
BRENNAN: Sorry to interrupt. I mean, we've seen sporting organisations like the Melbourne Storm pull away from a Welcome to Country on Anzac Day. I guess my question goes back to the financial support. Will you still be providing financial support to community organisations to deliver these ceremonies if you're elected?
GALLAGHER: Well, we haven't made any changes to the way that we would be operating in the first term to how we would operate in the second term.
BRENNAN: And do you think you've done enough to speak to Indigenous people post the referendum in the last 18 months? There is some evidence that there's a high level of distress about the level of racism and abuse in the community. Are you speaking to that enough in the campaign?
GALLAGHER: Look, I think so. I think the Prime Minister's speech at Garma following the referendum was a really important one, which sort of put out our Government's view of the next steps, acknowledging the hurt and trauma that came with the referendum and the result that I think provided a lot of distress to many communities around Australia. And so the focus really is on working with communities, First Nations communities about the supports and investments that support their self-determination, whether it be in economic opportunities or in health or in education. And that's the work that's underway now, led of course by that amazing woman, Malarndirri McCarthy and her team. There's more to do, clearly, Bridget, but we remain deeply committed to it.
BRENNAN: Alright, we'll let you get on with your busy day, Katy Gallagher, thanks for your time.
GALLAGHER: Thank you.
ENDS
