SENATOR THE HON KATY GALLAGHER
MINISTER FINANCE
MINISTER FOR WOMEN
MINISTER FOR THE PUBLIC SERVICE
MINISTER FOR GOVERNMENT SERVICES
E&OE TRANSCRIPT
TV INTERVIEW
TODAY SHOW
TUESDAY, 22 APRIL 2025
SUBJECTS: Pope Francis; Crime; Russia; National Security; Dutton's expensive nuclear scheme.
SARAH ABO, HOST: Well, for more on how the world is reacting to the death of Pope Francis, I'm joined by Finance Minister Katy Gallagher in Melbourne. Minister, good morning to you. This is a huge loss for our Catholic community.
KATY GALLAGHER, MINISTER FOR FINANCE, WOMEN, THE PUBLIC SERVICE AND GOVERNMENT SERVICES, LABOR CAMPAIGN SPOKESPERSON: Oh, absolutely, Sarah. And I think the news breaking late yesterday afternoon would be deeply shocking for millions of people, billions of Catholic faith, those that follow the Catholic faith, and certainly I think came as a shock to everybody.
ABO: And we know that the campaigns from both parties will pause as a mark of respect for today, and it sort of coincides with early voting getting underway. If we shift gears now, Katy, you guys have had a dream run these past few weeks. Are you confident you'll cruise through for a second term?
GALLAGHER: Well, we take nothing for granted, Sarah. And as you say, today will be an amendment to previous days on the campaign. I think the tone is one of reflection and respect for the Pope and his very significant twelve years in that role, and for all of the wonderful leadership he provided through his leadership of the Catholic Church. So, you will see a slightly different day-to-day. The PM will not be proceeding with a couple of the events we were doing. He's at Mass as we speak. He was at the cathedral last night as well. I mean, these things happen in campaigns and I think the PM has responded appropriately. But on your other question, we take nothing for granted. The election is close, there's still just under two weeks to go and we need to continue to talk to people about our positive plans for the future and we'll continue to do that right up to that final closing of the final ballot on 3 May.
ABO: Well, the polls certainly are going your way. It would take something almost catastrophic to turn them around at this point. I'm sure the Opposition is hoping for that to come. The Opposition leader of course will also take a back seat today just as a mark of respect. But when we do ramp up our election campaign again last minute -- did pitch, rather, for those out there about crime, announcing a $750 million crackdown, the Coalition will, including expanding on that criminal register. I suppose in the spirit of the bipartisanship we've seen a lot lately, will Labour support that plan?
GALLAGHER: Well, Sarah, I think in both of the areas that Mr Dutton announced yesterday, there is significant action either operating or underway. And I really do think probably crime is one of those areas where it doesn't need to be about politics. I mean, from our point of view, we will always back in what our police and what our security agencies are telling us that they need and back that with resources. And certainly, the child offenders' register is operating. And in terms of illicit tobacco, we had a big investment in the Budget to make sure we are able to crack down on some of what we're seeing in the operation there. So, I think my explanation to you is that we recognise in both of those areas that investment is needed and we've done that.
ABO: Yeah, I think though also, Minister, that you'll appreciate a lot of people, particularly in Melbourne where you are experiencing huge upticks in crime, a lot of youth crime as well. And it feels as though Labour really hasn't been towing the line in terms of clamping down on that and keeping Australians safe and the Coalition, there's no doubt they have been a lot stronger on it. Is that one of your weaker points? This is going to be just as important as cost-of-living for a lot of Australians.
GALLAGHER: Well, we certainly recognise that for some people, and as you say in Melbourne where there are concerns about crime and crime rates -- but as I said at the beginning, we will always back what the federal police and what the security agencies advise us they need in terms of power or powers or resources. And we have done that on every occasion that they have come to us. Some of those matters that are concerning Victorians I think are matters for the state police force. But certainly when it comes to the national responsibilities, we have responded every time and we'll continue to do so because the advice from our police and security agencies is advice that the government listens to.
ABO: Alright, just a couple of quick points to finish on, Minister, while I have you. We know that Russia continues to rear its head, security experts are warning this morning that Australia is being outplayed. Are you?
GALLAGHER: Well, I think if we're talking about some of the commentary that's been going on over the last few days, I mean, we reached out immediately to our Indonesian counterparts and they advised us that it is not going to happen. So, I think in terms of our relationships that we have with Indonesia in particular, and the effort and the strength of those relationships, we were very quickly able to get advice from Indonesia. And that advice was that the approaches from Russia or that report in the website, on Janes' website, was not going to happen.
ABO: Alright. And later today you plan to expose the Liberals' pricey election pledges, including nuclear power, which is varied from anywhere to $116 billion to $600 billion, which you've been touting obviously a lot. Also, those tax deductions. Considering labor's tax cut top ups, housing and healthcare plans will also add billions to national debt, I mean, this sounds a bit hypocritical.
GALLAGHER: Well, I think what you've seen from us is our Budget and then the pre-election fiscal outlook, which has a lot of our spending contained in it. And obviously, we will release our final costings in the lead up to the election. But the biggest single expenditure in the campaign is on nuclear. And we believe Peter Dutton should come clean on what it costs, how they're going to fund it, and what needs to be cut in order to pay for it. And that is, I mean, I don't think anyone's doubting that that is the real question that Mr Dutton needs to answer.
ABO: Two weeks to go. Let's see how the trips fall. Minister, thanks so much for joining us this morning.
ENDS
