TRANSCRIPT
THE HON PETER COSTELLO MP
Treasurer

Doorstop Interview
Friday, 27 June 2003

12.35 PM
WatersEdge, Pier One, Walsh Bay, Sydney

SUBJECTS: Charity; Governor-General; Anglican Theology; Interest Rates;

Labor Confusion.

JOURNALIST:

You seem to be suggesting in your speech that the church has a bit of

an image problem (inaudible)

TREASURER:

I think that trust is a really important value particularly when you

are dealing with charities and I think that public trust has been shaken

a bit by some of the recent events in relation to charities, well known

charities. I think it is important that the church address that issue,

address it head on, and that it convince the public of its credentials

and its ability to change lives. And if the church is able to show that

it is still in the business of changing peoples’ lives then the public

trust and the public confidence will follow. And I think that is the

important challenge that lies behind, for all of the charities really,

at the current time.

JOURNALIST:

How should they regain that public trust?

TREASURER:

I think it is important that they are careful of the claims that they

make. I think it is important that they be efficient with resources.

But I think it is also important that they can show those lives that

have been changed and helped as a consequence of their work. Charities

perform an incredibly valuable role in our society. The Government can’t

do it all. And when the Government does try to do it all it is cumbersome

and it is slow and it is inefficient. And that is where you need the

voluntary sector to step up and to fill in the gaps and to respond quickly,

and to bring people with strong moral and religious commitment to help

those that are in need.

JOURNALIST:

Given the…

TREASURER:

If we lose that role we are going to lose something very important in

society.

JOURNALIST:

Given the controversies that have been surrounding the churches for a

while now do you think it was a wise appointment to appoint Dr Hollingworth

to the Governor-General position and are you happy now that it is not

a man of the cloth in that position?

TREASURER:

Well, look, the appointment was made. Dr Hollingworth has now stood down

from the office. I don’t think there is much point in going over the

events except to say this, that we learnt something important, I think,

through the episode, and that is, that you can’t turn a blind eye to

sexual abuse in the church or anywhere else. And if that lesson has been

learnt then that is one of the positives which has come out of this.

JOURNALIST:

Should gays be welcome in the Anglican Church?

TREASURER:

Well look, this is a matter for Anglican theology and I don’t advise…

JOURNALIST:

Your view?

TREASURER:

…well I don’t advise the Anglican Church on theological issues. I take

advice on political issues but I wouldn’t presume to advise them on theological

issues.

JOURNALIST:

Treasurer, lower interest rates will help families, are you hoping the

Reserve Bank will deliver that next week?

TREASURER:

Look, we set interest rates in Australia according to Australian conditions.

We have an inflation target, underlying inflation of 2-3 per cent, and

we are within that. In fact pressure is probably coming off in relation

to inflation. But the world is weak, Australia continues to outperform

the other developed world economies and until such time as we see a US

recovery, that is going to make things difficult here in Australia, so

I welcome the fact that the US Fed has cut interest rates in the last

twenty-four hours and I hope that will lead to stronger conditions in

the United States.

JOURNALIST:

The Opposition is suggesting if we do have a cut it shows our economy

is in real trouble, how do you respond to that?

TREASURER:

Well, the Opposition is usually so confused in relation to economic policy

it is hard to follow their twists and turns.

JOURNALIST:

So you expect Peter Costello to be buying more into social issues in

the future?

TREASURER:

Love to, love to have the opportunity to do so. And I will be taking

those opportunities. Thanks very much. Thank you.