Doorstop Interview

Sophia’s Pizza Restaurant

Burke Road, Camberwell

Friday, 14 April 2006

SUBJECTS: Good Friday Appeal, Victorian opposition, industrial relations, petrol prices, protest at King’s Domain, AWB inquiry

TREASURER:

(Inaudible) a hundred and fifteen thousand dollars in proceeds today to help children in what is a world class hospital, wonderful hospital and I think every Victorian has benefited from that hospital in one way or another. I know as a child I certainly attended the hospital and I know from personal, first hand experience what a great institution this is.

JOURNALIST:

Worth belting out a tune for?

TREASURER:

It’s worth belting out a tune, it’s probably even worth practising and by next year I’m really going to sing in tune to try and increase my effort for the Royal Children’s Hospital.

JOURNALIST:

(Inaudible).

TREASURER:

Well look I, everybody makes the contribution in the way that they can. I’m down here at my local pizza place where I eat on Friday nights. I’m making my contribution and making a few pizzas and helping the kids as well.

JOURNALIST:

Well he’s up in Queensland surely he’s not making much of a contribution?

TREASURER:

Oh well look everybody is entitled to make a contribution in the way that they see fit. The good news is millions of Victorians are making a contribution.

JOURNALIST:

You don’t see that as indicative of the problems in the state Liberal Party at the moment? That they’re (inaudible).

TREASURER:

No, no, no, no, the good news is I’m making pizzas here at Sofia’s Pizza House and I’m having great fun doing it.

JOURNALIST:

If you were State Opposition Leader (inaudible).

TREASURER:

Let me let you in on a secret. I never aspire to be the State Opposition Leader. Just a secret between (inaudible)

JOURNALIST:

Rob Hulls was saying today that he’s worried about workers missing out on (inaudible) employees might exploit confusion surrounding new workplace laws. Is that a valid concern?

TREASURER:

I don’t think so. Look, it’s, it’s regrettable that somebody would try and make a political point on, on Good Friday. It’s a day when community comes together, when we do something for the kids and I’d say to Mr Hulls try and rise above partisan politics on a day like today, think about some bigger causes like the Royal Children’s Hospital and the Victorian community.

JOURNALIST:

The State Government’s urging employers not to exploit the, the laws. Is that something that you would agree with (inaudible)?

TREASURER:

Well I think it’s important that businesses and employees, all contribute and a day like today is when we all come together and we do something for the kids.

JOURNALIST:

(Inaudible) what’s your view?

TREASURER:

Look the world oil price is at an all time record. That affects petrol prices at the bowser here in Australia. Whilst demand is strong, oil prices will be strong until such time as supply is boosted. And the best news that we would get in relation to world oil prices is increased supply out of Iraq, more certainty out of Iran, more certainty out of countries like Nigeria and as a result of that more reliable supplies. But until that happens you’re going to see a high (inaudible) world oil prices which means a high Australian petrol prices.

JOURNALIST:

This weekend in Melbourne we’re seeing that a protest on Kings Domain continue (inaudible) what’s your view on the situation that is still going?

TREASURER:

Well I think the parks are for everybody, they’re for all the people of Melbourne and Victoria, not for any one group to go and camp there are try and take it over for their own political causes. And I’d just urge the protestors to obey the law, recognise the park, they’re entitled to walk through it, other Victorians are entitled to walk through it. We don’t want to see rubbish and we don’t want to see buildings and no body has the right to go down and rubbish Victoria’s great parks.

JOURNALIST:

(Inaudible).

TREASURER:

(Inaudible) well look, the parks are for the people of Victoria (inaudible) no particular group to go and camp, no particular group to make a mess. They’re for everybody and used peacefully by everybody. They are a great resource for all Victorians and I would urge the protestors to recognise that.

JOURNALIST:

What did you think of the Prime Minister’s performance in the

TREASURER:

Last, last question.

JOURNALIST:

in the commission yesterday?

TREASURER:

I thought it was um, a good performance, a performance where he fronted up in a show of great transparency. The fact that the Prime Minister of a country will turn up at a Royal Commission, will answer questions, is a testament to the transparency of the Government and the Government assisting the commission to get to the bottom of this. And I thought the Prime Minister did that wisely, judiciously and well. Thank you.

JOURNALIST:

(Inaudible).

TREASURER:

I’m going to go and cook my own pizza and then I’m going to eat my own pizza

JOURNALIST:

(Inaudible) a beer or wine to go with it or perhaps both?

TREASURER:

I’ll see how the afternoon progresses.

JOURNALIST:

(Inaudible)?

TREASURER:

This is a matter for dealing with under Australia’s (inaudible). Thank you very much. And now I’m going to cook my own pizza.