Doorstop Interview

Sydney

Tuesday, 10 July 2007

9.30 am

SUBJECTS: Polls, economic management, leadership

JOURNALIST:

What did you think on this morning’s polls?  Is there some bad news there for you?

TREASURER:

Well I think what the polls show of course is that the next election will be tight; that as people focus, I believe, more on the issues of keeping their jobs, making their businesses profitable, keeping interest rates low, that the Coalition’s proven economic performance will become more important.  That is a process which will go on over the weeks and the months which lie ahead. 

JOURNALIST:

Are you surprised with the results though?  Because you have announced some popular ideas in the last couple of weeks, are you surprised that it didn’t improve a lot more?

TREASURER:

Oh well, I think as you look down to the election, and it is still several months away, people are beginning to focus more on the issues and I think the issue of the election will be whether or not you have proven economic managers who can ensure that there are job opportunities for young people, that interest rates are kept low and the economy grows – that is the Liberal and National Parties – or whether you want to risk all of that on Labor.

JOURNALIST:

Treasurer, it is now a year since the leadership tensions in exactly the same building, do you think the Party made the right decision back then?

TREASURER:

Oh of course the Party made the right decision and the Party is very focused on the next election.

JOURNALIST:

So no regrets?

TREASURER:

Oh, in politics the important thing is to keep doing what is right for the Australian public, that is what I focus on.  Okay.

JOURNALIST:

(inaudible).

TREASURER:

Everybody is entitled to their view but I think Australians understand better the needs of the Northern Territory and what has to be done and I think that there is overwhelming support amongst the Australian public