Doorstop interview with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Tasmanian Premier Jeremy Rockliff, Hobart, Tasmania

ANTHONY ALBANESE, PRIME MINISTER: Well good morning, and it’s absolutely wonderful to be back here in this beautiful city of Hobart for what is a very exciting announcement, being joined by the Premier of Tasmania, Jeremy Rockliff, by the local federal Member, Andrew Wilkie, by the Minister for Environment, Tanya Plibersek, and by Senator Catryna Bilyk, as well as by TASPORTS who are here to answer any difficult technical questions if they should arise. Look this is a great announcement, this is about jobs here in Tasmania but it’s also about making sure that Tasmania continues to be the centre of being a gateway for the Antarctic - as it should be. It’s an investment in Hobart, an investment in Tasmania  and an investment in the future of Australian science. This $188 million commitment over four years to the Tasmanian Government to construct a new MAC06 Wharf here in the Port of Hobart. It will secure the long term access to a fit for purpose berth for RSV Nuyina as a base for the Australian Antarctic Program's operations here in Hobart. Now we know in terms of jobs, the Antarctic and Southern Ocean sector employs nearly 1000 people here in Tasmania. It contributes more than $180 million to the Tasmanian economy each and every year. So this has been something that we have asked for to work between the Commonwealth, the State Government here, and I think it will receive overwhelming support, not just of Tasmanians, but of Australians across the board. I note also, we're joined by the Lord Mayor of Hobart, Anna Reynolds as well. And it's great to have you here as well, Anna, for this important announcement. Now before I turn to the Premier, and he's going to then hand off to the Environment Minister. I do want to make some comments about one other issue, which is about unfair trading. My Government is determined to ensure that consumers get a fair deal. We're determined to make sure that when people use their debit cards, they're using their own money. They shouldn't be charged a surcharge for it, there shouldn't be extra. It's them spending their money coming directly from their bank account. And we want to make sure it's done in a way in which small business is looked after as well. But there are other traps and rorts there as well. In some cases, people who download a ticket for entertainment to a concert can pay more money for the privilege of downloading that ticket than what's on the ticket price. Now, what we want to make sure is that there's transparency and that these unfair practices and dodgy deals are outlawed. That's why we're providing additional funding for the ACCC. That's why we're prepared to legislate. This is a part of easing the cost of living for Australians. We shouldn't also have hidden fees and the manipulation that occurs so that if people subscribe to a product they're automatically renewed over and over again without their knowledge. And then they find they get their bills and all of a sudden there's all these charges, over and over again. So, we want to make sure that consumers are looked after and that's why we're initiating through the Treasury the consultation on the design of government legislation to prohibit these unfair trading practices. It's time that the law caught up with the practice that is going on because this is something that consumers are raising with us right around the country, including here in this great state of Tasmania, represented by the Premier.

JEREMY ROCKLIFF, PREMIER OF TASMANIA: Well, thanks very much, Prime Minister, and thanks once again for being here in Tasmania speaking so warmly, not only of our capital city, which we're all very proud of, but the whole of Tasmania. And the announcement today means a lot to all Tasmanians, not just those in Southern Tasmania. This secures Antarctic gateway for the next 30 years for Tasmania, it secures $188 million of investment over the course of the next four years. But over the course of every year, over $180 million in terms of benefit to the local economy and secures 1000 jobs. The scientists, the research specialists, those that supply the Nuyina and other vessels that come to the Antarctic gateway, it means so much. And on that note, I want to thank the Prime Minister, I want to thank Minister Plibersek who has been working - we've been working together, over the course of the year in a very constructive and positive way forward and I've been very pleased with the outcome today. I also want to thank those represented at the AAD, Emma, Richard Fader from the TAS Polar Network, the Mayor of Hobart, Anna Reynolds, and all advocates that have been strident in their support of the gateway remaining. Yes, Western Australia wanted to pinch our port. We wouldn't let that happen. So, bringing together common sense discussions around the table, working through these matters in a very collegiate, and a way that is driven by solutions and outcomes. And we've delivered a great outcome for Tasmania today. I want to thank the people that are here also, Andrew the local Member, Senator Catryna as well, and indeed Anthony from TASPORTS who have also played a very good and constructive role in sitting around the table with respective officials, such as Tanya’s, and our own officials here at the Tasmanian Government to work through what has been a very, very positive solution, but securing a great deal for Tasmania and the gateway to the Antarctic for the next three decades. And with those few words I’ll hand over to Minister Plibersek.

TANYA PLIBERSEK, MINISTER FOR THE ENVIRONMENT AND WATER: Thank you so much, Premier. It's wonderful to be here with the Prime Minister and the Premier for what is a great day for Hobart and a great day for Antarctic science. Hobart has long been the gateway to Antarctica and to the Southern Ocean and this announcement today secures that future for decades to come. This will give a fit for purpose home for our state of the art icebreaker Nuyina. It means that Nuyina will be able to concentrate on its job, which is that incredible science that it's doing in the Southern Ocean and in Antarctica. I do particularly want to thank the Prime Minister for his personal interest in making sure that this project proceeded. This brings the Albanese Labor Government's total extra investment in Antarctic science to close to $700 million since coming to government. That's the extra spending on top of what the previous Government was already spending, and that's the facilities that we're talking about today, it's the rebuilding of Macquarie Island, it's extra days at sea for Nuyina, extra scientific voyages. That investment makes all the difference to Antarctic science and all the people who are committed to it. I also want to particularly thank the Premier for his personal interest in this. Getting the Premier involved really has made all the difference to getting this project up and running and cracking through a bit of bureaucratic inertia. So, thank you very much, Premier, for your personal interest and engagement here. Having all three levels of government, the Federal Government, the State Government and of course the Local Government as well, working together has been the key to this success.

PRIME MINISTER: We're happy to take questions.

JOURNALIST: Starting with GST if you wouldn't mind, as a beginning for you, Prime Minister, you get asked every time you’re here.

PRIME MINISTER: Yeah, and we give the same answer, so refer to previous answer.

JOURNALIST: So, that's no?

PRIME MINISTER: So, if you ask the same question, you should expect the same answer, with respect. GST is something that's done by the Treasury to Treasury, it's the Howard Government’s legislation, not our legislation, it's the Howard Government's legislation.

JOURNALIST: How closely have you been watching the situation with the Spirits of Tasmania project and the conflict between TASPORTS and T-T line, and the amount of economic value this project holds for Tasmania and what's at stake?

PRIME MINISTER: Well, I had been watching it, but the Commonwealth isn't a player in that process. The State Government have, and I don't think it's appropriate, or any more appropriate for me to comment on internal State Government issues than it would be for the Premier to comment on internal Federal Government issues. So, I'll leave that to the Premier if he wishes to make any comments.

JOURNALIST: So, on the [inaudible] GST, there's no chance of an announcement during the election?

PRIME MINISTER: The GST is the Howard Government's legislation. It has not been changed.

JOURNALIST: Michael Ferguson made it sound like Peter Dutton might announce an exemption during the election campaign. You won't be following suit?

PRIME MINISTER: I don't think Michael Ferguson will be announcing anything.

JOURNALIST: $188 million for the upgrades here. And of course, it's been long known that the wharf here, is being – perhaps, has seen better days for a long period of time. How come it's taken so long to get the funding now? And are you confident that the $188 million will go far enough?

PRIME MINISTER: It will go far enough. It's been properly done. It's been done in partnership with TASPORTS and with the State Government and the Commonwealth Government. We want to make sure this is got right. That is why we've spent the time making sure that today's announcement is ready to go. The funding will be included in MYEFO, which will come down in December, will be included in our Budget next March and the funding will be available over four years.

JOURNALIST: As we've seen with the Spirit’s project, though, issues with port infrastructure, there can always be cost blowout, delays. How can we be sure with this project that won’t happen?

MINISTER PLIBERSEK: Look, one of the really great things about today's announcement is what great value it is for taxpayers. We've negotiated an excellent agreement with TASPORTS. It includes the Premier stepping up to make sure that issues like the refuelling of the Nuyina are taken care of. Until now, as you know, Nuyina has been having to travel to Burnie for refuelling. That adds about $900,000 a year to the expense the running the ship. That's almost $1 million a year that will go back into science because the Tasmanian Government is taking responsibility for finding a refuelling solution here in Hobart. On issues of cost overruns, we've already come to an agreement with the Tasmanian Government. If we change our minds, if we change the plans, then that's on us. But if there is any delay in construction or unexpected costs at the Tasmanian end, they'll be taking care of that. This represents a very well-considered, great value for taxpayers agreement.

JOURNALIST: How did you find dealing with TASPORTS, Minister? You (inaudible) said that they were putting the project at risk with their cost estimate.

MINISTER PLIBERSEK: Well, I can say the arrangement that we've come to with the support of the Premier has made all the difference. This is a really good deal for Tasmanian taxpayers and for Commonwealth taxpayers. We did think the initial proposal from TASPORTS was too expensive. It was not good value at that time. We've come to an arrangement with TASPORTS that I am very excited about. We're going to get a state of the art facility to house this state of the art vessel. It's going to make a huge contribution to the economy here in Hobart. It means the future of the Antarctic program is secure for Hobart. I think this is a day where we're all very pleased that we've come to an agreement. I think that's enough detail on that. I can talk to you later about this stuff.

JOURNALIST: Some more on the fair trading that you spoke about earlier. Which industries will the Government be targeting on its crackdown? Is it live music or music streaming?

PRIME MINISTER: We want to make sure that people get a fair deal, that there aren't hidden charges, that there aren't deceptive or manipulative practises, and that there's transparency. At the moment, if people want to cancel a subscription that they've made, they should be able to do it and it should be easy for it to happen.

JOURNALIST: Is that the final aim, and is that what you're hoping for?

PRIME MINISTER: The aim is to assist people with cost of living by removing dodgy arrangements and making sure that consumers get value.

JOURNALIST: A question from Canberra on your house purchase. How do you respond to senior Labor sources who have likened the decision to Scott Morrison's Hawaii visit?

PRIME MINISTER: What I'm focused on is delivering more houses for Australians. Yesterday I was in Queensland. We announced 1100 new homes for Queenslanders. The other thing that we've done is we've got legislation in the Senate that I'm sure Andrew Wilkie – because he's a person of good judgement most of the time – supported our Help to Buy legislation.

ANDREW WILKIE, MEMBER FOR CLARK: I did support the legislation, yes.

PRIME MINISTER: As did crossbenchers. This is about helping 40,000 Australians into their own home. And I can't understand why the Liberals, the Nationals or the Greens don't just vote for it. That's my focus.

JOURNALIST: Have you got an alternative plan since there being Senate obstruction.

PRIME MINISTER: Well, our plan is to get them to vote for it. The extraordinary thing is people who say, “it's good legislation.” It's actually Greens Party policy, they should vote for it. Anything else?

JOURNALIST: (inaudible) what do you say to them?

PRIME MINISTER: I'm focused on getting our Help to Buy legislation through. I'm focused on three things. One is making sure that more Australians can buy their own home. Second is helping renters through our Build to Rent scheme. And the third is our Housing Australia Future Fund and making sure that there's more public and social and community housing. And here in Tasmania, I've been up in Launceston looking at the homes that are being built in Lonnie as a result of what we are doing. And I note that Michael Sukkar, the Opposition Spokesperson, yesterday, bizarrely criticised the delay in the roll-out of the Housing Australia Future Fund that they voted against, that the Greens delayed for more than a year, and criticised the roll-out of the Help to Buy scheme that's still being held up in the Senate. You know, we want to get on with helping Australians, whether it be public housing, whether it be rentals, or whether it be buying their own home.

JOURNALIST: Prime Minister, will you be meeting with Dean Winter while you’re here?

PRIME MINISTER: Yes, I will.

JOURNALIST: Do you know what's on the agenda for that discussion?

PRIME MINISTER: Well, if I told you what was on the agenda for that discussion, a bit like my discussion with the Premier here – I have discussions with people across the board and I will be catching up with Dean just like I caught up with the Premier here. I have a good relationship. My job is to look after Tasmanians regardless of who is in government, regardless of the political flavour. Can I say this about this Premier, as well? Every time we meet, we don't have a Labor or a Liberal hat on. What we have on in his case is a Tasmanian hat and in my case an Australian hat. That's what Australian taxpayers want, that's what Tasmanians want and that's what we're delivering with our reform here in Tasmania, whether it be infrastructure investment such as we're announcing today, new housing, which we're delivering, the schools agreement that we've delivered, the Urgent Care Clinics up the road, the Fee-Free TAFE. All of these things are being delivered in a constructive way and that's how I deal with people. Thanks very much.