90 Second Statement: The Treasurer

Australians are struggling with cost-of-living pressures, rocketing energy costs and rising interest rates. We know that many in the caucus are worried the Treasurer's stale talking points are not cutting it with Australians hurting in this cost-of-living crisis. The man charged with solving these problems, the Treasurer, is a big Labor thinker who was kind enough to point this out to us in his dazzling essay in The Monthly. He reminded us that other big Labor thinkers have done the same thing—Kevin Rudd in February 2009 and Wayne Swan in March 2012. He cited the timeless wisdom of a Greek philosopher: 'No man ever steps in the same river twice.' You thought Yoda from Star Wars was good; this is next level!

Also next level is the list of reasons the essay gives us for why bad economic outcomes in Australia are not the Treasurer's fault. He's kept doing it all year, repeatedly saying Australia's high inflation is due to international factors. That's not what RBA governor Michele Bullock says; she says our inflation is homegrown. I say to Australians: do not worry about these minor details. Read the Treasurer's essay. It will comfort you. His big goal this year is to build a better capitalism, uniquely Australian. His promise is that 2023 is the year he does this. The good news is that in just over a month he will have finished the job. I say to Australians: don't be troubled. This big Labor thinker apparently has all the answers.