Anika Wells MP on 4BC with Scott Emerson

E&OE TRANSCRIPT
RADIO INTERVIEW
4BC DRIVE WITH SCOTT EMERSON
FRIDAY, 18 MARCH 2022

SUBJECTS: Passing of Senator Kimberley Kitching; low unemployment figures; cost of living; South Australian state election. 
 
SCOTT EMERSON, HOST: And every week we have our own version of Question Time here on 4BC Drive. We're joined by the Labor member Lilley Anika Wells. How are you Anika?

ANIKA WELLS, MEMBER FOR LILLEY: I’m well Scott. and hello Julian, how are you? 

EMERSON: Well, how are you Julian? How are you? 

JULIAN SIMMONDS, MEMBER FOR RYAN: It’s good to be with you and your listeners.

EMERSON: Of course, we're joined by the member for Ryan with the LNP there, Julian Simmons. Let's start with you, Anika. Labor Party is under scrutiny at the moment after allegations the late senator Kimberly Kitching was bullied by fellow Labor senators before her death. Now, of course our thoughts and condolences are with Senator Kitching’s family and friends. But I guess the question still remains, more generally, is there a cultural problem within the Labor Party, Anika?

WELLS: I think I'd point to the fact that Federal Labor adopted our updated National Code of Conduct early last year. And that was in response to some of the issues that have been raised by Emma Husar and others in recent times. It was to address those concerns. And that code outlines very clearly from Federal Labor members like myself right through to our volunteers, what is expected. And it ensures that everybody can be treated fairly and with respect. And since then, we've now had…I’m appointed to the Joint Standing Committee on Parliamentary Standards. Which has been specifically tasked with delivering the recommendations of the Jenkins Review into Parliamentary Workplace Culture. And I think ultimately, everyone has a role to play when it comes to bullying or any of the other unacceptable forms of behaviour we've heard about this parliamentary term. To make sure that our procedures, our processes are in place to stamp it out.

EMERSON: So you're saying Labor has changed?

WELLS: Yeah, I think we…people have made allegations. These issues have come up, they've been widely covered. I know I feel like we've been discussing these issues in my term in the parliament. And we've actually donesomething about it. People like Sharon Claydon, who's one of my Federal Labor colleagues, has spent so much time and effort leading this process internally. To make sure that we have heard those issues, we've considered them, we've addressed them and we've put in place processes to stop it happening again. 

EMERSON: Well Julian Simmons, the Coalition has normally been subject to numerous allegations in terms of bullying and, and other issues out there over the last 12 months. From your side of politics, how are you seeing what's played out this week from Labor?

SIMMONDS: Well, any of these kinds of concerns have to be taken very seriously. That's, that's stating the bleeding obvious isn’t it. So I don't think that a refusal by senior members, or a blanket denial does justice to what was clearly Senator Kitching’s concerns. But you know what Scott, I'm also very conscious that we have a family and the Labor Party and all parliamentarians are grieving. And we have a funeral on Monday. And I think there's a time to answer these questions about Senator Kitching’s concerns in due course. But in the immediate term, we should be focusing on her legacy and allowing this family to grieve.

EMERSON: I think look clearly, that is the issue out there at the moment. That this is a very difficult time for Senator Kitching's family, including her husband, Andrew, and they are grieving at the moment. The funeral is on Monday. But clearly these issues are out there. They have been dominating the federal discussion this week. Do you think any of these issues are going to affect the election. Do the voters pay attention to these issues? Julian Simmons?

SIMMONDS: Again, you know, these issues are not raised in a political context. They've only been raised, you know, they haven't been raised by our side. They've been raised by Senator Kitching and those who are covering her passing. So all I would simply say is it's not a political point to state that these concerns should always be taken seriously no matter which side of politics they’re on. And, you know, blanket denials or refusal to answer questions, doesn't take it seriously. And my point I'm making is that is that there will be a time when fulsome answers should be given about what happened with Senator Kitching. And how her concerns were addressed and why they weren't at the time.

EMERSON: Now I’m talking to the local member for Lilley, Anika Wells, and the LNP Member for Ryan, Julian Simmons. Julian, let's talk about unemployment figures now. They came out yesterday. Australia's unemployment rate now is at 4 per cent. That's the lowest rate since 2008. It doesn't get much lower than this. I think last time it was lower than this was in about 1974 when it got down into below 3 per cent. But how much lower do you think it can go? We've heard about something below 4 per cent. But Josh Frydenberg, he's got a budget being handed down on March the 29th. What do you think the forecast will be for how low unemployment can go?

SIMMONDS: Well, look, I'm not going…I'm not going to give away any budget secrets. But I think we could get lower. I think the Reserve Bank is forecasting an unemployment figure with a three in front of it. Where exactly it lands is still to be seen. But you’re right. Unemployment of 4 per cent is a fantastic result. It’s the lowest since 2008. And it means 400,000, almost 400,000 more jobs than before the pandemic. We can't lose sight of what this means. This is jobs for families. This is breadwinners who are able to give their family hope and options. And at the end of the day, that's what a government should be providing. And it shows our economic plan is working. But you know, it's not all about the high-level figures. You know, we're also very conscious that families are hurting out there with the cost of living. And that this is something that we have to, as well as creating jobs and opportunities, which we have done according to our economic plan. That we are looking to address the cost of living for families as well.

EMERSON: Anika Wells, wouldn't you agree this is a great number?

WELLS: It’s part of the story, definitely. But the same figures tell us that we have 954,000 Australians who are now working multiple jobs just to make ends meet and provide for their families. That’s 100,000 (more) Australians since Christmas, who have had to take on a second job to make ends meet. And, you know, this is what people are talking about in the street. The fact that their Ford Focus costs 120 bucks to fill up the tank with petrol. That’s from one of my constituents Sarah. And while that cost of living is going up, and you can see it when you drive down main roads and the prices at petrol stations. Wages still aren't going anywhere, that wages are going backwards. And I think lots of people are struggling with that cost of living. And when we talk about these figures, that's what that actually means for people - childcare, petrol, groceries - these rising costs putting pressure on the family budget, having to take on second jobs.

EMERSON: But the fact that people can get jobs…go on Julian.

SIMMONDS: Well I was just going to say…I mean wages is only one side of the coin, right? And certainly, if you're going to see wages increase you need a tight employment market, which you’re certainly seeing at 4 per cent. But remember, there's more money in people's pockets too because from what they’ve earned because of the tax cuts that we’ve delivered over the last three years. Tax cuts that we had to drag Labor, kicking and screaming, to support. And that they have no plan for future tax cuts going forward, either. That's not part of their DNA like it is for us. So, you know, we've seen the cost of electricity come down by 8 per cent, over the last two years, after it went up 100% under the last Labor government. And I think you'll see, because of how conscious we are, that the budget that will be delivered in a couple of weeks, will have a strong cost-of-living focus.

EMERSON: What do you think about that Anika? 

WELLS: Well, I look forward to the federal budget. I want to see…I want to see these mounting pressures on working families addressed. That's what people are worried about. You know, we've just had this flood. They've affected people's hip pocket, because it's made us all tune into insurance costs and what they're going to do. You know, people can't get their hands on a car, because they've lost their car in the flood. People's childcare costs have gone up heaps, like nearly 20 per cent in some of my suburbs, Scott. So this is what people are worried about. This is what people want federal parliaments focused on. So you know, I look forward with hope to Julian's budget next Tuesday. And with possibly more great tangible hope for Albo’s budget reply.

EMERSON: All right then.

SIMMONDS: {laughing} I’m sure you won't be disappointed. 

EMERSON: Alright, Anika Wells, we normally don't talk much about South Australian politics here on 4BC Drive. But the state election is on tomorrow. And if…according to the polls, and polls can be wrong. But the gap between Labor and the Liberals, according to the polls, is that Labor is going to have a pretty easy win tomorrow night. Now, the federal election is in the next two months. Do you think the result from South Australia tomorrow will have any influence, any indication of what's going to happen for the federal election Anika?

WELLS: Oh, I would say my South Australian husband would like to see you focus more on South Australian politics in your afternoon session, Scott. Just passing along that feedback. Look, we'll see what the numbers say once counting has started tomorrow. I remember how everyone felt about the 2019 federal election. And election night actually was quite different, wasn’t it. I think you know what, how this translates to the federal election…I don’t know. I think people that you know I'm looking after at the moment in Brighton or Deagon who just had to deal with their house flooding isn't paying too much attention to that sort of inside-baseball stuff. But what people are paying attention to, is who turns up to help them when they need it most. And, you know, you know me well and I’d say that isn't the Morrison Government. And some of the things that we're having to deal with at the moment aboutpeople's emergency payments. You know, who gets the emergency fund funding and who doesn't, and the disaster payments in different parts of the country. You know, all of that is what people will be voting on at the federal election.

EMERSON: And Julian, a bad loss for the Liberals in South Australia. Will that be a bad omen for the Morrison Government in the federal election?

SIMMONDS: Well, I mean, I'd like to see, Premier Marshall win. You know, I think he's done a great job of keeping the South Australian community safe during the pandemic and working with the federal government to help us deal with the pandemic. But, you know, look, I agree, I think we have to see how it how it turns out. You know, I remember Sportsbet paying out on a Labor win at the last federal election the day before and that didn't turn out to be accurate. So let's see how the cards fall but certainly, I think Premier Marshall’s done a tremendous job and deserves to be re-elected down there. 

EMERSON: All right, then Anika Wells, the Labor Member for Lilley and Julian Simmons, the member for Ryan, the LNP Member for Ryan, thanks for being on our version of Question Time. We'll catch you again next week.

WELLS: Have a good weekend, everyone.

ENDS