SUBJECTS: Radiation therapy in the Eurobodalla, interest rate rises, climate change.
SIMON LAUDER: Well, it was the 10th consecutive rate rise since May last year. The RBA lifting the official cash rate to 3.6%. The governor of the Reserve Bank, Philip Lowe, has flagged there could be more rate hikes to help bring inflation under control. We're joined now by the Federal Member for Gilmore, Fiona Phillips. Good morning. What is the Federal Government doing to alleviate the pain that Australians are feeling with the increased mortgage rates at the moment?
FIONA PHILLIPS: Yeah, well look, our job is focusing on what we can do to address the significant inflation challenge that we have. And what we're doing is providing relief for people doing it tough through a number of measures like cheaper childcare, cheaper medicines, a range of initiatives, but also about repairing our broken supply chains. And that's about getting our economy more productive. And that's why you've seen things like fee free TAFE trying to get more workers trained. We know we've got a massive skills shortage and, of course, restraint in the budget. So, yes, so there's lots of things that we can do and we know it's tough for people, but we're very focused on doing what we can. The Reserve Bank obviously has to do their job. But if we get on and do what we need to do to address the inflation challenge, then that's the important thing.
SIMON LAUDER: Is there going to be more pain with increasing electricity prices again this year?
FIONA PHILLIPS: Well, I think it’s a good thing we have our energy price relief plan that we came back to Parliament late last year to vote on. There's been some really promising news there. We've actually seen forward energy prices drop quite significantly. So that will mean that the increases won't be as much as they would have been if that energy price relief plan wasn’t enacted. I might add that the opposition actually voted against that energy relief. But we're seeing that the real benefits of that energy price relief plan will come into full effect moving forward.
SIMON LAUDER: And the federal government is pushing ahead with a bill to tackle climate change, a bill that would impose emissions limits on the 215 largest polluting facilities in Australia. How would that work and would it affect any facilities or factories in the seat of Gilmore?
FIONA PHILLIPS: I think it's important to mention that this is a policy that has received, wide industry support. And of course the LNP actually supported the reform as well. So it's not new They are big reforms, as I said, a lot of support for it. They're designed to reduce emissions by over 200 million tonnes and that's the equivalent of taking two thirds of Australia's cars off the road just between now and 2030. So there's a lot of information out there on the safeguards mechanism. There's a lot of negotiations obviously going on behind closed doors here in Parliament. I'm optimistic that we can get this passed. Look, I mean, the Greens need to decide if they want to vote with Peter Dutton for another decade of climate wars, just like they did in 2009. I think we've gone to the election with a mandate to take strong action on climate and this safeguard mechanism is an important part of that.
SIMON LAUDER: The Greens say for their support, they want the Government to rule out any new coal and gas projects. And the Energy Minister Chris Bowen has rejected the prospect of blocking any new coal or gas projects. I mean, isn't it a bit confusing? On one hand you're trying to reduce emissions, on the other hand approving new coal and gas projects.
FIONA PHILLIPS: Well, we need to transition as quickly as possible in a sensible way to more renewables and that's what we're doing. So gas and coal have a very important part to play in that transition. We also need to make sure that we're protecting Australian and local jobs and supporting our local businesses that support our workers and our local communities. So we have to be really smart about this and that's why our plan that we took to the election had the support of the business community. It was a sensible, practical plan. So I know the Minister is definitely having those ongoing conversations with the Greens and the crossbench and we'll continue to do so this week.
SIMON LAUDER: On the new Eurobodalla Regional Hospital, the Federal Government has allocated $8 million for a radiotherapy clinic to be part of that hospital, but the State Government is refusing to include that clinic in its designs. And the Health Minister Brad Hazzard, said there just aren't enough patients to attract the necessary health workers to the region to justify a radiotherapy clinic in the south east. What do you say to that?
FIONA PHILLIPS: Oh look, I do not accept Brad Hazzard words at all. I just don't accept it. There are parts of New South Wales with far smaller populations that have radiation therapy treatment available for people. We've got an entire south east area where people have either got to travel to Canberra Interstate, or to Nowra and we're talking about significant trips. Look, I mean, after we made that commitment just before the election, again. The then Liberal Minister for Health, Greg Hunt, said there was no need for Labour's commitment, and on WIN News he said this is already in train to be delivered jointly by the Perrett and Morrison governments, he said it’s already underway. And I think people in the Eurobodalla and further afield know that we need this radiation therapy centre absolutely desperately, and I would strongly encourage the New South Wales Government to listen to people in the Eurobodalla. I've made sure that funding is available and ready. If you're building a level four hospital. It needs to include radiation therapy. If you look at the level four hospital in Nowra, it has radiation therapy. People in the Eurobodalla are getting dudded by the New South Wales Liberal Government on this. I do note that I saw that the New South Wales Minister for Regional Health say that she will employ a consultant to discuss this with key stakeholders. So I do remain hopeful that we will see this and it's certainly something that I will continue to press. I don't give up on something like that, and I know that the community will never give up on that. I know Dr Michael Holland has been a fierce fighter for a radiation therapy centre in the Eurobodalla. We cannot have the case where people have to travel hours and hours for treatment.
SIMON LAUDER: Okay. Now, also this morning, we're talking about analysis from Dairy Australia showing more Australians are ditching the low fat or skim milk in favour of full cream milk. What's your take on this with your background in dairy farming?
FIONA PHILLIPS: Well, I think I've had a lot of different types of milk over my life. I had, you know, milk straight from the dairy and it was definitely the full cream right on the top of the billy-can. But look, there's lots of trends and you know, for me, personally, I've gone back to light white. But yeah, interestingly enough, I actually sit on the Agriculture Committee for the House of Representatives, and we've got an inquiry going into food security in Australia. So I'm looking forward to hearing more about milk and the dairy industry and trends moving forward as well. I think the important thing is that we support our dairy farmers and all our farmers because we know how important to our supply chains and for our food intake that agriculture is.
SIMON LAUDER: Great to talk to you this morning. Fiona Phillips, thanks a lot.
FIONA PHILLIPS: Thank you very much.
