Sunrise presenter Nat Barr criticized Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles for saying voters felt the government was effectively tackling the cost of living crisis.
“The most important thing we can do is put downward pressure on inflation,” Marles explained.
“We have achieved this by delivering two surpluses in the two years we have governed, something the Coalition never did during their entire mandate, even though they said they would do it every year,” he said.
“Australians know we are on their side in this regard.”
But Barr quickly responded.
“I don’t know if that’s the case; the polls would show otherwise, but that’s another debate,” Barr said.
He was referring to this week’s Newspoll which showed the Coalition taking the lead for the first time since the 2022 election with a 51-49 lead on a two-party preference basis.
Barr also confronted Marles about Anthony Albanese’s purchase of an opulent $4.3 million five-bedroom home in Copacabana on the New South Wales Central Coast.
“I couldn’t have cared less,” Mr. Marles said.
“Frankly, it is a matter for him. What I do care about is what we are doing in relation to the cost of living pressures Australians face.
“When I talk to Australians, they’re not interested in what Anthony is doing in his private life; they want to know what we as a government are doing.”
Sunrise presenter Nat Barr has clashed with Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is spending $4.5 million on this beachfront clifftop home
Barr also asked Marles about claims by her former chief of staff, Jo Tarnawsky, that unidentified people forced her out of the job.
“Now, serious questions are being raised about the independence of the Parliamentary Workplace Support Service, with Ms Tarnawsky’s lawyers accusing the service of consulting with Richard Marles before sending a legal letter to her team,” Barr said.
“Does Parliament still have a problem with harassment?” he asked Mr. Marles.
“Parliament should be an example in terms of employment in Australia,” Mr Marles said.
“I have said this often and have certainly tried to implement it within my own office. I know that MPs and ministers across the board are doing the same.
‘When the Jenkins Report (on parliamentary culture) gave its recommendations, we implemented them.
“Not for a moment do I believe the job is done. “This is a long-lasting work in progress.”
Australia to donate 49 M1A1 Abrams tanks to Ukraine to help them resist Russian occupation
With Australian Bureau of Statistics figures showing Australia’s fertility rate has fallen to a record low and births are down four per cent on the previous year, Mr Marles was asked if devolution was necessary of the birth bonus.
During the Howard Liberal government, Treasurer Peter Costello introduced a baby bonus payment as a financial incentive to have more children, praising Australians for “having one for mum, one for dad and one for the country”.
Marles noted that he had personally done his part by having four children, but ruled out another baby bonus.
“What we’re focused on is finding ways to make it more affordable to raise a family,” he said.
“The Prime Minister and the whole Government have had a huge focus on more affordable childcare, which is making a difference when it comes to people’s ability to have and raise children.”
Marles, who is Minister of Defense, also spoke about the announcement made yesterday that the Albanese government was delivering 49 taxpayer-funded M1A1 Abrams tanks to Ukraine for use in the war with Russia.
“This is a conflict that is long-lasting, we know that, we have to be there for a long time, and that is certainly our intention,” Mr. Marles said.
“We continue to work with Ukraine on how we can support them in ways that allow them to resolve this conflict on their terms.”