E&OE TRANSCRIPT

SUBJECTS: Services Australia payment increases; Reserve Bank; wage growth

BILL SHORTEN, MINISTER FOR THE NDIS AND GOVERNMENT SERVICES: Good morning, everybody. I'm here at Services Australia Darlinghurst service centre, talking to the staff, making sure that everything's in place for the increase in payments and supports from July 1st. I've been very impressed by how hard Services Australia staff work, and I would certainly also encourage people who can, to go online. There are queues at this time of year on the phones to talk to people, but if you go online for MyGov, you can get all your questions answered in a really speedy fashion. It's a lot quicker for you, and also it will make it easier for other people who may need to call on more urgent matters. That’s fine, Trudy.

JOURNALIST: Perfect. New figures out today ahead of the Reserve Bank [inaudible] Australians are experiencing mortgage stress [inaudible]. 

SHORTEN: I and the whole Albanese Government are very conscious of the pressure the mortgage holders are under. The Reserve Bank of Australia controls monetary policy. They are independent of government. But I know that mortgage holders are doing it incredibly hard at the moment. I notice that inflation is coming down, that the peak we hope for, the spike, has passed. So, my thoughts are with mortgage holders today and I hope that the news is positive, not negative for them.

JOURNALIST: We’ve seen more data [inaudible] wage rises [inaudible] do you share those concerns [inaudible]

SHORTEN: The Reserve Bank Governor, of course, it's his right to have his opinion or view on circumstances. For me, I'm pleased that wages are moving modestly at last. They've been too low for too long. I am probably more concerned by the possibility of large corporations, banks, the big food companies, the big retail chains increasing their prices, putting pressure on household budgets than I am about an aged care worker getting a couple of extra dollars. 

JOURNALIST: [inaudible]

SHORTEN: I think the dominant pressure in the economy has been caused by Russia's illegal war against Ukraine, it has been caused by supply chain problems overseas from China. I think also there's been a lack of long-term investment in skills and training in our energy grid. I wouldn't attribute a disability care worker or nursing home worker getting a couple of dollars more an hour as the person to blame for inflation in this country. I think it's a lack of long-term thinking historically, plus external pressures from overseas. 

JOURNALIST: [inaudible]

SHORTEN: Oh, the decision about the Reserve Bank Governor will be made by the Treasurer. Based on what’s in the long-term interests of the nation, but it's a matter which isn't in my portfolio of responsibility, so I think quite sensibly, I’ll leave that to the Treasurer

JOURNALIST: [inaudible]

SHORTEN: The English Prime Minister obviously has to barrack for England. That's what I think he's doing, barracking for England. I think our Ashes team is doing incredibly well. More power to their arm. I think they're giving the English a lesson in cricket. 

JOURNALIST: Thank you.

SHORTEN: Thanks. See you.