Interview with Natalie Barr, Sunrise

12 February 2025

NATALIE BARR: The Australian Government is hoping to avoid hefty new tariffs on metal exports after Anthony Albanese held a constructive phone call with U.S President Donald Trump. 25% tariffs on all steel and aluminum imports will come into effect on March 12, meaning the PM has just one month to secure an exemption before they begin. But it may not be easy, with Mr. Trump's administration already giving Australia a lashing for breaking a previous deal to limit aluminum exports for their take. Let's bring in Housing and Homelessness Minister Clare O'Neil and Shadow Finance Minister Jane Hume, good morning to both of you. Clare, how likely is it that Australia ends up being hit with these new tariffs?

CLARE O’NEIL: Look, I won't get into the odds with you, Nat, but I can tell you that this is a process that the Australian Government has been preparing for for a really long time. The way to approach this with our friends in America is courteously, professionally and just putting those facts before them, that actually that mutual trading relationship between the U.S and Australia is hugely beneficial to both our citizens and to theirs. You mentioned that Prime Minister Albanese has had that really constructive conversation with President Trump, and that's been widely reported upon. I think there's a few chapters left to write here, but we've made some really important steps in the right direction.

NATALIE BARR: Okay, Jane, let's go back to Donald Trump talking about a broken promise back in 2018 where he says Malcolm Turnbull did a deal and promised to limit the amount of aluminum we send. Have you had a chat to Malcolm? Is that what happened and now we've broken the promise?

JANE HUME: I can't say I called Malcolm about this in the last 24 hours. What I can say, though, is that by using the relationships that we had, the Coalition Government secured an exemption in the previous Trump Administration. Peter Dutton stood up yesterday and committed to bipartisan support to help Anthony Albanese act in the national interest. We want to see him use those relationships that he has with the Trump administration to make sure that we can secure a good deal for Australia. Our trading relationship with the U.S is profoundly important. This is no exception. We would hope that there would be consideration of that in the negotiations between the U.S, Trump Administration and the Australian Government.

NATALIE BARR: Okay, moving on. It's been revealed that Government departments and agencies have spent more than half a million dollars on Welcome to Country and smoking ceremonies in the two years to July 2024. Already the Coalition Government Efficiency spokesperson Jacinta Price is considering diverting some of this funding away, describing the expenditure as an example of mere symbolism from the government. Clare, $550,000, obviously, a lot of taxpayer money. Is there any way to reduce some of the cost of these ceremonies?

CLARE O’NEIL: Well, look Nat honestly, I think this is a huge distraction. The big problem facing the lives of our citizens at the moment is the cost of living and indeed, my portfolio of housing and our government is firmly focused on those two issues. That's what urgently is affecting the lives of people at home at the moment, and that's why we're so focused on it. I would just say, look, with all this stuff about you know Peter Dutton, we know he walked out of The Apology. He won't stand in front of the Aboriginal flag. Now he's saying, you know, he wants to make cuts to Welcome to Country ceremonies. I just think this has a meanness about it that's really not consistent with Australian values. We've got this beautiful, multicultural country because we're respectful and courteous to each other, and we respect each other's cultures and traditions, and that's what Welcome to Country ceremonies are about.

NATALIE BARR: Jane, is it mean to be talking about this?

JANE HUME: I don't think anyone could accuse Jacinta Nampijinpa Price of being mean or taking on culture wars unnecessarily. We have to remember that every dollar spent is $1 that another taxpayer has earned, at a time when closing the gap is a priority, and it's something that we have discussed this week, when indigenous health outcomes, educational outcomes, rates of incarceration are all our priorities. We have to question whether this amount on Welcome to Country ceremonies is the right use of taxpayer money. Now, they have their place occasionally, but whether it needs to be this amount, and this often is a question that I think Jacinda price will be following up.

NATALIE BARR: Is it a question to ask Clare? Because, as you say, people are focused on cost of living and when we find out that over half a million dollars is spent, do you think we could cut back a bit? I know it's been happening since 2008 in Federal Parliament.

CLARE O’NEIL: I’m listening to what Jane saying there, and I just say really politely to Jane, you know, her party's had three years to come up with a cost of living policy and their big idea for Australia is that they want to tax the people watching at home, the people in my electorate, to subsidise foie gras and fettuccine for the bosses, 10 billion a year. It's going to cost 10 billion Jane.

JANE HUME: Oh that’s such nonsense.

CLARE O’NEIL: 10 billion a year Jane.

JANE HUME: It’s not. You’re just lying Clare. That is a lie.

NATALIE BARR (INTERRUPTS): Just to keep people up to date you’re talking about businesses.

JANE HUME: We are talking about Welcome to Country ceremonies, we are not talking about coalition policies. How about you guys talk about your own policies. Standards of living have gone backwards under you.

CLARE O’NEIL (INTERRUPTS): Jane, 10 billion dollars subsidising the boss for lunch. If you’re concerned about the cost of living, I'd suggest focusing on the people at home and their concerns.

JANE HUME: People are poor because of Labor policies. Talk about that Clare.

NATALIE BARR: Okay, yeah, we might leave it there. But you are talking about Jane's policy. You are talking about giving, giving businesses tax breaks to go to lunch and we might talk about that different time, because there's, you know, pros and cons from both sides of that and we'll leave it there. Thank you very much.