Victorian Liberal leader Jess Wilson has deflected questions over whether the spending commitments pledged by the Victorian Coalition would push the budget past its breaking point.
What happened: Speaking with veteran journalist Neil Mitchell on the latest episode of the Mitchell Unlimited podcast, Wilson repeatedly promised a Coalition government would be open, disciplined and responsible, but would not deny her party’s policies could be inflationary.
Wilson has been cautious with media in the run up to the November 28 election, having delayed a commitment to a leader’s debate between herself, Premier Ben Carroll, and Victoria One Nation leader Warren Pickering.
Wilson also faced criticism earlier this week for responding to only four minutes of questions from journalists at a press conference before leaving.
Friday’s thirty-minute interview with Mitchell is one of the most direct media appearances the Opposition leader has agreed to.
Balancing the budget: Currently serving as the Shadow Treasurer, Wilson told Mitchell that, if elected, she would serve as Treasurer as well as Premier until a budget update is delivered within the first 100 days of government.
Wilson would not say if she would stay in the job of Treasurer beyond that point, saying “there’s always possibilities”.
When asked if it was “unlikely”, Wilson said: “We’ll see what happens”.
Public service cuts: Wilson pointed to the state’s growing interest bill as responsible for “cannibalising the state budget”, and said the party’s overall goal includes savings of $24.8 billion over the next decade, including a $22 billion hiring freeze targeting administrative public service roles.
Going up? When asked if her own spending promises would be considered inflationary Wilson said it “delivers real opportunity for growth in this state”.
“Do you deny that the spending that you are promising is inflationary?” asked Mitchell.
“I think that it delivers real opportunity for growth in this state,” Wilson responded.
Wilson argued a Coalition government would deliver the “productivity that this state needs” and “get this state moving”.
Mitchell reiterated the question four more times, with Wilson answering it would be “important spending” and “spending that will deliver for Victorians”.
“We’re focused on how do we make sure that we’re delivering spending that meets the needs of Victorians,” said Wilson. “Whether that's fixing our roads, whether that’s delivering healthcare services… this is important spending and its spending that will deliver for Victorians.”
“And it won’t be inflationary?” asked Mitchell.
Wilson responded: “As I said, we’re focused on how do we make sure that we deliver dividends on that spending.”
Before finally, Mitchell asked: “But do we have to accept that to get these dividends we run the risk of being inflationary?”
Wilson replied: “Well, I think there’s a difference between spending that delivers dividends, that makes sure that we’re delivering essential services, and the cost blowouts that we have seen from this Labor government.”
Leadership challenge: Mitchell pushed Wilson to explain why the Victorian people should trust her as a leader following infighting and a total of seven leadership changes over the past 12 years.
The member for Kew described her team as “united” and “focused”, and highlighted allegations of corruption in the Labor Party, as well as Big Build cost blowouts and mismanagement of the state’s finances.
🗣️ “I believe Australians deserve truth from their politicians,” she said. “That doesn't mean it's always going to be comfortable for the politician.”
No deals: Wilson said she was steadfast in her belief that the Coalition would be able to govern without negotiating with One Nation and said she had not held talks with the party.
Pollsters like Redbridge’s Kos Samaras have said many of the battles for lower house seats would be “three-way contests” as speculation increases that One Nation may hold the balance of power in a hung parliament.
Abortion access: Last month, the Coalition matched the Labor government's $30 million pledge to make medical and surgical abortions up to 16 weeks' gestation free.
When Mitchell asked Wilson if she believed this commitment would increase the number of abortions carried out across the state, she said: “I don’t believe so”.
🗣️ “This is about making sure the people get access to the healthcare they need where they need it,” she said.
Thumbnail Image Credit: Mitchell Unlimited