Hockey tells Kiwis there is no economic crisis in Australia
Treasurer Joe Hockey (AAP)
Treasurer Joe Hockey tells New Zealand there is no budget crisis in Australia. (AAP)- Treasurer Joe Hockey (AAP)
- Treasurer Joe Hockey (AAP)
- Treasurer Joe Hockey tells New Zealand there is no budget crisis in Australia. (AAP)
Treasurer Joe Hockey has contradicted the messaging of the Federal
Government after telling New Zealand it need not worry about its trading
partnership with Australia as the economy is not in crisis.
Joe Hockey has told New Zealand that there is no crisis in the Australian economy, nor is it in trouble.
The treasurer also made no mention of the "budget emergency" he and
his government referred to when justifying their unpopular budget to
Australians.
Instead, Mr Hockey reassured Kiwis that their second biggest trading
partner is benefiting from 23 years of consecutive economic growth.
"The Australian economy is not in trouble," he told New Zealand political current affairs show The Nation on Saturday.
Mr Hockey also denied drastic reforms to Australian healthcare, education and taxes were about ideological change.
He said his government's reforms were about continuing growth and stimulating other parts of the economy.
"There's no crisis at all in the Australian economy," the treasurer said.
"The fact is you need to move on the budget to fix it now, and you
need to undertake structural reform to structure the economy in the
years ahead."
Despite the changes, New Zealand has nothing to worry about in terms of its trading partnership with Australia, he said.
"We're like brothers and sisters. There might be a little competitive
tension in the family, but there's no doubt in my mind that, you know,
we're shared blood."
Hockey defends his 'tough decisions' budget
The Treasurer addressed the NSW Liberal Party state council general
meeting this morning, where he also praised the leadership shown by
Prime Minister Tony Abbott regarding the doomed Malaysia Airlines flight
MH17.
“It’s in moments of adversity that you want strength and the strength
displayed by the government reflects the inner strength of the
Australian people,” he said.
“… If there's a lesson to be learnt over the past few days, you must
always advocate for the values you hold. You never give up.”
Mr Hockey conceded that the first few months of government had been
challenging, but defended the criticism the party has faced in the past
nine months.
“No great achievements can be made without sacrifice,” he said.
Mr Hockey also defended the Abbott Government’s first federal budget, less than a week after revelations that he wanted far tougher cuts.
His authorised biography, released earlier this week, quoted sources
as stating that the Treasurer’s controversial budget measures were not
as strict as hoped.
Addressing the conference today, Mr Hockey said the economy would benefit from the cuts.
“We have made tough decisions in the budget, tough decisions that needed to be made,” he said.
“There is no easy path, but there is a dividend for the nation in doing it.”
The meeting coincides with the state’s Labor conference, where NSW Opposition Leader John Robertson is expected to speak.
