Tensions were high during Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s interview with Sky host Peter Stefanovic, as an exasperated Albanese said the interview would not get anywhere if he kept being interrupted.
Stefanovic asked if the government would change course on negative gearing and capital gains tax changes like he did with stage 3 tax cuts, Albanese defended the policy.
Albanese: “No Pete, what we did with our income tax changes was to deliver a tax cut for every Australian,” Albanese said.
Stefanovic (interrupting): “Yeah but you lied doing it, you were deceptive doing that.”
Albanese: “Guess what Pete, well if I did, so did Peter Dutton, because they voted for it”.
Stefanovic: “But might you be lying again on this [negative gearing and capital gains tax]?”
Albanese: “No, and I don’t accept the premise of your question Peter. What happened, very clearly, was that there was a massive change in circumstances and we had a cost of living crisis that hopefully you’ve noticed, and we needed to deal with that by putting that downward pressure on inflation.”
Asked to respond to “the current issue” of negative gearing and capital gains tax, would Albanese change his mind, the prime minister interrupted.
Albanese: “It’s not a current issue.”
Stefanovic: “Well it certainly is, it’s on the front page of every paper at the moment.”
Albanese: “That doesn’t mean it’s real, that doesn’t mean it’s real.”
Asked again if negative gearing and capital gains tax could change, the prime minister refused to say.
Albanese: “Well if you ask the same question Peter, you get the same response to it.”
Stefanovic: “Well I’m not getting a response to it, so can I ask again.”
Albanese: “Yes you are, you’re not listening Peter. You’ve already asked it and I’ve already answered it.”
Stefanovic: “But could plans change?”
Raising his voice, Albanese began to answer but stopped himself and lowered his voice.
Albanese: “If you want to keep interrupting me, then this won’t be – we won’t be getting anywhere”.