Channel Nine News

Subjects: Newspoll, Peter Reith and Tony Abbott.

Transcript, E&OE

28 June 2011

BRETT McLEOD: Let's get the details in our top story now, and the Federal Government has reached a new low in the latest opinion poll. And for the first time, Tony Abbott is preferred Prime Minister over Julia Gillard. If there was an election held now the Coalition would win in a landslide. We're joined now by Trade Minister Dr Craig Emerson. Thank you for your time. These poll results are disastrous for the Government. Do you think Labor can bounce back?

CRAIG EMERSON: Well, we can because we're implementing a tough reform. Not only a reform for the environment, that is tackling climate change Brett, but a reform for the economy that will help make the transition to a lower-carbon future. And countries that refuse to do that will be left behind. So we're investing in the future, if you like, through this important reform.

But I will give Tony Abbott credit, and that is he's very good at stunts. He'd make Evil Kneivel look shy and retiring, a very timid man, because Mr Abbott is seeking to profit by a scare campaign and all the stunts that you see him on the news each night. The truth is we need to persist with this reform because it's in the long-term interests of the Australian people and keeping our economy strong.

McLEOD: We've sort of alluded there to the fact that the carbon tax is clearly a factor in these polls — it's not popular. Julia Gillard indicating today a deal mightn't be announced in early July as first mooted. Do you think when that price is announced it might have an effect on support for the Government and the tax?

EMERSON: I think it's still a long haul. Yes, details will be announced when they're ready to be announced and then Mr Abbott will have a stunt a day, running around on cars, trucks and horses and anything else that he can get on to. But I guess it's just going to be a continuation of a great debate.

But we're also seeing the emergence, Brett, of another debate — and that is Mr Peter Reith saying that Mr Abbott dudded him. You can't trust Mr Abbott. They entered into a private pact that they wouldn't talk about labour market reform, which is just code for bringing back the worst elements of WorkChoices, which Mr Reith supports and Mr Abbott supports.

They've said that they're soul brothers, that they're blood brothers on this. So there'll be another debate, too, and that is the trustworthiness or otherwise of Mr Abbott, who has entered into a secret agreement with Mr Reith and then didn't vote for him as the party president.

So that's why you've seen Mr Reith out there today basically saying they do need to talk about WorkChoices. Well, that's what the Australian people will hear a lot about and that's Tony Abbott's plan: to bring back WorkChoices. But he's said in the meantime he's not going to say too much about it. But you can be assured Mr Reith will.

McLEOD: All right, Craig Emerson for now, thanks for your time today.

EMERSON: Okay, thanks Brett.

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