JAYNE AZZOPARDI: Will there be a tax cut or won't there? Australians have been reading between the lines this week as the Albanese government appears to be debating the merit of going ahead with the promised stage three tax cuts. Let's bring in our Minister for Industry and Science, Ed Husic in Sydney and Nationals leader David Littleproud in Queensland. 

Good morning to you both. Ed, we'll start with you. How does your community feel about these tax cuts? Do you support going ahead with them or do you think they should be wound back?

ED HUSIC, MINISTER FOR INDUSTRY AND SCIENCE: I think it's been clear from a number of times this week we've expressed, Jayne, that the position hasn't changed to the government in terms of what's been said in the community. I always take on board what people are saying. I can't say that I've been inundated with views about it, but I think people also do appreciate that the world economy at the moment is a lot tougher and that what we're seeing, the impact of things like what's happening in Ukraine, the fact that we've got inflation, interest rates, an issue we've got to try and clean up and deal with, coming into government having an impact as well. 

We want to make sure that the things that people rely upon, things that they really value, that we can fund those, make sure that's there; cheaper medicine, better child care, for example, do that in a sustainable way.

JAYNE AZZOPARDI: So this is what I mean about Australians having to read between the lines, because you say our position hasn't changed and then you go and tell us all the things that mean we have to keep spending in check. So does this mean we will be getting a tax cut or we won't be?

ED HUSIC: I think it's important leading into the budget. This is our first budget, right, and people will be looking at what we're doing. We've taken a number of commitments to the election and we want to make sure that whatever we do is responsible, accountable, sustainable, longer term. And I think it is important to be upfront around that. 

We've, for example, had to look very carefully at areas where we can make savings and obviously the budget will detail that. But we've also announced things that will mean a lot. For example, cutting the cost of medicines. Now you've got to be able to pay for that and so finding the balance is really important.

JAYNE AZZOPARDI: All right, David, have you been reading between the lines here? What do you think that means?

DAVID LITTLEPROUD: Well, look, this has just become a saga. I suspect Ed probably knows. He wouldn't have wanted to make a name for himself. He probably could have let it slip today and put us all out of our misery. I think the Australian public are waiting with bated breath. There's nothing new in terms of the economic circumstances that we're facing up to. That was pretty clear. And these budget tax cuts The Labor Party supported when we put them in, let me make this clear that it's not for the big end of town, it's for those earning 45,000 to 200,000 a year. This is about putting money back in their pockets and government's responsibility is to pay for those services Ed said, childcare health, doctors, nurses. 

But invariably, once you've done that, the Coalition, and particularly the National parties always believe the Australian people know how best to spend their own money better than the government does. So the more you put back in there, the stronger your economy is. But I think it's important that the government comes clean. They just tell us this saga is going on. 

In fact, it's even tearing them apart. I mean, you've got Julian Hill coming out saying we shouldn't. And then you've got Meryl Swanson on the other side of the right of The Labor Party saying 'election promise is election promise.' And I'm with Meryl. I mean, people had a gutful of politicians going to election saying 'vote for me, vote for me. This is what I promise.' And then get in and don't deliver. There's nothing new in the circumstances. They knew what was ahead of them. Let's just give some truth and honesty to the Australian people. They voted for The Labor Party and I just hope that they live up to it because I think it's the right thing to do.

JAYNE AZZOPARDI: All right, let's move on to another issue, because it seems governments at least are very keen for the pandemic to be over. We're hearing this week that mandatory isolation is ending and now Victoria saying residents no longer need to report their positive COVID cases. David, is it the right time for this or is it rushed? What do you think?

DAVID LITTLEPROUD: No, totally. It's good on them. I think it's moved personal responsibility from public responsibility. We've all got a responsibility. If we're crook stay at home, it's just common sense. And if you are in the vulnerable category and you go out the public well wear a mask. This is where you take ownership of your own responsibilities. I think it's long overdue. 900 odd days that people have had government in their lives. 

I think this is a good move, good on Victorian government for doing this. And I hope other states, particularly New South Wales now, who I hear, can still fine people for not reporting a positive test. I mean, let's just show some common sense, let's get out of people's lives, let's learn to live with this in a responsible way where personal responsibility takes hold.

JAYNE AZZOPARDI: Ed, is he right? Should other states be joining Victoria in no longer making reporting positive RATs mandatory?

ED HUSIC: Well, I think the states will make their calls based on what they reckon is right for them. But I think the big thing has been and what's allowed us to get to this point, apart from the fact that there haven't been variants that have emerged recently, getting immunised, getting those vaccinations, has been really important and the community has pitched in overwhelmingly to make sure that they do the right thing. I do agree with David. There is an element of personal responsibility. It does come down to going and getting your boosters. Absolutely. And if you're not feeling well, please stay at home. 

And also, if you are concerned about wearing a mask, that's really important as well. These things will be crucial still, I think, in the months ahead, because you just don't know what's around the corner. But I think getting out of the emergency phase in the way that we have has been really important, too, and has been a huge step.

JAYNE AZZOPARDI: All right, Ed Husic and David Littleproud, thank you for your time this morning. Now let's head back to Dickie.

ENDS