SIMON LAUDER: In federal politics, the Greens have offered the government support for its significant signature climate change legislation with a single condition that there'd be no new coal and gas projects approved for development by this government. And how is Australia helping with the disaster in Turkey and Syria with the earthquake there? The member for Gilmore is Fiona Phillips with the Labour Party. Good morning. Good morning. So it's heartbreaking to see what's happening in Turkey and Syria that the death toll climbing past 41,000 I've been wondering what Australia is doing to help.
FIONA PHILLIPS: Oh look at it's absolutely tragic. And we've all been watching that unfolding on TV. But look, the Australian Government provided an initial $10 million in humanitarian assistance. To those affected in Turkey, Australia will provide 7 million in life saving assistance. In Syria, Australia will provide 3 million through our long standing partner, the United Nations Children's Fund. And we've also deployed a disaster assistance response team. And that's a team of 72 personnel working on the ground to assist there.
SIMON LAUDER: OK, good to know, as there is a long tradition of Australia, chipping in to help in situations like this. Now, the federal government's signature climate change legislation has been offered support by the greens on the condition that there's no new coal and gas projects approved for development. What's your view on this negotiating tactic?
FIONA PHILLIPS: Well, I think the thing to remember here is that these reforms are the first chance in over a decade to implement climate action that gets us towards net zero. And it really has broad support across the economy and the community. So I think it's really up to the Greens now to decide if they want to vote with Peter Dutton for another decade of climate wars, just like they did in 2009. And we've got to remember that our legislation will reduce emissions by over 200 million tonnes. And that's the equivalent of taking two thirds of Australia's cars off the road, just between now and 2030. We've received a mandate at the election, I think, because quite honestly, people and Australians are sick of the climate wars, and want productive climate action that helps our economy.
SIMON LAUDER: The Greens, say new coal and gas projects will make the climate crisis worse. Do you agree?
FIONA PHILLIPS: Well, we've got a sensible plan. And our plan has been backed by business groups by big manufacturers, by the Australian public at the election. So this is the plan that we have. It's a sensible plan to get to net zero by 2050. And we need to go ahead with that plan.
SIMON LAUDER: And what's happening with the federal government's housing plan, there's also a bit of negotiation with the Coalition and the greens on this at the moment.
FIONA PHILLIPS: Yes, I spoke on the housing Australia Future Fund legislation yesterday in the parliament, we know it's a critical issue, right across our region and across Australia. Look, it's a $10 billion housing Australia Future Fund, which will be the single biggest investment from the federal government in social and affordable housing in more than a decade. It's about returns from that fund, to build 30,000 new social and affordable homes in the funds, first five years. And of course, we've seen Peter Dutton and the Liberals and the coalition come out against it. But we've got to remember that this is a fund that will fund homes for women fleeing domestic violence for older women at risk of homelessness, for veterans for frontline workers. So I don't think, I mean, most people would be appalled that any politician would try and stand in the way of more social and affordable housing. And, you know, this is legislation that will make a real difference to people's lives. So we'll continue to have those discussions, but it's absolutely essential. If we look at, for example, another Investment Corporation, the Clean Energy Finance Corporation, we've seen how well that has done in terms of generating renewable energy projects. The Housing Australia Future Fund and it is about setting us up for the future. And having that pipeline of affordable and social housing. We can't make up for the nine years that we've lost in this regard, but we can begin to do something about it now. So I would urge the coalition and the greens to support that.
SIMON LAUDER: And how concerned are you by what you what you're hearing? About the homelessness issue in Gilmore, particularly around North Head at Moruya. And just how fragile that whole setup is there with the campground there. A few people have been evicted by police because of antisocial behaviour. So clearly it's a pretty dire situation in Gilmore right now.
FIONA PHILLIPS: Oh, exactly. And I spoke about that in my speech yesterday, and people should not have to live at a campground. That's the bottom line. But the bottom line is we need to increase supply as affordable and social housing. As I said, we can't make up for the last nine years. But this Housing Australia Future Fund, is about building more affordable social housing, but not only just for next year, and the year after that, it's about setting it up for the future. So we have that pipeline coming through. So we are never left in this situation. Again, we should never have been in a situation where people have to camp at a campground. But people right across this community, our homelessness providers, the local council, everybody are doing their best to support people at the campground, but it's up to the federal government to take leadership on that. And that's what we're doing with this legislation in the parliament.
SIMON LAUDER: Did the Liberals have a good point, though, when they pointed out that this future fund would do little to address the housing issue? Right now it doesn't provide an immediate solution.
FIONA PHILLIPS: Well, we've already brought forward funding for this year, the $575 million until the housing Australia Future Fund is legislated through because we know how important it is to get that moving. It's interesting, you know, since we were elected, and obviously we've had this the policy that we're going to deliver. We've seen, I think renewed interest, particularly from superannuation, superannuation funds, institutional investors that want to get on board to build affordable social housing, I'll go back to the Clean Energy Finance Corporation, because it's a similar model. And it's actually delivered $11.7 billion in renewable energy projects and for every $1 $2.62 has been invested from private sector leverage. So you know, I think we need to think bigger, we need to think what we can actually do to have that pipeline and affordable and social housing moving into the future, so that it can help our community housing providers as well. We have to increase supply. We’ve also got the legislation there for the National Housing Supply and Affordability Council for the first time, bringing all the levels of government together, which will determine where those priorities are, but importantly, try and get our levels of government working better together, so we can address the crisis that we have.
SIMON LAUDER: And on inflation and interest rates. The Reserve Bank Governor Phillip Lowe faces a parliamentary committee today he's faced a bit of criticism over his management of inflation. How is the government handling these concerns around how all of that has been managed? And I guess questions over whether the Reserve Bank wields too much power?
FIONA PHILLIPS: Yeah, look, I think it's really important that the Reserve Bank is independent. And we certainly don't offer free advice on that or undermine the Reserve Bank's work. But having said that, you know, the RBA needs to do its own job. We're getting on with focusing on dealing with the huge inflation challenge in the economy that we have, and delivering responsible cost of living relief for Australians. I think that's what people would expect we do. Of course, the RBA governor will be answering questions before Senate estimates today. And certainly the government hasn't come to a view on the governor's reappointment later this year.
SIMON LAUDER: Thanks for joining us, Fiona Phillips, what else is happening around Gilmore.
FIONA PHILLIPS: Oh, there's lots look, I've just got to send a shout out. I was in the crowd for the brilliant rugby league match on Sunday. And what a sight that was to see so many people come from right across our region and afar, and I just want to thank obviously the Canberra Raiders, and the Bulldogs and everybody involved. I saw so many people enjoying themselves which was wonderful.
SIMON LAUDER: Yeah, it was great to see you Fiona Phillips, thanks so much for your time this morning.
FIONA PHILLIPS: Thank you.
SIMON LAUDER: That is the member for Gilmore, Fiona Phillips.
