Even after getting brutally mugged by reality in his first fortnight of government, Anthony Albanese is still trying to act like an opposition leader when it suits him. Albanese’s entire campaign strategy was to play, not just a small target, but an invisible man. That included simply turning on his heel and walking away whenever he got asked difficult questions.
That’s just not going to cut it when you’re prime minister.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has refused to comment on the Reserve Bank’s surprise decision to hike interest rates when quizzed about it in Indonesia.
This is just the latest in a flurry of economic blows to hit Australians since Labor’s election, from spiralling cost-of-living increases to a full-blown energy crisis. Now, Australians are facing hundreds of dollars a month higher mortgage repayments.
The Reserve Bank of Australia has hiked the cash rate to 0.85 per cent, meaning the holder of an average mortgage will be forced to pay an extra $159 a month in interest on top of the already soaring cost of living.
The 0.50 per cent jump is the biggest rise in 22 years and comes after the Reserve Bank moved rates by 0.25 in may to curb spiraling inflation, which hit 5.1% in the first quarter.
Remember when Labor promised that they had a plan to fix all this? Suddenly, that’s as elusive as Albo’s memory for basic economic indicators.
But when the PM was questioned by media at a press conference in Indonesia, he point blank refused to answer any questions about the issues and passed the buck back to to Treasurer Jim Chalmers in Australia.
‘I said on day one, I will not be responding to domestic matters while overseas,’ Mr Albanese said.
‘I’ll leave that to [Treasurer] Jim Chalmers.’
He refused to take any more questions on the subject.
Daily Mail
Remember when Scott Morrison was pilloried for taking an overseas holiday during a bushfire crisis? Unlike bushfires, which are a state responsibility, Albanese is directly responsible for the economy. Fruit and vegetable prices have leaped 50% — KFC is even stopping putting lettuce on its burgers — petrol prices are over $2 a litre and energy costs had skyrocketed by 141%, with more shortages predicted.
Avoiding domestic issues by taking an overseas junket is an old Labor tactic, of course. It was Bob Hawke who first put it on, in the 80s. But when the country is a dumpster fire, it’s just not good enough.
Karl Stefanovic has slammed Anthony Albanese for refusing to comment on the major interest rate rise while overseas in Indonesia as Aussies struggle with the skyrocketing cost of living […]
Mr Stefanvoic said Mr Albanese’s refusal to answer was a dated response.
‘It’s the Bob Hawke defence. But that was back in the ’80s. Hawkey was going clubbing all night. I don’t think Anthony Albanese’s doing that,’ Stefanovic said.
‘Is that really going to cut it when Aussie pockets are burning?’ the host asked.
As opposition senator Matt Canavan responded, it’s not as if Albanese could possibly be unaware of what’s happening at home.
‘It’s not like he’s not getting reports. Is he waiting for a fax to come through or something about the Reserve Bank minutes?
‘I am sure he has a phone. He has access to email. He should be commenting.
‘He should be up to speed with these issues and in tune with what the needs are of the Australian people.’
The senator slammed the PM’s response as a ‘total cop-out’ and said he hoped the policy didn’t continue during his time as leader.
MSN
Dream on. Of course it’s going to continue. Albanese is already outright telling reporters that he’ll just refuse to answer questions if he doesn’t like their attitude.
If they keep insisting on asking tough questions, in other words.
