Wednesday 8 June 2022 12:16 AM Karl Stefanovic slams Anthony Albanese for refusing to comment on interest rate ... trends now
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.
When Mr Albanese was questioned by media at a press conference in Indonesia on Monday, he point blank refused to answer any questions about the rise.
'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.'
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 his guests, Queensland senator Matt Canavan and 2GB Radio's Chris Smith.
'Is that really going to cut it when Aussie pockets are burning?' Stefanovic asked his guests, Queensland senator Matt Canavan and 2GB Radio's Chris Smith
'I think that's ridiculous, Karl. We live in a connected world where we can do these sort of crosses from anywhere in the world,' Mr Canavan replied.
'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.
Stefanovic agreed that Mr Albanese appeared to be 'ducking questions' on the 0.50 per cent jump from the Reserve Bank of Australia, no matter what kind of rationale was behind it.
Smith added his lack of comment on the biggest rise in 22 years was 'rubbish' and said the crisis was hitting 'everyone's back pocket right now'.
Mr Albanese has returned from his first trip to Indonesia as prime minister, bringing with him the chief executives of some of Australia's largest companies.
The leader pledged on Monday night to put trade and investment with the southeast Asian country at the heart of Australia's regional and international agenda.
However, he had less to say about the Reserve Bank's decision to hike interest rates.
The 0.50 per cent jump comes after the Reserve Bank moved rates by 0.25 in May to curb spiralling inflation,
