JIM CHALMERS MP
SHADOW TREASURER
MEMBER FOR RANKIN
E&OE TRANSCRIPT
RADIO INTERVIEW
BUSINESS 101, 101FM LOGAN
MONDAY, 16 AUGUST 2021
SUBJECT: Labor’s $300 vaccination incentive
NICKI ‘COACH’ CHRISTENSEN, HOST: On the line we have Jim Chalmers, of course he's the Shadow Treasurer and Member for Rankin. Good evening, Jim.
JIM CHALMERS, SHADOW TREASURER: G'day Coach, how are you doing?
‘COACH’: Well, thank you. I've got a question for you because something that really interested me in the media last week was about your comment on paying for people that get jabbed. Now I know Logan City's got one of the lowest vaccination rates currently. And you said in the media, look let's pay people to get the job because it'll get the rates up, but the thing that interested me was you were saying that it's good for small business. Do you want to explain that to me?
CHALMERS: Absolutely, Nicki. One of the reasons why we think this is a good idea is because it'll be something which would help get those vaccination rates up but it would also be a real shot in the arm for local small businesses in communities like ours. It would do both of those things at once. People get vaccinated for all kinds of different reasons. We think that this is a way to reward them when they do, but also make sure that we've got more of that money flowing through the shops, and small businesses, and local communities who desperately need it. Not just in locked-down parts of Australia, but right around the country.
‘COACH’: That makes so much sense. And there's not much more you can say about that is there? Just it's Captain Obvious, it makes a lot of sense, if people have folding they're going to put it across the counter at their local shop when they get it.
CHALMERS: Yeah. And you would have seen Nicki in your own business and all the people that we speak to in our local community, it makes a real difference. What might seem like a relatively modest payment, it all adds up when a whole community has access to a little bit of extra cash. When the economy is doing it especially tough, as it is right now, it makes a really big difference. I've lost count of the amount of small business people who've stopped me in the street to say any little bit helps. We're going through a rough patch right now, if you can help us out, let's do it. So that's why we put this idea forward.
‘COACH’: And it's a great idea too. How quickly do you think something like that can be implemented? Is there quick delivery methods to do it through the ATO or through Services Australia? How is it done?
CHALMERS: Either of those things, Nicki, would work. We said to the Government, let's get our heads together as soon as possible and see if we can implement this in a matter of weeks rather than months. Try and work out which is the better way, the Tax Office or Services Australia. It doesn't matter to us in particular, as long as we can get that money out the door circulating in local economies and local communities. It shouldn't be beyond us. We've done a whole lot together last 18 months or two years to try and deal with the harsh effects of this virus. So in the spirit of cooperation and collaboration, the Opposition in Canberra and the Government in Canberra should be able to get their heads together and agree this, and fix it, and get it out the door.
‘COACH’: Jim, I like the sound of that. It makes a lot of sense. And I wish you were in Government right now because that would be happening. Well done.
CHALMERS: Thanks very much, Nicki.
‘COACH’: Thanks for your time.
CHALMERS: All the best.
ENDS
