Senator the Hon Katy Gallagher

BRIDGET BRENNAN, HOST: Let’s go back to our top story this morning, we’ve got a close eye on the Middle East as Israel looks to be preparing to launch a ground invasion in Lebanon. Finance Minister Katy Gallagher joins us now from Parliament House. Katy Gallagher, a grave situation unfolding in Lebanon. Do we have a plan to evacuate citizens if it comes to it?

SENATOR THE HON KATY GALLAGHER, MINISTER FOR FINANCE:Morning. Thanks very much for having me on. Look, it is a very concerning situation in Lebanon and in the broader Middle East. Obviously, DFAT and the Government have been working hard over the last few months around contingency planning, so people should be assured that that work is being done. And of course our travel advice remains that if you can make your way out of Lebanon, you should. Register with DFAT, as well. And we are doing further planning on certainly managing and supporting Australian citizens who may be in Lebanon at the moment.

BRENNAN: The Israeli Government does not appear to be heeding the international calls for it to pull back from this ground offensive and to agree to a ceasefire. What message is Australia sending to Israel at the moment?

GALLAGHER: Well, last week you saw that Australia, along with a number of other nations including the US and the UK, the European Union, had issued a statement which called for a ceasefire for further humanitarian assistance, which Australia is providing to Lebanon. And you know, certainly calling for de-escalation of the conflict in the Middle East. So, that remains our message, that remains our message to Israel. We don’t want to see the loss of life that we have been seeing in the Middle East over the past year, particularly in Gaza but now in Lebanon as well.

BRENNAN: The Opposition leader is calling on the Government to recall Parliament to give the AFP powers to arrest people who held the Hezbollah flags at protests over the weekend. Is this a feasible move, is this something you’d consider?

GALLAGHER: Well, I think the Leader of the Opposition knows that the police are – and have indicated they are – investigating the matters on the weekend, including the raising of those flags of a listed terrorist organisation. It is appropriate and in this country we do have law enforcement agencies that actually undertake the investigation. The investigation is not undertaken by the Leader of the Opposition. Parliament is sitting next week. I think the Leader of the Opposition understands what he’s doing here, which is trying to raise and create further division at a moment where people are feeling extremely concerned about what’s happening in the Middle East. You know, obviously, holding those flags of a listed terrorist organisation is absolutely inappropriate and it is absolutely appropriate that the police investigate that matter.

BRENNAN: Hope you don’t mind me zipping through a few issues, because it is a busy day – let’s talk about supermarkets and allegations of price increases and gouging and that sort of thing. The ACCC is being given an additional $30 million. What will this enable it to do?

GALLAGHER: Well, we’re very deadly serious about making sure that supermarkets are doing the right thing and I think people are really concerned about some of the reports about the way that discounting was going on – and the allegations that are now being further investigated – by Coles and Woolworths. We’re looking at every step we can take to make sure that supermarkets are doing the right thing and getting a better deal for shoppers and these extra resources will allow the ACCC to do that important work. They’re the trusted cop on the beat when it comes to that. We know that they can take enforcement action and additional resources will allow them to do that. But this is a real message to the supermarkets, that we are concerned and we are prepared to lean in and do whatever we need to do to make sure shoppers get a better deal.

BRENNAN: And let’s talk about airlines now – gee, we’re getting through a lot this morning, Katy Gallagher, bear with me – Virgin Australia, news that Qatar Airways will go for a 25 per cent stake in that airline. Is that likely to gain approval?

GALLAGHER: Well, there are processes that need to be undertaken around that, so that is really – it’s not a matter for me. I mean, that’ll fall on the lap of the Minister for Infrastructure and I imagine to some degree the Treasurer. So I really don’t have any comment further to make on that. We do have processes in place to consider those kinds of arrangements.

BRENNAN: Could it shore up one of our major carriers, though?

GALLAGHER: Sorry, Bridget, I just missed that.

BRENNAN: Could it shore up one of our major carriers at a time of uncertainty for travellers?

GALLAGHER: Well, obviously we need to have both Virgin and Qantas continue to perform strongly. I mean, we’re looking to increase and look at how we can support further competition in the airline industry. So you know, the government has that and we’ve got our White Paper on aviation out as well, which sets the direction that we want to see followed. But these matters are appropriately dealt with through the standard process around those arrangements.

BRENNAN: Katy Gallagher, thanks for your time, have a good day.

GALLAGHER: Thanks very much, Bridget.