Senator the Hon Katy Gallagher

SENATOR THE HON KATY GALLAGHER, MINISTER FOR FINANCE: Okay, so we're nearing the end of the three days. It's been a really great three days covering a lot of issues from housing to technology and artificial intelligence, to government efficiency, how we provide services. Tax, of course, which is the subject of discussion this afternoon. But I think, you know, we'll have more work to do post this Roundtable, but it's been very useful for us to have that time to talk and for people to contribute. Not necessarily just in their own area of expertise, but across the board on some of these big national challenges.

JOURNALIST: What is the kind of timeline on these reforms? Treasurer Chalmers said obviously it now has to go through Cabinet. And some of these are going to be longer term reforms. When do you expect you'll be able to start introducing some of the things that have been discussed over the last couple of days?

GALLAGHER: Well, I think we'll wait till Jim pulls it all together this afternoon. He's going to do that across the three days. But I would think, subject to our Cabinet processes, there are things that we can move reasonably quickly on, and then they're things that will take a bit longer, so it will be a mix.

JOURNALIST: Are we talking weeks, or-

GALLAGHER: Well there's some there's some stuff, for example, in my patch, where people are interested in data and how we use data and how we make data available, that might be subject to legislation. So that would take longer than perhaps putting some extra data sets on data.gov.au. I just give you that as an example, but it's across the board.

JOURNALIST: With these discussions, always lively. I know we heard of a bit of a awkward run in between the Treasurer and Ted O'Brien. Were you there? What happened?

GALLAGHER: Yes, I was there. Look, I don't think it was awkward, not for politicians anyway. We're sort of used to engaging with each other that way. But, you know, Ted said a few things. Some of them weren't correct, and the Treasurer sought the opportunity to correct them before moving on. It was very quick.

JOURNALIST: Sally McManus seems to think it was a bit awkward.

GALLAGHER: Well, look, the Roundtable hadn't been operating that way. It hadn't been a place for politics. It had been a place for genuine problem solving, and, you know, a respectful dialogue. And you know, we had a momentary lapse when Ted said a few things that you know needed to be responded to, but was responded to carefully, and we moved on.

JOURNALIST: I guess that's a sign of how good these discussions are, right, to be lively, to have, I guess, a sort of wide range of views on many things?

GALLAGHER: Well, there is a mix. I mean, you know, there is a mix. It's not a room full of politicians, so people, you know, the meeting has been very respectful. People have waited and listened, and you know, you have more time listening than speaking in that meeting because of the number of people. But yeah, I think it's been very genuine, and people have a different view. The ACTU has a different view to some of the business leaders on a range of matters. But that doesn't mean they haven't or they've stopped looking for areas of cooperation.

JOURNALIST: Can I ask you about Benjamin Netanyahu’s comments overnight saying that Anthony Albanese has tarnished his legacy with this position on Palestinian statehood, and the denial of visas for Israeli politicians? What did you make of those comments?

GALLAGHER: Look I think we've been focused on making decisions in our national interest in line with the foreign policy decisions of this government. And you know-

JOURNALIST: Are they helpful, though, that constant tit for tat?

GALLAGHER: Well, we can't be responsible for another Prime Minister from another country's comments about us or about our Prime Minister. What we are responsible for is the decisions and the remarks that we take as a government. We've made those positions clear. Those positions have been relayed to the Israeli Government. They obviously don't agree. How they choose to respond is a matter for them, but we're focused on the right decisions being made here.

JOURNALIST: How have they been relayed to the Israeli Government?

GALLAGHER: Well, the decision, for example, to recognise Palestinian statehood was relayed directly from Prime Minister to Prime Minister-

JOURNALIST: Okay, so, there hasn’t been anything relayed since-

GALLAGHER: Oh, well no, I meant that when we took a decision, those decisions are relayed in normal diplomatic channels.

JOURNALIST: But he’s doubled down on that jab that Albanese has been weak. Has he been weak?

GALLAGHER: Well, I work for the Prime Minister and I work closely with him, and that is the last word that I would use to describe our Prime Minister. He is principled, he is strong, he is thoughtful. He takes time to make decisions. And I think the world could do with lots of leaders like him. Thank you.