Well, dissent in the ranks of the Liberal Party this morning, with Senator Alex Antic pleading with Liberal leader Angus Taylor to make peace with One Nation. The comments follow Taylor’s attack on Pauline Hanson earlier in the week, stating that her party would create an eternity of pain for Australians.
For more, let’s bring in today’s talkers: Liberal Senator Paul Scarr and Sarah Marie Cameron from 3AW. Good morning to you both.
I’ll start with you, Paul. Which side of the fence are you on? Do you agree with Alex? Should Angus Taylor stop these attacks?
PAUL SCARR:
I 100% agree with Angus Taylor. I think he was absolutely correct to call out One Nation’s wacky economic policies, which would send Australia broke. As One Nation increases in the polls, you’re going to see more and more scrutiny of their policies. The democratic process works when parties are held to account for their policies, and we need to have this debate for the Australian people.
HOST:
But, Paul, don’t you guys need One Nation if you have any chance of forming government?
PAUL SCARR:
What we need to do is set out our alternative policies, which we’re doing, and Angus did a great job of that in the Budget Reply Speech, and hold Labor to account. But we’ve also got an obligation to hold One Nation to account. They have wacky economic policies that would send Australia broke, and the Australian people have a right to hear that and understand it.
HOST:
Okay, Sarah Marie, what do you think? Should Taylor give in and form a coalition with One Nation?
SARAH MARIE CAMERON:
I don’t think “give in” is the right wording that we should be using right now. More than anything, every single politician needs to be unbelievably clear in their messaging. You’re looking at the polls and at people who are supporting Pauline Hanson and One Nation. I don’t know about you, but I’m noticing that the recurring theme seems to be that everything she says is clear. People are able to understand what she’s saying. Her message points are clear, and they have been the same for decades.
A lot of the people jumping on the One Nation bandwagon are saying they know where she stands and what she’s saying. So it doesn’t matter if you’re Liberal or Labor—you need to be clear and concise. But I also agree that we need to keep their policies at the forefront of our minds, and politicians need to call each other out. If they’ve got a problem with a policy, they need to stipulate that.
HOST:
She certainly has momentum, and that momentum is only building.
Moving on, grocery prices are hitting consumers hard amid the cost-of-living crisis. Since 2023, the price of flour has jumped 119%, dark chocolate 75%, and instant coffee has soared by 73%.
Now, Paul, you’re a high-flying Liberal senator. Do you do the shopping in your house? Are you feeling the pressure in your pocket?
PAUL SCARR:
Look, I help out with the shopping when I can, but there are so many people struggling in Australia at the moment. I’m hearing from food banks in my local region that they’re seeing people they’ve never seen before. These are people who have jobs but still can’t make ends meet because it’s not just grocery prices. Interest rates are through the roof, and people are spending thousands and thousands of dollars more each year on their mortgages. Rents are up, electricity prices are up, so people are really struggling.
HOST:
Yes, power prices really are hurting us as well. Sarah Marie, there’s got to be a breaking point here. This can’t keep happening.
SARAH MARIE CAMERON:
I know, and people are just utterly frustrated. We keep looking at the profit margins of these major companies as well, and there’s a part of me that wonders how much we’re paying for convenience.
If I think about how my parents shopped when I was a child, compared with now, we’ve found ourselves wandering all the aisles and thinking, “We’re just going to get everything at the supermarket.” I think there needs to be a return to going to the butcher and going to the market.
I was having a conversation with someone on a flight back into Melbourne last night about how much I love going to the markets around Melbourne—and I mean the suburban markets. I’m talking about Dandenong Market, a place I love for getting my fruit and vegetables. I live in Melbourne’s western suburbs, and I’m going directly to farms to pick up my eggs these days because it’s far cheaper than what I’m able to get at the supermarket.
Unfortunately, that’s a privilege in itself. I’m travelling kilometres to try to bring down my grocery bill.
HOST:
Yes, if you’ve got the time, it certainly pays to invest in finding a bargain.
Now, we’ve got some good news here on Today. Divorce rates have fallen to their lowest level in half a century. What is going on, Paul Scarr?
PAUL SCARR:
Well, the first thing I want to say, Lizzie, is that I want to apologise to my wife for snoring last night. It was so bad she had to go into the other bedroom. But I’m going to make it up to her—I’ve got a beautiful wedding anniversary present for her. I think we all have to work hard on our relationships every single day.
HOST:
Yes, you’re back in the good books, I’m sure.
Sarah Marie, do you think it’s a case of people just becoming a bit more picky when choosing a partner?
SARAH MARIE CAMERON:
I’ve definitely noticed that in my friendship circles as well. Some people are marrying a little later in life, or perhaps they’re in their second marriage and that’s the one that’s working for them.
We also need to acknowledge that, culturally, there’s been a significant generational shift. Some people partner for life without getting married, so there’s a lot of change there. We’re not feeling the same pressure from cultural or religious expectations to get married. People are waiting a little longer.
Some people might wait too long, you could argue. I thankfully have a ring on my finger, and I’m very happily married to my husband. We recently celebrated our third wedding anniversary.
I love seeing this data. It’s fantastic because, as we know, a couple of years ago there was a rise in divorce rates, and there were a multitude of factors that contributed to that. At the end of the day, we want people to be in loving and supportive relationships, and I love seeing this data.
HOST:
We do. And you know, I’ve got the secret to not getting divorced—not getting married.
We’ll have to leave it there. And a very happy anniversary to Mrs Scarr. I’m sure you’re watching.
