Rates, inflation and tax combination hit Australian economy; Consultant replaces Scott Morrison as Liberal Party candidate in Cook
The treasurer was also on Nine’s Today program, where he spoke about comments the Malaysian prime minister made at the ASEAN summit being held in Melbourne.
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim urged Western nations not to pit South-East Asian nations against Beijing at the summit yesterday, arguing the country was independent.
“We’re realistic about the challenges in the region,” Treasurer Jim Chalmers told the program this morning, when asked about the comments.
“We know that this is an uncertain time in security terms, but also in economic terms. And we also know that our interests are best served by a region which is safe and secure and peaceful and prosperous,” he said.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim at a welcoming ceremony at Government House, Melbourne, on Monday.Credit: Joe Armao
He said it was important to have economic engagement and trade flowing with countries in the region.
“We think about our economic plan really as the three ‘Rs’; relief from cost of living pressures, repair of the budget and reform of our economy. But there’s a fourth ‘R’ as well. And that’s region,” he said.
“Because if we get the regional relationships right, we strengthen our regional economy, we strengthen our economy here in Australia too.”
The leaders of nine South-East Asian nations are in Melbourne for a special ASEAN-Australian summit, which will be dominated by discussion of the fierce competition between the United States and China for influence in the region.
