Murray Watt’s plea to colleagues to stop leaks, undermining Treasurer Jim Chalmers
Senior Albanese government minister Murray Watt has called on colleagues to stop undermining Treasurer Jim Chalmers, praising his fellow Queenslander’s record and reminding Labor MPs to “work together”.
Senior Albanese government minister Murray Watt has called on colleagues to stop undermining Treasurer Jim Chalmers, praising his fellow Queenslander’s record and reminding Labor MPs to “work together”.
Over recent weeks reports have emerged of growing tensions between Dr Chalmers and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, with suggestions the Treasurer could be eventually replaced in a frontbench reshuffle.
Asked by The Nightly whether he’d “like to see an end to the undermining and leaking against your Treasurer?”, the environment minister and senior left faction member responded: “Yes, I would”.
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By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.“As a member of the government, I take seriously the responsibility to work together to support government policies and also to get our work to support each other in what are very difficult times.”
Senator Watt, who is in Canberra for budget meetings with cabinet colleagues, including Dr Chalmers, was then pressed on if he was confirming that the Treasurer was being undermined from his own side.
“It’s pretty obvious that there are all sorts of people making all sorts of comments,” the senior Albanese government minister responded.
“My view is that whether you’re a member of the government as a backbench or as a minister, your responsibility is to work together to be travelling as well as it possibly can be, and to ensure that Australians know the choice that’s available between a Labor government focusing on Australians’ needs and a One-Nation Liberal coalition that would actually make matters worse for Australians.”
