E&OE TRANSCRIPT 
TV INTERVIEW  
CHANNEL 7
MONDAY, 3 AUGUST 2026 

Topics: Polling; housing; 5% deposits

NATALIE BARR: Let’s bring in Social Services Minister Tanya Plibersek and Nationals leader Matt Canavan. Morning to both of you. Tanya, the Coalition has made ground and now you are behind them on a two-party preferred basis according to this poll. What's the government's plan to regain that ground?

TANYA PLIBERSEK, MINISTER FOR SOCIAL SERVICES: Well, our plan is to keep focusing on what makes the biggest difference to Australians lives. We've got one tax cut this year, there's another one coming next year. We back higher wages, we're investing in our health system, in hospitals, making it easier to see a GP bulk billed, cheaper medicines. We're making sure that people can afford a home of their own, helping first home buyers into the housing market. We're 100% focused on what makes a difference to people's lives. Now Coalition parties, One Nation, they'll be out there campaigning slogans, no plans for the future. We're absolutely focused on delivering to make people's lives easier, real solutions.

BARR: Yeah, it seems to be going One Nation and the Coalition's way at the moment. Matt, you must be happy about this. The Coalition has ruled out governing with One Nation though, but when you see a big increase in your two-party preferred vote, does that mean a preference deal with One Nation could be on the cards?

MATT CANAVAN: Look now, I think things are just very volatile at the moment. That's understandable because under this government we've had the biggest reduction in living standards in the developed world since COVID. So, people are very frustrated and they're looking again at all political parties, including ourselves. It's a real challenge for ourselves. That's why I was out there last week working very hard with Angus Taylor. We travelled from Rockhampton to Logan selling our plan for lower taxes, lower energy prices and lower migration. All things the Australian people want, and if we do all those things we'll have and restore those higher living standards. In terms of One Nation, look, I'm willing to cooperate with anyone to get rid of this terrible government because I believe the Australian people want change. I want change. But there's just no real prospect of us having a coalition because One Nation will be competing with us. They're going to run against us, they're going to run in all of our seats. I want to keep the good hard-working members of the Liberal and National parties, as leader of the Nationals Party, we've got great hard-working members. I'll be spending time with Llew O’Brien here in Rockhampton today with Michelle Landry on a men and boys forum. Big issue around the challenges facing young men and young boys that's all I'll focus on doing. Just keep working hard for the Australian people. They'll have their say, hopefully sooner rather than later.

BARR: What does cooperating mean? Would you do a preference deal with One Nation? Because they are roaring up the charts. Look at that primary vote. 31 per cent, Labor 29. You guys are 22. Could you get into government by giving your preferences to them? By them giving their preferences to you?

CANAVAN: I'd encourage all people to put the Labor Party down the bottom of their ballot given their performance, a shocking economic performance. This country, particularly given the resources we've got, in the last four elections we have exchanged preferences with One Nation, that will be something to discuss.

BARR: And will you do that again?

CANAVAN: Well, it's got to be two-way street, Nat. It's not just my, my decision on that. You know, I want to change the government. So, we'll do everything I can to change and kick out this government. And that will of course be working with other political parties, not just One Nation, as I say, to put the Labor Party last. They deserve to go last [inaudible].

BARR: Could you do it with One Nation? Could you get government with One Nation? Could you, could you gain government with One Nation?

CANAVAN: I don’t know. I just want to change the government, Nat. I'd love to see a majority of Liberal and National members elected around the country. But as I say, the most important thing I think on the minds of the Australian people is we need change. The government's not offering that. They continue to double down on a failed energy policy which has led to Australia having some of the highest energy prices in the world. They're continuing their wasteful spending as we say today, with a blowout, lower blowout.

MINISTER PLIBERSEK: Lower wholesale prices.

CANAVAN: Well, that doesn't mean anything for people, Tanya. People pay a retail price if you haven't worked it out yet. And they're through the roof. They're absolutely through the roof.

MINISTER PLIBERSEK: And in fact, homes and businesses are getting those discounts now. And you know they are [inaudible].

CANAVAN: Well, okay, yeah, keep telling people that. Keep telling people. It's not what I'm hearing.

BARR: Let's talk about homes.

MINISTER PLIBERSEK: Listen, I think. Nat. Just a second, Nat. What's really interesting about what Matt just said is yes, they will govern in coalition with One Nation. So, a vote for the Liberals and Nationals is a vote for One Nation--

CANAVAN: I actually said we wouldn't.

MINISTER PLIBERSEK: --and a vote for One Nation is a vote for the Coalition.

CANAVAN: This is why people don't trust you anymore, Tanya. You're lying, you just tell lies all the time.

MINISTER PLIBERSEK: Just be clear about it.

BARR: Well, you didn't rule out doing a preference deal.

MINISTER PLIBERSEK: You just said--

CANAVAN: We're lying to the Australian people now. You're lying about what I said.

BARR: You didn't rule out doing a preference deal with them.

MINISTER PLIBERSEK: He said they're doing the preference deal.

CANAVAN: You said coalition, Tanya. I said I wouldn't. We wouldn't be doing that.

MINISTER PLIBERSEK: He just said that. Yeah. And you just said you'd be doing a preference deal. So, that means that a vote for the Coalition is a vote for One Nation.

CANAVAN: That's not what you said.

MINISTER PLIBERSEK: A vote for One Nation is a vote for the Coalition.

BARR: Yeah. Okay, let's move on to property because this is a big one. The property downturn has well and truly gone national now. Values falling again in July. Major cities, Brisbane and Adelaide now joining Sydney and Melbourne with major falls. Tanya, you wanted to cool this market with your budget. Are you happy with what you're seeing right now?

MINISTER PLIBERSEK: There's never been a better time to be a first-time buyer. Not in my lifetime has there been a better time to be a first homebuyer in Australia. I'm so happy to see more than 260,000 individuals and couples have made use of our 5% deposit. That means probably a quarter of a million households or more that would not be in a home of their own if it wasn't for the backing that we're giving first home buyers. But we're also investing in affordable rental and affordable community housing and social housing. We're investing in a way that makes life easier for people who want to buy a home of their own. That is the great Australian dream. And I'm so proud to be part of a government that is helping a generation of first home buyers into the housing market.

BARR: Tanya, is there a problem here that the top end of the market is going down? You know, Sydney, Melbourne and now Brisbane is falling. That that first homeowner market across the country is actually going up a bit. Is that what you wanted?

MINISTER PLIBERSEK: Well, we want people in a home of their own. And that's what we're seeing. We're seeing at auctions right across Australia first home buyers bidding for a home of their own and I think that is fantastic. You know how hard it is to save a 20 per cent deposit if you're paying rent in Sydney? It was impossible. We were locking people out of the housing market. Now they've got a shot at doing what their parents and their grandparents took for granted. I think that's amazing. And I think there's a generation of young Australians who are feeling this enormous sense of relief because they thought they were going to be renting forever. They're feeling like it's possible for them now to afford a home of their own. I think that is really important, not just for those individuals, but for our cohesion as a nation. Like, we made a promise to Australians that if they work hard and they save, they'll be able to afford a home of their own. We're keeping that promise.

BARR: And now the market's going down.

MINISTER PLIBERSEK: As a government we're keeping that promise. Well, you know Nat, you know what?

BARR: That was the aim.

MINISTER PLIBERSEK: You're talking about tiny movement. You're talking about. No, wait, you're talking about tiny movements that are interest rates than anything else.

CANAVAN: They're going to destroy the 5% equity.

MINISTER PLIBERSEK: And oh, oh, you are really. Take a deep breath. You know, people buy a house--

CANAVAN: Well they have.

MINISTER PLIBERSEK: They keep it for seven years, 10 years, for 30 years. You know what? If you're a first home buyer, this is the time that finally we have kept our promise to you as a nation that you will have a piece of our prosperity as a nation.

CANAVAN: But Tanya, you've just said. Tanya just said it's never been a better time to be a first home buyer.

MINISTER PLIBERSEK: Not in my lifetime.

CANAVAN: I mean, I think we're kind of starting to pinpoint. We're starting to pinpoint exactly why this government is so out of touch with people. Because that's not what I hear from young people. Inflation is through the roof.

MINISTER PLIBERSEK: Yeah, to help first homeowners. That's what we're doing.

CANAVAN: Hang on. Inflation is the highest in the developed world. Our interest rates have been the highest in the developed world. Great Britain have just overtaken us briefly. How in the hell can you sit there and say this is the best time to be a first home buyer? Economic conditions are very tough for people.

MINISTER PLIBERSEK: Growth is strong. Unemployment's low.

CANAVAN: Houses aren't even selling. No one benefits first home buyers. No one benefits if no homes are being sold or very few are being sold, first home buyers included. We have a lack of confidence in the property market, a lack of confidence in this government's economic performance in the Australian people. And that's why it's tough for all Australians, including young Australians, who want to own their own home.

BARR: Okay, look, I think we'll leave it there. Thank you very much. Both had your say. We'll see you next week.

Ends