CANBERRA, ACT, March 18 -- The Treasurer of Australia issued the following transcript:
Note
Subjects: economic consequences of the Middle East conflict, interest rates, fuel security and supply chains, the budget, speech to Australian Business Economists tomorrow, responsible economic management and savings, tax reform
Patricia Karvelas:
The Treasurer, Jim Chalmers, is my guest on the desk this afternoon. Welcome.
Jim Chalmers:
Thanks very much, Patricia.
Karvelas:
Treasurer, the government supported the war at the outset but as it goes on, it's clearly hurting Australians materially. We know that with fuel prices, with inflation. Could the economic cost outweigh your support for the war?
Chalmers:
Well, the economic costs are alr...