Monday 23rd of December 2024

a champion of the poor .....

a chamption of the poor .....

Joe Hockey is doing an “inspirational” job as Treasurer and has long been standing up for low-income earners, Education Minister Christopher Pyne says.

Mr Hockey is reportedly facing internal criticism over his suggestions poor people do not have cars and some colleagues are questioning his ability to sell the budget.

But Mr Pyne says his frontbench colleague has the full support of the party and is doing a “fantastic” job as Treasurer.

“I’m not going to cop any criticism of Joe Hockey on these remarks,” the senior Coalition MP told the Nine Network on Friday.

“He is doing an inspirational job.”

Mr Pyne said Mr Hockey’s track record, including helping to abolish the carbon tax, was proof he championed the cause of low-income workers to reduce their cost of living pressures.

“Joe has been standing up for low-income workers; and middle income workers, he wholly supports,” he said.

Labor frontbencher Anthony Albanese said Mr Pyne was evading questions about whether he agreed with Mr Hockey.

“Why? Because what he said was rubbish,” Mr Albanese said.

Joe Hockey a champion of the poor, says Chris Pyne