‘No, Waleed’: PM’s clash with TV host

Anthony Albanese and Waleed Aly have clashed on The Project after the Prime Minister was asked about controversial housing policy on rent caps.

Mr Albanese appeared on the program amid a political stoush between Labor and the Greens, with the minor party holding a major proposed policy to ransom.

The Greens are demanding the government agree to legislate policy’s such as rent caps in order for the Housing Australia Future Fund (HAFF) to pass through the senate.

Mr Albanese has not ruled out sending Australia to an early election if the Greens block the bill.

The Project’s host turned up the heat on the Prime Minister after he said some of the Greens’ demands fall outside the federal government’s control, with legislation such as rent caps a state government responsibility.

Aly said the Greens were asking for the government to use $2.5bn to incentivise rent caps rather than demand the laws be changed, but before he could finish the question, the prime minister jumped in.

“The problem with that Waleed is that we put $2bn on the table for states and territories in June,” he said.

The pair then went back and forth shouting over each other for 20 seconds before Aly cut in with his question.

“Are you philosophically opposed to the rent caps and the idea of capping rent increases … and therefore won’t use your megaphone for it,” he said.

Mr Albanese began to answer before he turned on the host.

“Waleed, that’s not the question. The question here is states and territories will look at measures for renters and renters rights” he said.

“I want to see increased renters rights, if that’s what you’re asking me, but there are six states and two territories, all whom have different systems in place.”

Despite not getting a clear answer on whether Mr Albanese was opposed to rent caps, the host moved onto another controversial topic, the recent deaths of four Australian soldiers in a helicopter accident in Queensland.

Aly questioned the Prime Minister on whether Australia “has a habit of paying top dollar for rubbish equipment”.

“Today’s the day we’ll leave with respect where we’re dealing with four families who’ve lost loved ones. Today’s a day to think of those families,” Mr Albanese said.

The host asked again, saying the families of defence force members would want to know his answer.

“Yes, Waleed and there‘ll be an appropriate investigation on that, and appropriate responses,” he said.

“Today’s not the day for me to speculate about what has occurred.”