Transcript
PATRICK PRUAITCH: We definitely have a difference in terms of how we manage the economy. My party is not too inclined in going into debt. We want to be going into debt at a reasonable level accepted by the Fiscal Responsibility Act. We don't want to go beyond that. Our party is more pro-foreign direct investment, inviting people to come on board, making sure that our major projects are getting off the ground. So we support revenue coming in to the country. If you borrow, that's fine. If you borrow to finance infrastructure that will give you returns, then that is fine. But if you invest in roads that are leading nowhere, infrastructure that are not going to be used by most people, then it's not the way to borrow.
JOHNNY BLADES: Are you saying it won't grow the economy in the way that it needs to for rural people as well?
PP: That's correct. Our population is more rural based. And National Alliance is a rural-based party and our focus is in agriculture and infrastructure that will enable them to take their produce to the market. That's what any responsible government should do.
JB: Last month you came out saying the economy had fallen off a cliff, so to speak. Well, you were Treasurer for the last three years, what was happening? You were part of the decision making, weren't you?
PP: That's correct. I was the Treasurer. But imagine if I was not there - it would be far worse than what it is today. I was there making sure that the prime minister limits himself. I was able to rein in on two supplementary budgets to cut down our expenditure and realign the priorities of government. If I had not done that we would be far worse than what we are today. So yes people say that a Treasurer is the one who does... don't forget the Treasurer is only a minister in a government, the ultimate decision is the prime minister's decision. If his ruling party takes that, and he's guided by his ruling party, then what do I do as Treasurer. I can only offer advice. But if he chooses not to take it, which in many cases he does not, then this is where we are at at the moment.
JB: Depending on what happens in this election, would the National Alliance go into coalition again with the PNC perhaps?
PP: We will definitely invite the PNC, excluding the prime minister, into a government that NA will form.
JB: So Peter O'Neill's the problem, do you think?
PP: Well, everyone doesn't want to work with him, because he's not someone that we trust. He'll tell you something today, and tomorrow he tells you something different, or he tells other people something different than what he told you. So he's not reliable as a person.
