Prime Minister Tony Abbott is standing by Joe Hockey even though he doesn't agree with the treasurer's poor-people-don't-own-cars argument.
Mr Hockey has been labelled out of touch with ordinary Australians following his defence of a budget measure to restore indexation of the fuel excise.
Asked by reporters on Friday whether he agreed with his treasurer's comments, Mr Abbott said: "Plainly, I wouldn't say that."
But he went onto to defend Mr Hockey, saying he had a plan to ensure all Australians were better off in the long term.
He said the best thing the government could do for all Australians - "rich and poor alike" - was to get the budget back under control so that services everyone needed, but especially low-income people, were delivered effectively.
Asked whether Mr Hockey still had his support, Mr Abbott replied: "Of course."
While conceding that not all elements of the budget were popular he was "very proud" of what he and the treasurer had brought down.
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