Topics: ANZ misconduct, Albanese electorate office move, Australia-PNG defence treaty, Net Zero

 

E&OE

 

KARL STEFANOVIC:

 

To discuss I'm joined by Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations, Amanda Rishworth and Shadow Minister for Defence Angus Taylor. Let's get the business out of the way, first up, Amanda, do you bank with ANZ?

 

AMANDA RISHWORTH:

 

Well, I do have a credit card with ANZ, but I bank with other credit unions as well, but you know, quite frankly, this behaviour, you know, broadly across corporate Australia, corporate Australia has to keep within the law. I'm not going to comment on this particular case, but we've had the case of Qantas being fined for illegally sacking its workforce…

 

KARL STEFANOVIC:

 

Why wouldn't you comment on this particular case?

 

AMANDA RISHWORTH:

 

Well, it's before the courts. It's before the courts at the moment. So, what I would say is there's an obligation, whether you're a bank, whether you're an airline, to actually abide by the law, but there's more important than that. There's social licence here in Australia and so there's an obligation, a moral obligation, for customers and right across the board, to do the right thing and that's what these, that's what these, whether it's bank or whether it's Qantas, should do.

 

KARL STEFANOVIC:

 

Will you cut up your card?

 

AMANDA RISHWORTH:

 

Well, look, you know, there's plenty of reasons I might cut up my card, but look, you know, I'm not going to get into my banking details here, but certainly I'm really disappointed when you hear reports of behaviour like this.

 

KARL STEFANOVIC:

 

Alright, Angus, what about you. Do you bank with them?

 

ANGUS TAYLOR:

 

No, I don't Karl, I'm very happy to comment on the case, because it's a complete breach of trust with the Australian people, with their customers. Look, we've got a small number of big banks in this country, and it's reasonable to expect them to do the right thing by their customers, and when they don't, the greatest choice of all we have, is who we bank with when it comes to banks, and people can always walk with their feet and go elsewhere, but this is completely unconscionable and unacceptable.

 

KARL STEFANOVIC:

 

Okay, let's move along and Amanda, Albo has packed up his Marrickville office after it was overrun by protesters. Critics this morning are saying it was a cowardly act.

 

AMANDA RISHWORTH:

 

Well, firstly, I would say, let's get the facts right, Karl, the lease was discontinued, but I would say that in a democratic process, electorate officers are there so constituents can come in and get help. Help perhaps with Centrelink, help to apply for grants, help when it comes to Medicare. I mean, it is appalling that these protesters have denied people being able to access the office. There's reports of them harassing people as they use the building next door, but let's be really clear, politicians aren’t standing at the front desk, it's workers at the front desk there to help people in electorate offices, and, quite frankly, anyone that is denying other people that assistance, that's just not right.

 

KARL STEFANOVIC:

 

But aren't you just shifting the problem, and you're denying those people, the very people you're talking about, access to the services that they should be able to get?

 

AMANDA RISHWORTH:

 

Well, of course, as I said, the lease was discontinued. I mean, I think the Prime Minister has said that his electorate office will open somewhere else and they're able to get that assistance in the meantime, online, but you know, let's be clear, the problem is here, people denying others of being able to get access to the support they deserve.

 

KARL STEFANOVIC:

 

The protesters are going to shift wherever he opens a new office. They've had a win, Angus?

 

ANGUS TAYLOR:

 

Well, I agree with that, Karl, but I'd say in a democracy, representatives have to be able to represent. And the people who come to your electorate office, they're often people in real need, pensioners who are struggling to get payments, others who are seeking help at desperate times, and these protesters are acting in ways which are making it impossible for people to do their job and so, you know, I think that the behaviour of the protesters is completely unacceptable.

 

KARL STEFANOVIC:

 

Okay, this PNG security pact Amanda, which will be announced today. Would we go to war if Papua New Guinea’s sovereignty is under attack by Indonesia?

 

AMANDA RISHWORTH:

 

Look, what we have is an incredibly close relationship with Papua New Guinea. They are absolutely the closest country to us. So obviously, strengthening our ties, our defence ties, with PNG, is critically important and further deepens the relationship that our country has with PNG. This is a really important relationship, and one that is being further deepened.

 

KARL STEFANOVIC:

 

So, if they come under attack by Indonesia, some way, shape or form that happens, would we go and support them? Would we be obligated to?

 

AMANDA RISHWORTH:

 

Look, our relationship is deepening as a result of the work that the Prime Minister and the Defence Minister has done. This is a really important strategic relationship, and it is important that we have a good relationship with PNG, which is absolutely our closest neighbour.

 

KARL STEFANOVIC:

 

Alright, good thing we've got those subs ready, Angus?

 

ANGUS TAYLOR:

 

You know, and we're underfunding our defence force at a critical time, the Chinese Communist Party seeking to extend its influence across the South Pacific. We saw it on parade only a short, a few days ago, Karl, and we've got a government that's underfunding our defence force, underfunding the combination of the subs and the broader defence investments that need to be made. The objective here isn't war, it's peace. It's deterrence…

 

AMANDA RISHWORTH:

 

That’s just not true Angus.

 

ANGUS TAYLOR:

 

Well, you are on your own strategic plan, Amanda, about a percentage short…

 

AMANDA RISHWORTH:

 

We have the largest spend, largest spend in peace time in Australia's history…

 

ANGUS TAYLOR:

 

ASPI is telling us we are at risk of a paper defence force…

 

KARL STEFANOVIC:

 

Angus, we’ve got to roll, I've got Richard Wilkins standing by, he doesn’t like his entertainment being interrupted. Andrew Hastie might be hitting the road on Net Zero, is that a problem for you?

 

ANGUS TAYLOR:

 

Well, Andrew committed his support to Sussan Ley in that same interview, but I tell you the problem, Chris Bowen is driving up the price of electricity, is not going to reach our 2030 targets, and he needs to explain what he’s seeking to do by raising these targets to 55, 60 or 65%

 

What's it going to cost Australians?

 

KARL STEFANOVIC:

 

Good to talk to you guys.

 

ANGUS TAYLOR:

 

Good to be with you.

 

 

ENDS.