Senator the Hon Michaelia Cash
Leader of the Opposition in the Senate
Shadow Attorney-General
Shadow Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations
Senator for Western Australia
TRANSCRIPT
2SM Mornings with Chris Smith
TOPICS: Trump plan for Gaza, Government backflip on mandatory sentencing for terrorism, reliable and affordable energy
6 February 2025
E&OE
Chris Smith
I’m joined by Senator Michaelia Cash on a very busy week, we thank you very much for giving us this time.
Senator Cash
It is an absolute pleasure. Good morning to you, Chris, and good morning to your listeners.
Chris Smith
Yes, I want to talk international news first, because we’ve just had a full hour debate and some drag out and beat them up debate on air between two contested views on Gaza, that is what Trump has come up with. My argument has been Michaelia, that what Trump says is not actually what he has in mind. It’s a negotiated concept that he always comes up with, and he always tries to end up with what he envisages to be a solution. So don’t take him literally, but what he is coming up with has surely got to be little bit better than what we think may happen, which is a two state solution. I don’t think you can ever have a two state solution after what happened on October 7. That’s just my view. What’s your reaction to Trump’s concept for Gaza?
Senator Cash
Well, I think that he is certainly serious and it has been his entire record about making sure that there is not a threat to Israel in the future. And none of us want to see another repeat of October the seventh. So in terms of the announcement yesterday, and certainly watching him with Prime Minister Netanyahu, I think he genuinely wants to see a chance of peace. I mean, I think he really does want to see people not living in squalor, but in a safe environment etc. He wants to see people given good housing, good for children. I think also, this is often lost in the debate, there are other countries in the region who we have always believed should step up and take responsibility. So from my perspective, I think look, don’t as you say, we’re going to wait to see the further details on his proposal. First he’s made an announcement. But as you said, what is his intention? His intention is, and this is a man that is a second term president, he pretty much knows he’s got four years to get things done. I think he is serious about making sure that there is not a threat to Israel going forward. I would agree to that. But more than that, he wants a chance to get lasting peace.
Chris Smith
And I would have thought he made up his mind with the help of Benjamin Netanyahu. No doubt that a two state solution, given what happened on October 7, is now officially off the table.
Senator Cash
Well, in the first instance, let’s take it back though, to where we are in Australia, quite frankly. Because when you look at the Albanese government, they have shamefully abandoned Israel in their UN votes – You know, in the first instance, on a unilateral recognition of a Palestinian state. Mr. Albanese, from an Australian perspective, has walked away from our decades long bipartisan position, you know, at the United Nations. But we all want to see peace for people in the Middle East. And the clear message we have from a domestic perspective is that Anthony Albanese and his government should be working closely with our allies in the United States and in Israel, and the bad news for all Australians is they have not been doing that. They have been undermining our relationship.
Chris Smith
Okay, talk about rolling over. Last night the Federal government agreed with Coalition demands on mandatory minimum jail sentences for crimes of terror. This didn’t quite go as they would have hoped.
Senator Cash
Well, let’s be very clear here. Peter Dutton from day one, October the seventh, 2023 when we saw the horrific attack, Peter Dutton has been leading the fight against domestic antisemitism. From day one, where has our Prime Minister, been? H has been missing in action. We have been calling for strong action. This action was needed months ago, and as you said, Peter Dutton has once again led the way on this crucial issue of national security, but more than that, social cohesion. And last night, yes, in the dead of night, the Government and Anthony Albanese were dragged kicking and screaming to do the right thing to protect Australians. I am glad that they have capitulated to Peter Dutton. But quite frankly, if it was not for Peter Dutton, this would not be going ahead because of Anthony Albanese. As I said, where has he been on the issue of antisemitism, on the issue of domestic terrorism? I mean, Chris, can you even believe that you and I have to have a conversation where we are now talking about domestic terrorism in Australia. I mean, I find this a little surreal sometimes, that you’ve got to do these interviews and you’re actually saying our Prime Minister is missing in action on the issue of domestic terrorism in Australia.
Chris Smith
And he has the hide yesterday to say the national security is his number priority.
Senator Cash
Oh, look. I mean, this is just it. And I would say to the Australian people, please judge Mr. Albanese by his actions, not his words. Because this guy talks a huge game. But when it comes to and it’s no longer just failing the Jewish people of Australia when you have acts of domestic terrorism, they impact potentially all Australians. I mean, talk about missing in action when it comes to the answers on the handling of what could have been one of the most catastrophic acts of terror ever seen in Australia. I mean, a week on from breaking, and despite questioning in Parliament, Mr. Albanese is unable to tell the Australian people a very simple answer to a very simple question. Mr. Albanese, were you actually briefed on what could have been a catastrophic act of domestic terrorism? Because Premier Minns was able to stand up and say, I was briefed on this date. The Prime Minister, on the other hand, looks every way. I’m actually worried now, Chris, I’m really worried because when you’ve got people who can potentially blow something up in this country and could kill people, you’ve got a Prime Minister who is doing anything but reassuring the Australian people that he is in control, that is a dangerous place to be.
Chris Smith
And it also indicates that those in authority, those at the ahead and running our major police agencies, has had no faith in him to know.
Senator Cash
And that is the worrying thing now you have an act of potential domestic terrorism, and your Prime Minister does a press conference with Chris Minns where he doesn’t seem to know anything. He has been questioned by the media in every press conference. He has been questioned every day in this Parliament about when he knew or his government knew about this sickening incident. We’re not asking about operational details, Chris, we are asking: Did you know Prime Minister as the leader of our country? You’ve got to be kidding me. This is actually now beyond astounding. This is actually now a serious issue for the Australian people that you have a Prime Minister who is either not over national security or is actually kept in hiding when it comes to issues of serious national security breaches. That is very serious Chris.
Chris Smith
You’ve got to get into the chamber – before you go the Woodside energy CEO says Australia must deliver reliable energy – but there’s no guarantee of that at all in any plan I’ve seen from Chris Bowen.
Senator Cash
Well, what’s worse is, and I tell you, listeners, go on to Chris Bowen’s social media videos and watch them. He is more interested in making cringey social media videos than bringing down power prices for households and business. Woodside’s warning is clear, if we do not have affordable, reliable energy, Australia will fail, and that means Australians fail. But instead of backing gas, which we back every single step of the way, you’ve got Mr. Albanese and Mr. Bowen putting ideology ahead of the national interest, while the rest of the world is moving to secure affordable energy. Anthony Albanese and Chris Bowen, quite frankly, are letting activists and red tape dictate Australia’s future. I’m glad that Meg O’Neill has come out and actually belled the cat, because if Adam Bandt is running the show after the next election, in minority government with Anthony Albanese, then Meg’s warning will actually come true. Without affordable, reliable energy. Australia will fail.
Chris Smith
Yeah, we’ll go completely and utterly bankrupt, the embarrassment of the world, and I see it coming on. I’ll let you go.
Senator Cash
Great to be with you Chris.
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