Senator the Hon Michaelia Cash
Shadow Attorney-General
Shadow Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations
Deputy Leader of the Opposition in the Senate
Senator for Western Australia
TRANSCRIPT
Sky News Erin
24 November 2023
Topics: illegal boats, PM China visit
E&OE.
Erin Molan
Okay, well Opposition Leader Peter Dutton has accused the government of giving people smugglers the green light after a boat carrying 12 asylum seekers reached land in Western Australia. Joining me now, Senator Michaelia Cash. Senator, thank you so much for your time. Now, Labor talked up their position on borders during the election. They talked tough, were they lying?
Senator Cash
Well Erin, As Peter Dutton has said, under Prime Minister Albanese – he stopped the economy and started the boats. I mean, let’s look at the previous record of the former Labor government – totally lost control of our borders. 50,000 illegal maritime arrivals, in excess of 8000 of them were children, children were locked up in detention and of course, the terrible statistic – over 1200 people died at sea. But did Mr. Albanese learn from that? Absolutely not. As soon as he gets into government, he starts to dismantle one of the most fundamental parts of Operation Sovereign Borders, and that is of course, Temporary Protection Visas. So look, this government has well and truly due to its weakness, given the green light to people smugglers. Peter Dutton is absolutely right.
Erin Molan
Dad used to talk to me about this and he of course was a Senator – Jim Molan, a former Major General and was one of the architects of Operation Sovereign Borders, and he used to talk about how even something tiny would be used by these scum bags, scum of the earth to sell this dream to desperate people. This alone will be used.
Senator Cash
Of course it will and I worked very closely with your father under Scott Morrison. I mean his commitment to national security Erin as you know, was second to none. But the one thing I always remember Jim saying – you either have spine or you don’t – when it comes to standing up to the people smugglers. You know, Peter Dutton has spine, Mr. Albanese – weak as water – and this recent boat arrival, bearing in mind Erin, in my home state of Western Australia, 12 people, they didn’t just make it to the coast, they actually got off and wandered around for two days. When it comes to people smugglers, Mr Albanese is as weak as it can be, and well and truly his Government has given the green light to them. It’s that easy under Mr Albanese.
Erin Molan
It’s not just this either, you look at off the back and botching up their response to the High Court decision on indefinite detention, the haze surrounding the Prime Minister’s discussion with the Chinese president, cost of living. It is fair to say that the honeymoon is well and truly over?
Senator Cash
Absolutely right Erin. Let’s look at the facts – on inflation – Labor’s lost control, on real wages moving forward – Labor’s lost control, on interest rates – Labor’s lost control, on our borders – Labor’s lost control. I mean, my message to the Australian people is – take back control and lose Labor. But Erin, I think the most offensive part of our Prime Minister is the fact that he clearly does not have the backs of Australians. And this recent naval incident in which Australian personnel suffered injury, shows that. His failure to stand up and act in our national interest when it comes to his meeting with President Xi quite frankly, says it all. You either have the backs of Australians or you don’t. And Mr. Albanese as our Prime Minister, is letting Australians down.
Erin Molan
Senator, thankyou so much. I’ve got some breaking news on that warship as well involving Taiwanese waters. So I’ll bring that to you shortly. But thank you so much for your time, really appreciate it.
Senator Cash
Great to be with you.
Erin Molan
Thank you.
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