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 Newsday with Kieran Gilbert
15 November 2024
TOPICS: Electoral reform, Melbourne Christmas window protests, Cbus Super, UN Israel vote
E&OE
Kieran Gilbert
Senator Michaelia Cash, let’s start with this electoral reform issue. The independents are saying it’s a stitch up between the major parties.
Senator Cash
Well, ultimately, the government is yet to table the legislation, Kieran and we have always said we need to wait to see what is in the legislation when it’s tabled, apparently this week in the parliament. We will look at it as we do with any piece of legislation, and we will consider our position. But at this point in time, I haven’t seen the legislation. I don’t know what’s in it, but we’ll go through our normal processes when the government tables for legislation on.
Kieran Gilbert
As I said, we’ve got a lot to get across. I want to ask you about the Christmas windows in Melbourne. It’s a wonderful tradition. So many of our viewers would have been taking their kids there over the years, and the launch has been suspended because of a threatened protest, which they’ve now reneged on.
Senator Cash
Exactly. Back off Christmas is what I say. Back off. It is a time for Australians to come together. It does not matter where you come from or who you are. We have a proud Judeo-Christian culture in this country, but Christmas is embraced by everybody. I am someone who has had the opportunity over years to actually see the Myer Christmas window. What a great event for families. These protesters, quite frankly, they have done nothing to help their cause, and that I say is good. Back off Christmas, leave it alone. You know the quick vox pops in the street this morning that some of your journos have done, people are supportive of free speech. 110% people are supportive of peaceful protests, but when you want to interrupt an event like this, you lose everybody. You don’t get any support.
Kieran Gilbert
On to the Cbus question, the superannuation fund. What’s your concern here when it comes to the CFMEU? Because from what I understood when the CFMEU was placed into administration, it did have a flow on effect, did it not for the board of Cbus?
Senator Cash
Put all of that aside, there is a bigger picture here. In the first instance, Cbus itself has very serious questions to answer. It is now under investigation. Secondly, my basic principle is this: it’s your money, it’s your super. Australians need to know that their money, is being invested in their best interests. But more than that, if you are someone, if you are one of those families that needs access to that money, you should not have to wait over a year for that. Oh, they’re blaming everybody, blaming everybody. The bigger issue is this: the governance arrangements for industry super funds. Labor have long protected the racket that is industry super funds.
Kieran Gilbert
You are saying it’s not just Cbus?
Senator Cash
It is the governance arrangements in relation to industry super funds. Mr. Albanese, there’s two weeks of the parliament left. He needs to show the Australian people that he is prepared to put in place the appropriate governance arrangements.
Kieran Gilbert
What needs to happen?
Senator Cash
Well, more transparency for starters, it’s as simple as that. So people can actually see what these funds are doing. I’ll give you an example. Kieran. When I was the former IR minister in relation to the workers entitlement funds – think the mess that is currently Incolink. We brought forward legislation to bring in basic governance for those funds, so that members would know what is happening with their hard-earned money.
Kieran Gilbert
So that it’s not being shovelled out in donations or whatever else.
Senator Cash
Correct. And do you know what Labor did? They fought us Kieran every single step of the way. I’m glad now that people are finally being exposed, but the biggest exposure is Mr. Albanese. What are you now going to do? You’ve got two weeks of Parliament left. We’ve said we’ll work with you to ensure that the appropriate governance is put in place. Your Money, Your super that’s it.
Kieran Gilbert
We will stay in touch on that. But that is obviously a lot of our viewers would be very curious with it as well, where the dollars are being spent.
Senator Cash
And they have every right to know Kieran, it’s their money.
Kieran Gilbert
You said, the next two sitting weeks, it could be the last two before the election.
Senator Cash
Well what a mess in Western Australia the Prime Minister has created. He was asked a direct question by a journalist: did you speak to premier Roger Cook about seeking advice to move the date of the Western Australian state election? He gave a one word answer, Kieran, ‘no’. Next interview. He’s got to clean up his mess. He completely, totally and utterly misled Australians, but more than that, misled Western Australians. He has spoken to Roger Cook.
Kieran Gilbert
So you think it will be pushed in WA?
Senator Cash
Well, I certainly hope not. Our election date is a fixed term. It has been known for four years. Roger Cook has made it very clear he’s not moving the election date. So Mr. Albanese needs to come clean, in particular with Western Australians. Why are you treating us like mugs? Why are you saying you didn’t seek advice when you actually did? What are you hiding? You’ve known our election date for the last four years, second Saturday in March. Why are you playing games and treating Western Australians like mugs.
Kieran Gilbert
Quickly before you go, we’re going back a bit. We spoke about those pro Palestinian protests, but I do want to ask you about the UN vote. Australia shifting its position. We’ve abstained from these votes. Over the years, there’s been a significant shift in that, but we are voting with countries like the UK, New Zealand and other allies. Are we now more in line with allies?
Senator Cash
Absolutely not. There is only one word for what happened in relation to this vote, and it is shame. In the first instance. Mr. Albanese, prior to the election, made a very clear commitment to the Australian people. If he was elected to govern, the major Party’s position on Israel would not change. He misled the Australian people. But worse than that, provided no justification for why this is being done, and we are now out of step with our greatest ally, the United States.
Kieran Gilbert
But in step with the UK and New Zealand.
Senator Cash
Out of step though with the US. A) you misled the Australian people in my books. You don’t come back from that in any event. B, you’ve been all over the place on Israel, and you’ve provided no justification for this vote. But C, Donald Trump, the incoming president, has made it clear he will be appointing Marco Rubio as his Secretary of State. Look at what Marco Rubio has said. He has been emphatic, Kieran in his comments that the conflict in the Middle East is a direct result of the actions of Hamas. That is the position the Australian Government should be adopting. And as I said, A out of step with the US, not a good place to be. But more than that, let’s look at it domestically. Mr. Albanese, you misled the Australian people. But more than that, you misled Jewish Australians prior to the election. Shame on you.
Kieran Gilbert
Michaelia Cash, thank you.
Senator Cash
Appreciate it.
Recent Comments