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
The Today Show
Topics: Albanese U.S. visit, China wine tariffs, Yes campaign letter, Clover Moore, Mary Fowler
23 October 2023
E&OE.
Karl Stefanovic
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will touch down in Washington D.C. at around midday today, where he’ll join President Joe Biden for high level talks on AUKUS and the conflict in the Middle East. Lots on. Joining us to discuss, WA Senator Michaelia Cash and 2GB presenter Chris O’Keefe. Nice to see you guys. Michaelia, while Albo’s away, will Labor play?
Senator Cash
Well certainly we’re actually supportive of Mr. Albanese going on this trip and whilst he’s there though, I hope he does take the opportunity to really impress upon Mr. Biden, President Biden, and United States the importance of the delivery of AUKUS. This was one of the signature policies of the former Coalition Government. And certainly the opportunity is there to ensure that President Biden and the United States know just how important it is for our two countries to continue to work together to deliver.
Karl Stefanovic
The US is a little distracted at the moment, they don’t even have a speaker.
Senator Cash
Well again, I would never comment on another country’s domestic politics, but in saying that this is an opportunity to continue, by Mr. Albanese, the good work that the former Coalition Government started.
Karl Stefanovic
Okay. Chris, how do you think it’s gonna go down?
Chris O’Keefe
Well, I think he needs to go, right? And I know we’ll hear a little bit of tongue-in-cheek stuff from Peter Dutton and the Opposition about Airbus Albo and all the rest of it, but no one is under any illusions that this bloke needs to get on the plane, needs to go to a state dinner at Washington D.C., at the White House. The world’s in a very precarious position at the moment. AUKUS is incredibly important to Australia’s national security. You’re not going to hear Joe Biden asking about the Voice. Anthony Albanese won’t be asking about the Speaker or Congress. It’s important Australia’s there and it’s good we’ve got a seat at the table.
Karl Stefanovic
Okay Michaelia, after Washington the PM will be off to Beijing to meet with the Chinese president. The wine deal looks sealed. Still an awful long way back for that industry, rebuilding a market over there, a solid market, and there are going to be ongoing trust issues.
Senator Cash
Well in relation to the wine tariffs, these should never have been imposed in the first place. This was nothing more and nothing less than an attempt at economic coercion of Australia by China. I mean, do you remember the list of 14 demands that China was going to impose on Australia? Good on Australians, and the wine industry in particular, for standing up and saying no. But Karl it’s also a little coincidental that China is now reviewing the tariffs given that the WTO have handed them their initial report into Australia’s appeal, which as we know would have found, or will find, that these tariffs should never have been imposed. So it’s certainly welcome, but good on Australia’s wine manufacturers for standing up to the economic coercion of China.
Karl Stefanovic
There are going to be ongoing trust issues there, aren’t there?
Chris O’Keefe
Yeah of course, but business has got to not be lazy and just think, “Oh well, we’ve got this Chinese market that’s going to make me a fortune.” Well, have you seen any wine growers or vineyards going broke in the last little bit? They’re still making money and they haven’t been able to send as much wine to China. Same with beef, same with barley. Is that ideal? No. Have they found different markets? Yes. So coerce them yourself.
Karl Stefanovic
Leaders from the Yes campaign penned an open letter attacking the majority of Australians for voting against the Voice, taking particular aim at the Coalition and the media. Michaelia, a provocative move from the Yes camp. How does that go down?
Senator Cash
Oh well, Australians have voted and they voted overwhelmingly. Perhaps they should actually be penning a letter of disappointment to our Prime Minister, Mr. Albanese. As Peter Dutton said, this was the referendum that Australians never had to have. How many opportunities was Mr. Albanese given to actually pull back? But no, he put politics over policy. He was overwhelmingly sent a message from Australians last Saturday night – no, no, no, no, no, no no. And quite frankly, any letter that should be written, should be written to Mr Albanese. He is the person that should take squarely the blame in relation to this failure and for what he put Australians through.
Karl Stefanovic
Sydney’s Lord Mayor Clover Moore has weighed in this morning. She’ll block a proposal to light up Sydney Town Hall in Israeli colors, labeling the one sided approach one that runs counter to Sydney’s values of inclusiveness and harmony. Chris, that’s it.
Chris O’Keefe
I’m done with lights. I’m done with lighting stuff up. Like, come on. It was important that we lit up the Opera House, the Sydney Opera House, and Parliament House in Canberra 24-48 hours after a terrorist attack in Israel. Simple. But now we’re at the point where people are protesting war. They’re entitled to protest war. Division is running hot in this country. It’s running hot all around the world. We’re in Australia because we’re Australians. We’re in Australia because we want to leave that stuff behind. Now, if we’re gonna continue on the path of, okay, every time something happens you light up the opera house, you light up the Sydney Town Hall, all that happens is we have a discussion in Australia which forces people to have emotional reactions, and the consequence of that can often be violence and that is not something we want here.
Karl Stefanovic
Okay, I tend to agree. Michaelia, you might not though.
Senator Cash
Well I actually have to say that I’m disappointed in Clover Moore’s decision, but the reason being she picks and she chooses. I understand she lowered the Indigenous flag to mourn the loss of the Voice. She’s happy to spend ratepayers money on supporting the Yes campaign. According to the article this morning, she’ll lower the United Nations flag tomorrow. You don’t get to pick and choose, but in particular on an issue as significant as this. This is a time where the Jewish community in Australia actually needs to know that they are supported. So I would say to Clover Moore, you don’t get to pick and choose, but in particular at a time when Australia’s Jewish community need to know that they are supported. I actually don’t agree with the decision that she’s made.
Chris O’Keefe
But you know, lighting up Sydney Town Hall has precisely zero to do with the Voice referendum. I don’t know how you can conflate the two. It’s ridiculous.
Karl Stefanovic
Matilda’s superstar Mary Fowler dropped a very interesting revelation on 60 Minutes last night. Terrific story from Tommy last night – what she’d be doing if she wasn’t setting the pitch alight. Check it out.
Mary Fowler
I actually wanted to be an actor when I was younger. I’m not going to do any acting now. I had this envelope in my journal that I was like saving up for acting school.
Karl Stefanovic
Okay, this morning I’m asking the question, what would you be doing if you weren’t working in your respective careers? Chris, you’re first up.
Chris O’Keefe
Ah, drinking probably. I’m good at that.
Karl Stefanovic
Professionally?
Chris O’Keefe
I don’t know what I’d do. It’d be nothing productive, just like now.
Karl Stefanovic
Michaelia, you?
Senator Cash
Well my mother always said to me growing up, “You know, my darling, you are well and truly going to be on the stage.” So I have to say, Karl, I’ve probably ended up where my mother thought I would – on some form of stage.
Karl Stefanovic
And some form of acting. We won’t go there. Good on you guys. Have a good week. Appreciate it.
Senator Cash
Great to be with you.
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