TRANSCRIPT: Doorstop at Parliament House, 18 October 2018
E&OE
Subjects: Leadership
JOURNALIST:
Deputy PM, is there a crisis of confidence in your leadership of the Nationals?
MICHAEL MCCORMACK:
Absolutely not. I’m focused on the things that matter to the people who put me here in Canberra in the first place and that is drought, making sure that regional infrastructure priorities are being met, making sure that I do my job, not just in Infrastructure but also Transport, and Regional Development. Regional Development is so critical, that’s what I’m concentrating on. I have to say that’s what the National Party Members are concentrating on too.
JOURNALIST:
Then why is there so many colleagues incessantly briefing out criticism of you?
MICHAEL MCCORMACK:
Well, I don’t think so many colleagues, as you put it, are briefing out, maybe one or two, but one or two doesn’t make a majority.
JOURNALIST:
Yesterday Barnaby Joyce said he had not been canvassing colleagues but he didn’t deny that others have been canvassing for a spill. Are those comments unhelpful?
MICHAEL MCCORMACK:
Barnaby Joyce has said that he is not canvassing out and I believe him. Whether or not others are, that is a matter for them, but the fact is that I have a majority support in the National Party. The fact is, not one National Party member has come to me and said that they’re dissatisfied with anything. They’ve come to me in a conga line asking for infrastructure projects, making sure that they want roads that are going to get their people home sooner and safer. I am supporting those efforts, those bids. I’m delighted that tomorrow we are announcing the regional growth funding announcements and making sure that those regional areas, Liberal, National, indeed Labor are looked after with the sorts of infrastructure that people who live in regional Australia expect and deserve.
JOURNALIST:
Have you spoken to Barnaby Joyce over the past 24 hours?
MICHAEL MCCORMACK:
I have seen him, yes, I’ve seen Barnaby, I have said g’day to him, we’ve obviously had a very important meeting the other day about the drought, and I have to say that people in those drought affected areas must look at these broadcasts and think, why so much introspection? Why aren’t the Members of Parliament, indeed why aren’t the media focused on our struggles with the prolonged dry spell? That’s what I am interested in, that’s what I am focused on and I know that’s what Barnaby is too. As a special envoy he’s doing a good job.
JOURNALIST:
Deputy Prime Minster do you expect a challenge to your leadership?
MICHAEL MCCORMACK:
No I don’t.
JOURNALIST:
Why are you so confident about it?
MICHAEL MCCORMACK:
Because I know I got the majority of the support of the Party Room. Not one Member has come to me and said they're dissatisfied with anything. I know I have got the support of the Party Room. I know that as these stories have arisen, particularly in the last 24 hours, the number of colleagues who have texted me, who phoned me, who visited my office and said, "Look, you're doing a great job, just continue what you're doing."
JOURNALIST:
Have any colleagues expressed dissatisfaction with your handling of the agricultural visa issue, though?
MICHAEL MCCORMACK:
No, they haven't. And again, I urge and encourage farmers who might be watching this particular telecast: If they have farm labour needs, go onto the Harvest Trail website, ring the hotline, register your interest, make sure you tell your Job Active provider how many workers you need, how long you need them for and what sort of jobs they'll be doing, and those requirements will be met. That's been the case in the past, it's going to be the case now and it going to be the case in the future. The fact is, if there are labour workforce shortage needs, they will be filled by Australians or indeed by foreigners who will come in and we will get the right amount to be able to pick the fruit and harvest the crops. That's what we have always done.
JOURNALIST:
Mr Joyce has said that he would take the job if it was offered. You must be disappoint that he could’ve put to bed yesterday all of these swirling innuendo rumours. What do you make of those comments that he didn't just squash this or quash this?
MICHAEL MCCORMACK:
I understand why he said that. The Leadership of the National Party is one of the best jobs in Australian Politics. Why wouldn’t it be, we get to represent the interests of Regional Australians each and every day in each and every way. It's a great job. I'm honoured and proud to be the Leader of the National Party, the 14th Leader of the National Party. Barnaby did a very, very good job as leader. I'm trying my very best as Leader. It's a party that's stood up, represented the interests of Regional Australians for 100 years, and you know what, we'll be here for another 100 years.
JOURNALIST:
Did you ever leak against Mr Joyce’s leadership?
MICHAEL MCCORMACK:
No I didn’t.
JOURNALIST:
How damaging is this speculation to the Nationals brand? You did have quite a record of stability leading up to Joyce’s ousting.
MICHAEL MCCORMACK:
People look to the National Party as a very sensible party, as certainly people who represent their interests. You see, that is why at the last election we maintained every seat and indeed added one and that is why we get out into our electorates. I'm going to open the Cootamundra Show on Saturday and very much looking forward to it. I’m getting out to my electorate as every National Party Member and Senator will be doing this weekend, as we have the weekend in between the sitting weeks. Next week, you know what, we'll be back here again fighting for more drought support, fighting for better infrastructure. That is what National Party Members do. We focus on the interests of our people, we don't focus on ourselves.
JOURNALIST:
You have acknowledged here that one or two colleagues may be up to mischief or to use your words "canvassing support for an alternative". At what point do your stamp your leadership authority, tell them to cease and desist, or put up and shut up?
MICHAEL MCCORMACK:
I’ve got the support of the National Party room. Nobody has come to me and expressed any dissatisfaction about what I'm doing or how I’m doing it. I have to say again they have come to me and asked for more regional projects, for more infrastructure, that’s what I’d expect them to do. I know they’re going to concentrate on making sure that they continue to do, as I am, the very best job that they've been sent here to Canberra to do. Thank you very much.