TRANSCRIPT: Deputy Prime Minister, Michael McCormack, Federal Member for Flynn, Ken O'Dowd, Thursday 8 May 2019
Interview, Afternoons with Laurie Atlas, 994R0 Queensland
EO&E
ATLAS:
You're listening to Afternoons with Laurie Atlas, on the Talk of Central Queensland, 994 RO.
Twenty five to two on this Wednesday afternoon. Michael McCormack is the Deputy Prime Minister, leader of the National Party. Ken O'Dowd is the member for Flynn. First time I've seen Kenny on the campaign. Good afternoon to you both.
MCCORMACK:
Good afternoon Laurie.
O’DOWD
How're you going Laurie.
ATLAS:
You seem very happy this campaign. It's not as bad as it has been in other states.
Tony Abbott's posters. Faeces, anti-Semitic graffiti on Frydenberg.
MCCORMACK:
It got pretty nasty in the Northern Territory yesterday with the Green's candidates, saying some pretty horrible things about the country-
ATLAS:
A dog was shot and left under Sarah Henderson, the member of the Corangamite’s sign. I mean, what is going on? I've never seen Australia like this.
MCCORMACK:
Well, you get people who perhaps they want their party to get up a little bit more than they should, and they just get desperate, and they do things that they shouldn't do. It’s un-Australian. It shouldn't happen.
ATLAS:
I note with interest, the son of Malcolm, who is Alex Turnbull, was infinitesimally determined to besmirch whatever legacy is left of his father's legacy. Even he came out yesterday, and he said the egg girl, that was bad.
MCCORMACK:
Oh, it's over the top, and particularly in the Country Woman's Association conference. I mean, that's, as the Prime Minister quite rightly said, I mean, she should have asked the CWA ladies what to actually do with the egg because, of course, they're pretty famous for their scones and their cooking and everything else, and it's un-Australian and it's certainly, certainly something that shouldn't happen in a Country Woman's Association convention.
ATLAS:
Between the two of you, there's probably, what 30 - 40 years of parliament? I don't think you've ever seen it like this have you?
O’DOWD:
I haven't, I certainly haven't Laurie, but I think it's getting worse each year, each election. It's not a good image, and it’s not a good thing to be happening and I think we’ve gotta have a look, the federal government needs to have a good look at how we go into these pre-polls, because that's a lot of nastiness.
ATLAS:
When did we stop being able to debate politely? I just put a photo up, that popped up on my Facebook.
MCCORMACK:
Yeah, social media hasn't helped, Laurie. And I think people with anonymous accounts particularly on twitter can say whatever they like, under the, you know, anonymous slogans that they put up there and the anonymous names and handles that they put. And, they feel as though they can say anything they like, they wouldn't say it to your face.
But, then again I'm surprised too that ... as I always go to pre-polls I always shake hand with every person who's handing out. It doesn't matter what party they're from. The last couple of days I've actually had people who refused to shake hands with me. I think that's un-Australian too. You know, you're only there promoting democracy and I always say to people, I had a really good chat to a Labor lady today and she said, you know, I've been handing out for 35 years. I said, good on you. You believe in something, you believe in the values and the principles of Labor and you know, well done to you. And she said, look, I'd really like the job that you're doing too, she said, you know, for whatever its worth, I hope you keep doing it. And, you know, that's a good interaction. A good, healthy interaction. She believes what she believes. She'll vote the way she wants to vote and I'll do the opposite. But, you know, the fact is you can get along. We're all Australians, we're all country people.
ATLAS:
The same thing is today with Sally McManus from the ACTU, I've had her on this show twice, and look, we don't agree on much but she's a very, very personable woman. And, she's got her things to do.
MCCORMACK:
Yeah, well the other thing too, and I think that the lesson needs to be learnt too, is that there's way too much backgrounding as the journalist goes on. Anything I've ever said I've always put my name to it and any journalist that ever went, ah look I just wanted a bit of information on the quiet. No, no, anything I say I've always said, put it on the record, put my name to it and make sure you quote me accurately. And, look I am a journalist. I'm a former journalist, former newspaper editor and I don't like people hiding behind anonymous comments. I think, if you're gonna be brave enough, big enough and brave enough; put your name to it.
ATLAS:
That's probably been the problem over the last 10 years, hasn't it? Going back to Kevin 07 and all that went on after that. There's been too much backgrounding hasn't there? With journalist probably.
MCCORMACK:
Well, and journalists love leadership change of course. They love the speculation, they love the thought that somebody's stabbing some else in the back. But, you know, what we need is a good policy discussion. That's why I'm really pleased that we're all united behind Scott Morrison. We're all united behind the policies of the LNP and you know, talking about the issues that matter. The average person in the street who wants their power prices down, who wants a job for themselves and their children, who wants to make sure they've got safer and better roads to drive on. They're the sort of things that people are discussing around their kitchen tables, around their boardroom tables, and that's the sort of thing we want to talk about too.
ATLAS:
You have to admit too, its fairly unprecedented for an opposition to put out their policies, like this Labor Party have, for such a long time. They're had a lot of really big policies that, big changes, that they want to make. They're had them out for about 18 months, haven't they?
MCCORMACK:
Well, they've had some of their policies out. I'm not quite sure they're going be cost effective for the nation. But then again it's not about what Labor says it's going to do, it's actually what Labor does. And, we saw that in 2007, when they came on the promise that they'd keep the boats turned back and they'd keep the unauthorised arrivals away and look what they did. Then of course we saw in 2010, when they ... You know, there will be not carbon price under the government I lead. And then of course, Julia Gillard needing to form government with a motley crew of Independents and the Greens. She did exactly the opposite to what she said, pre-election. So, that's the Labor way. They say one thing before the election, they do something completely the other, if and when they get elected.
ATLAS:
Are you wondering about what kind of Senate we're going to have?
MCCORMACK:
I'm hoping its workable, Mathias Cormann has done an amazing job getting some of the policy reform that we needed, some of the infrastructure that we wanted to build. And, its through his good work and I think the way that we wanted to shape the nation. And, we want to make sure there is a future for Australians, that we have got so much policy through in what has been, largely, and obstructionist of Senate.
But, I think people should really, carefully think about where they place their vote. And, if there is one thing that Bill Shorten said that's correct, in this election campaign, he said vote ... Whatever you vote for in the lower house, make sure you also vote for it in the upper house. And I don't agree with too much, if anything at all of what Bill Shorten says, but that's one thing I think he got right. The fact is, that people should think long and hard about where they're going to place their vote in the senate because ... and vote LNP of course because we need a government with a mandate. We need a government that's not being held up by an obstructionist Senate that just wants to play self-interest politics. Put the policy ahead of the politics.
ATLAS:
I haven't asked this question to any LNP person. Since it popped into my head, I'll ask you. There's one policy that Clive Palmer with the United Australia party trots out that I find interesting. Tax breaks, if you live a certain distance ... I think he's saying 200kms? If you live that far out of the city. Can that work?
MCCORMACK:
Look, you'd have to look at the overall tax-mix. We've got policies in place that are driving regional living. We want to make sure that our regions can be their very best selves. That's why we've got the decentralisation policy, that's why we're promoting regional businesses. That's why we're so keen on making sure that farmers can grow, and continue to grow and grow even more of it - the very best food and fibre. That's why we've got those free market agreements with Peru, with China, with South Korea, Japan. And we're promoting and building upon that record.
The fact is, we also want to make sure that our mines continue to operate as well as they are. There's 35,000 miners in this electorate that Labor wants to put out of a job through its Just Transition Authority.
And look, you can talk about all sorts of things if you've got a strong economy. We're backing the black, we're making sure that the surplus, the budget is back in surplus. But we need to build on that before we go too far down the track of talking about this big spending, free-wheeling schemes that, quite frankly, we've got the right policies but we need to be able to pay for whatever we say we going to pay for.
ATLAS:
If Russel Robertson had a chance to win Capricornia, which he's in it so he does. Do you think the state government have signed the death warrant for his campaign by doing what they're been doing-
MCCORMACK:
Well, why has Russel Robertson taken off all the red and all the Labor and the all the Bill Shorten off his corflutes and his posters and off his material that he's promoting at pre-poll. That kind of makes me wonder, does he really think he's Labor? This is what Labor does all around the countryside when Bill Shorten, and he is unpopular, they've taken Bill Shorten, their leader, off all of their material. Russel Robertson obviously realises that Labor around here are on the nose, and for good reason, because they don't stand out for miners. He's a former coal miner, as I understand, and he's got a party that quite frankly wants to shut the coal mining industry down. And the coal mining industry, which $66 Billion worth of exports, 55 thousand jobs, and supplying two thirds of our energy, of our nation's energy needs.
So, Russel Robertson is in a very, very difficult position because his party doesn't believe in what he's supposed to support around here. I tell you who does support what they're supposed to support around here, and that's Michelle Landry and Ken O'Dowd beside me. They support miners, they support coal and they'll go on doing it. Will Russel Robertson? If he ever gets elected, him and that Zac Beers, if they ever get to Canberra, they'll just go along like all the other Labor apparatchiks do. They'll never, ever cause as much as a whimper down in Canberra because they won't be prepared to cross the floor when they don't like what they see in the Labor party.
And, when they get the big lefties like Tanya Plibersek and Bill Shorten and whoever else dictating the tune, they will not stand up for the people they represent. But I tell you who will stand up and that’s Ken O'Dowd and Michelle Landry, and they're not frightened, those two, to say something that might go against what the LNP are saying or what the government is doing at the date. They will stand up for the people they represent.
ATLAS:
When did so much of the country, allegedly. Although Bob Brown didn't quite get the reception he thought ... but when did the country-
MCCORMACK:
He got the reception he deserved.
ATLAS:
Absolutely. When did the country become allegedly, so hairy chested about this Indian company, called Adani, who wanna do a mine that will help Indian people move into the 21st century. When did this happen?
MCCORMACK:
Do you think though, that the people who are protesting against it ... Do you think that the people who live in their high towers and their salubrious apartments in the leafy suburbs of the capital cities. Do you think they know where their energy sources come from? Do you think they know what actually goes a long way to contributing to paying for their state hospitals and schools?
ATLAS:
We've all said we are tired, right here in Rockhampton and in Townsville as well, where your electorate goes, we are tired of people told by people in capital cities what jobs we can and cannot have.
MCCORMACK:
Well farmers get sick of it too. I mean they get disturbed by politicians, Labor politicians, Green politicians, and some independents, so-called Independents, telling them what they can grow, what they can't grow, where they can grow it, how they can grow it, why they can grow it.
Miners are the same. I mean, it defies credibility how somebody can say, in the sanctity of their capital city. You know, these people should be ... We should be transitioning out of coal by 2030, the planet is going to be dead. I mean, the fact is whether they look one of these coal-miners or indeed, some of the white-collar workers, some of the scientists, some of the geo-techs, some of the engineers, some of the highly skilled people who are also employed by the coal-mining industry. Look them in the eye, and say, you should be out of a job. Your family doesn't deserve a future.
This Just Transition Authority, you know, you can't transition every one of the 10s and thousands of miners. Every one of those people that work in the resources sector and get them to make coffee for a living. It just doesn't work.
ATLAS:
So, what was the announcement today?
O’DOWD:
Well Laurie, it was good news for our four shires in my electorate; Banana, North Burnett, North Bundaberg and Rockhampton West. We got the bridges and roads. In Theodore's case it’s 400,000 dollars for their water treatment plan, but in the main, the big one was $2.1 million for the Biloela heavy bypass. And, that will get trucks out of the Biloela town and divert them around the city. There are other black spots on the highways, between Ban Ban Springs and Gayndah, and also down on the Avondale area, there's some nasty intersections. That'll clear up one black spot there which is the worst on that road from Miriam Vale to Bundaberg. So it all of certain, across the board, what with $4.7 million and, you know it would be well received by the Shires.
ATLAS:
And, the Mayor of Livingstone got his repairs to Stanage Road that he wanted too, didn't he?
O’DOWD:
That was yesterday's announcement? Yeah with Michael and Michelle.
ATLAS:
Just out of interest, I thought I’ll ask the question. Is it fair that the ADF don't pay rates? I know they've never done it, but is it fair that they-
MCCORMACK:
Well, they do protect the nation. They protect the nation. I feel like that's, I think that's work and work enough for them. They contribute mightily to our nation. And I know I come from Garrison town if you like. Wagga Wagga; the only inland city in all of Australia with all three arms of Defence. We've got a navy base there. But I'll tell you what, what they do, do. Is they bring people to town who pay a lot of taxes who contribute mightily to the economy of my town, Wagga Wagga, my home town. And, I know they do the same thing up here through the Shoalwater Bay. And having the Singaporean army there too is a huge contribution to the Australian economy and indeed, the Central Queensland economy.
ATLAS:
A few more questions, and then we'll take a break if you don't mind? You okay?
MCCORMACK:
Sure.
ATLAS:
Michael McCormack, the Deputy Prime Minister is here, and the leader of the National Party, and Ken O'Dowd the Member for Flynn.
ATLAS:
Afternoons with Laurie Atlas on 994 RO, the Talk of Central Queensland.
ATLAS:
Michael McCormack is here, Deputy Prime Minister and the leader of the National Party, and Ken O'Dowd the Member for Flynn. Deputy Prime Minister’s not a bad gig is it? Do you like it? You enjoying it?
MCCORMACK:
Huge Challenge, huge opportunity. Look, I love it. I love getting out and about every regional or remote corner of the country and talking to real Australians about their wants and needs. And, you know we’ve got some great people in this nation. We've got great hope for the future. The best years of Australia are indeed, well ahead of us.
ATLAS:
We talk about regional Australia and how much it contributes to the economy and I just don't think-
MCCORMACK:
70% of wealth produced by 30% of the population... Or there-abouts.
ATLAS:
We bat way above our weight
MCCORMACK:
Absolutely.
ATLAS:
And, I don't think Capital city quite understands-
MCCORMACK:
Well Ken will tell you, his electorate’s the powerhouse of the nation and I'll probably argue that the Riverina in South West New South Wales is the same. Michelle Landry I know, is absolutely committed to telling everybody that her Capricornia electorate is number one, but they all do, Laurie. But I do believe our best years are ahead of us. And we can make that happen with some of the policies, all the policies that we've got.
ATLAS:
One of the big things here that the Labor party are pushing is the part-time Vs full-time. Have you done enough? I know you've got a policy, which seems to me ... Senator Matt Canavan makes a pretty good case for it. They seem to be exactly the same, but they don't think it is. They think it’s too long a time, it's too big a time lag between the time when they legally can go to employers, in this case it's the mining industry and say, look, I've been part-time for a long time. I can't get a housing loan, I can't get car loan. Because I'm part-time, can you make me full-time? And-
MCCORMACK:
It’s not just the mining Industry, it's also teachers, you know, and they do struggle. You're so right. You summed it up. They struggle to get a mortgage, they struggle to get a house loan. Because they work at a part-time capacity. Look-
ATLAS:
Well it’s more than a downside to the banking royal commission. They've brought everything back. That is ... for all that they brought out, which was fantastic, it’s really made lending harder.
MCCORMACK:
Yeah, look we can do more and you know, we can have those discussions the other side of the election and we've done a lot, as you say in your comments there. And we can and we will. And we must do more.
O’DOWD:
Well our current policy is 12 months, on casualisation.
ATLAS:
Well, Sally McManus would like it to be six. Can you do that?
MCCORMACK:
Well, Sally McManus also tells people it's okay to break the law if you think, you know, you need a better bargaining arrangement with your employer. I mean, and the trouble is Sally McManus is going to have a large say in the running of this nation as are the Greens, as are the cross benchers if Bill Shorten happens to find himself in lodge. That’s the worry, the unions and GetUp will run the show. It won't be Bill Shorten, it’ll be the unions and GetUp
ATLAS:
How dangerous is GetUp?
MCCORMACK:
Very. And look, you can see how they're just trying to influence the outcomes of the election. You can see what they did last time with the seats in Tasmania. But, the fact is they say they're an independent group. They are not. They are not an independent group. They are a left-leaning, very, very pushy mob with a certain rat-bag element that just wants to change the shape of this nation. The fact is, we need more jobs in this nation, we need lower taxes and we need more prospects for the future. Only that can be provided by the LNP.
ATLAS:
Do you think you're onto winner with this franking credits' thing?
MCCORMACK:
Well, it's not onto a winner. It's the fact that Labor wants to steal the, money which is already being taxed. The fact is, and you know, I was in Port Macquarie, Tweed Heads and Coffs Harbour the other day. I couldn't believe the number of people. I'm not just saying this because it sounds expedient for me to do so. The number of people who walked across the street and a lot of them said, you know, I've been rusted on Labor voter all my whole life, but I don't want my $6,000 that I'm entitled to, that I use to pay for a holiday, grandkids’ presents, you know to pay my car rego. I do not want that taken by Labor's policies.
Well, don't worry. The LNP are not in favour. It’s already been taxed.
ATLAS:
I'm surprised they're not grandfathering it. I mean these people did what the rules said-
MCCORMACK:
Worked hard, it’s their money
ATLAS:
And they have paid their taxes-
MCCORMACK:
Why should Bill Shorten reach his gnarly fingers into their back pockets and steal it from them.
ATLAS:
Yeah, I don't ... You could argue that, all right, from now on, like someone like me. I'm 55 56, alright. That's fine. In 10 years’ time, I might want some franking credits, but no you're not gonna get them. But I've got 10 years to work that out. Whereas-
MCCORMACK:
The Green's want death duties, and let me tell you I know Chris Bowen has sort of ruled it out. But if it comes down to the crunch and Labor needs to form government, and the Greens are that one vote they need. They'll do and say anything to get that one vote. And if it means getting the Greens across the line and agreeing to death taxes, don't worry, don't worry. That's what they'll do.
ATLAS:
It’s interesting you bring that up actually. We'll look at that in minute, but just quickly, if you are to win. You will probably be narrowly won’t it, so-
MCCORMACK:
By the looks of things.
ATLAS:
Like, it won't be 10 seats. Chances are, it will be close. And you'll have the good old member for Flynn here to thank and our very own Michelle Landry once again, which is great. Who will you deal with, if you had to? Who would you deal with?
MCCORMACK:
Hopefully we won't have to deal with too many at all, but you have to, you have to make the best of what you've got. We know our policies are sound. But of course, you're dealing with people in the lower house too and so, there's only one Green in the lower house, and he won't deal with us, and we wouldn't want to deal with him anyway.
And of course then you've got the independent. It depends who the independents are made up of. Of course, you'd probably think that Bob Katter may well be back there. You'd probably think that Andrew Wilkie may well be back there. You know, you work with the card you're dealt with, that you're dealt. And, we'll just see what happens. Of course, we do hope that there's a workable Senate, we do hope that the upper house is sensible and wants this nation to go forward just like our budget did. Our budget last month was very sound and clear blueprint for the economy going forward. That's what we've placed our whole emphasis on.
We want to make sure that we can have a good, workable government for the benefit of all Australians, not just those who vote for us, but all Australians. Those hardworking Australians, unemployed Australians, young Australians, aged Australians, everyone. First Australians, we want to work for all of Australia. We want to do it in a sensible practicable, pragmatic way. We will do it, with our budget as our blue print.
ATLAS:
I'm not in favour of, pre-polling. Do you like it?
MCCORMACK:
It’s too long. It’s way too long. I mean, one week would be probably sensible. Two weeks if we had to. We all remember the 2016 elections when it was freezing cold. The election campaign had dragged on and on and on. Look, and people who are handing out, people who are actually pre-polling, they all say it’s way too much. And the fact is, pre-poll used to be there for those who could not make it on election day for whatever reason. You know, I just think it goes on too long.
O’DOWD:
On Monday, they just go on. It was a public holiday. It was a terrible waste of tax payer's money and people's time standing around on polling booths and no-one came.
ATLAS:
Ken, nice to see you.
O’DOWD:
Yes, same here Laurie.
ATLAS:
10 days to go and you may still be the member for Flynn. Good luck with that.
MCCORMACK:
He looks pretty fit and chipper, doesn't he? Ready to go for another three years.
ATLAS:
And, hopefully you'll still be the Deputy Prime Minister.
MCCORMACK:
Indeed.
ATLAS:
I'm sure you would agree?
MCCORMACK:
Indeed.
ATLAS:
Michael McCormack and Ken O'Dowd.