TRANSCRIPT: INTERVIEW ON SUNRISE, CHANNEL 7, 10 December 2020

7:32AM

E&OE

Subjects: Trade Relations, $398 million for the Safer Roads Program;

EDWINA BARTHOLOMEW

Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack joins me from Canberra. Good morning to you, Deputy Prime Minister.

MICHAEL McCORMACK 

Good morning, Edwina.

EDWINA BARTHOLOMEW

This trade war is escalating, taking in more industries each and every week. What are you hearing from locals in your electorate about their concerns?

MICHAEL McCORMACK 

Well, they produce the world's finest food and finest fibre and they still want to have those trade arrangements with China and anywhere else. And that is why since coming to Government, we have certainly diversified our trade, in fact we have lifted it from 26% to 70% under free trade agreements. That's what we organised. Trade agreements with South Korea, with China, of course, Japan, Indonesia more recently and that's why we will continue to ensure that we diversify our trade interests and that we certainly promote our world's best food and fibre and that's why this Christmas, more than ever, it's going be more important to buy local and shop local and eat Australian produce.

EDWINA BARTHOLOMEW

It is important to diversify those markets for sure and we will do that in the future but what does this mean for our relationship with China now, one of our key markets, how do you plan to respond and has our response, so far, been tough enough?

MICHAEL McCORMACK 

Well, as Simon Birmingham, of course, told Sam this morning on your program, we will defend what we are doing through the World Trade Organisation. We will defend what we are doing on a global scale and we will make those representations directly to China. We need to, of course, make sure that we have got our trade for our farmers, because more trade means more jobs and our farmers are the best in the world and they deserve every assistance that our Government will give them and more and we will be doing just that.

EDWINA BARTHOLOMEW

Well, speaking of jobs, 59 projects in regional NSW have received funding of more than $100 million for road safety upgrades. That is part of a Government stimulus package. How many jobs do you expect this will create?

MICHAEL McCORMACK 

950, but perhaps more importantly, Edwina, it is going to potentially save up to 590 lives. It's great that there is $398 million, yes, it is a big figure on top of the $2 billion that we allocated from in the October 6 Budget, but the saving of lives and the fact there will be jobs – stimulus jobs – high visibility workers out on those worksites – 59 sites – very, very soon. That's why these shovel-ready projects are certainly being invested in. That's why we are partnering with the New South Wales Government and we are doing that right across the country. It's not just in New South Wales, it is not just the New England Highway or the Newell Highway or anywhere else, it is right across the country that we are investing in road safety. It is so important now because we want every person to get home to their loved ones this Christmas.

EDWINA BARTHOLOMEW

That money will be very welcome by many regional communities. Deputy Prime Minister, Michael McCormack, thank you for your time.

MICHAEL McCORMACK 

Thanks Edwina.

ENDS 7:35AM

Shane Manning