Transcript: Press Conference - Queanbeyan, NSW, 6 June 2020
E&OE
MICHAEL MCCORMACK:
Well, look, it's fantastic to be here today with the Deputy Premier of New South Wales, John Barilaro and Trevor Hicks. Trevor – he’s been a footballer, a farmer, an engineer, husband, so many things. Today, we have pre-selected him for The Nationals, for the federal by-election of Eden-Monaro and we've got every confidence. John has, I have, most importantly, the local branches of the Eden-Monaro Nationals have and I'm sure that the electorate at large is going to have every confidence in this bloke. He's going to do what he needs to do over the next four weeks to convince people to put a 1 beside his name on By-election Day on July 4. This is an important by-election and for those voters who put a 1 beside The Nationals, a 1 beside Trevor Hicks, can guarantee that they will get somebody who's determined to represent their interests in the Federal Parliament. Somebody who has the runs on the board. Somebody who has by his vast experience over a lifetime of community service, has been putting out there for people and that's what matters in this by-election – it's people. If you vote for Trevor Hicks, you'll get a rural representative who knows and understands the people, understands their issues, understands the things that are important for Eden-Monaro. Whether it's the coast, whether it's in Queanbeyan, no matter where it is in this vast, wide electorate, Trevor has been there, he understands the issues, people know him, they have every respect and faith in his ability to do the job and I'll be proud to stand alongside him, as I've done in the past, but certainly over the next four weeks, alongside John, to make sure that the things that really matter most – relief and recovery efforts from the bushfires, the terrible, terrible bushfires, the drought, which of course is still ongoing. John and I were just talking about it as we walked over here, the effects of that prolonged drought, of course COVID-19 as well. We need the right person in the Parliament to make sure that they’re talking about the right issues that matter to the people of Eden-Monaro. Jobs, relief and recovery and getting on with doing the job for this wonderful regional electorate. So I'll pass over to John to say a few words and then we'll hear from Trevor.
JOHN BARILARO:
Thanks Michael and to the Deputy Prime Minister and now to our newly-elected, pre-selected candidate. The National Party is a grassroots party and the membership this morning has pre-selected a grassroots candidate. A father, a husband, local councillor, former Deputy Mayor, former businessmen and someone that understands the land. He comes from Captains Flat on the edge of Queanbeyan. He's been vocal in the community. He was part of the Palerang Shire Council and then became a councillor on the merge claiming Palerang Council. Trevor has been part of this community, someone that I've had the opportunity to work with as the State Member. Now this electorate, this by-election brings an opportunity for the people of Eden-Monaro. We've been smashed by drought, we’ve been smashed by bushfires and of course the pandemic in itself has meant we're suffering like everyone else in this State and in this country. But this by-election, we can do something different. We can put our platform forward as The Nationals for what we believe in. We have an opportunity at this by-election to give the voters of Eden-Monaro an option beyond the Liberal Party and an option beyond the Labor Party for a candidate that has been part of the community. Peter Hendy was the last Liberal member for Eden-Monaro and can I say, was one of the worst. Was one of the worst. Why? Because he didn't care about his community. Mike Kelly is a mate of mine and a good local member. Couldn't deliver because he was actually in Opposition. So this by-election, we have an opportunity to vote for The Nationals – something different that people can look at my track record as the Member for Monaro delivering for this region, the record amount of investment and it would be great to see if we could do that at a Federal level. We have an opportunity in Eden-Monaro to vote for a National so that I can work with that individual and make sure we continue to deliver. There is an opportunity in this by-election and this by-election won't change the face of Government, the voters will have an opportunity to actually send a message. The message should be that The National Party are a voice for the region and that is why today we, of course, have pre-selected someone like Trevor Hicks. So with that, I'll ask the candidate to say a few words.
TREVOR HICKS:
Thank you, John. Yeah, hi, everyone. I'm Trevor Hicks. I've been in small business in Queanbeyan for 22 years. I’ve been on Council, Palerang Council and now Queanbeyan-Palerang Council for the past eight years. I’ve enjoyed working for the community and delivering projects such as this great park for Queanbeyan and Palerang and now I'm so excited that The National Party has backed me and they’ve given me a chance to go further out into our electorate in such a tough time for what we've had in the last 12 months. I came from Narooma, I was down at the fires over Christmas and I saw firsthand what effect it had on the community down there and I look forward to going down there and seeing what I can do for the community. The drought has been here for probably two years and the farmers have suffered badly as well. Every corner of our electorate has suffered, whether it's fires, drought or now COVID-19. We need to get the community back running, back working and I'm all for creating jobs in this area and I'll be focusing on that over the next two years if I'm elected.
JOURNALIST:
Mr McCormack, what do you make of the statement made by China that-
MICHAEL MCCORMACK:
Are there any questions about the candidate or the by-election? I think we'll do those first and then I’m happy to cover off on any other topic that you’d like to raise. So maybe we might do the by-election first and why Trevor Hicks is going to be the best candidate and is the best candidate in it and then we'll go to the other matters.
JOURNALIST:
Mr Barilaro, can I ask you a question then? The text message you sent to Mr McCormack: “To feel threatened by me clearly shows you have failed your team and failed as a leader. You will never be acknowledged by me as our leader. You aren't, you never will be.” Do you stand by that?
MICHAEL MCCORMACK:
Shows the mobile reception is working, hey John?
JOHN BARILARO:
(Laughs) Yeah. Can I just say something? You know, at the end of the day, what we do as a Party and what we are doing today is actually, we’re standing behind a candidate in Trevor Hicks, right. So can I just say this? Absolutely, I stand here today with Michael McCormack who is the Deputy Prime Minister and we're going to work together for the people of Eden-Monaro. This isn't about us. This is actually about the people of Eden-Monaro and actually about now, the candidate we're putting forward in Trevor, in Trevor Hicks. So from here onwards, what we're going to talk about are the issues, the issues around bushfires, the impact on the community, the loss of business, small businesses feeling pressure, the drought is affecting our farmers, most importantly, what I want to remind people is that they've tried with the Liberal Party and they failed with Peter Hendy. They've tried with the Labor Party and unfortunately in Opposition, you can't deliver. Now they've got a chance to look at The Nationals.
JOURNALIST:
Will The Nationals direct their preferences to the Liberal Party?
JOHN BARILARO:
You know, one of the great things about the grassroots National Party is, you know, we always encourage our voters to vote any particular way they like. The executive will have to make this decision at a future time. Today at this stage, we've got a candidate in front of you, but I'll make this clear. We are not…there is no such Party as the Coalition. We are the National Party. We are a stand-alone Party. We're not the lap dog. We're not the junior partner. We are a Party that delivers for the bush. We'll make those decisions as we need to but you know, at the end of the day, the voters of Eden-Monaro will decide where their preferences go.
JOURNALIST:
Mr Barilaro, you say that this isn’t about really Mr McCormack. You are respective leaders of your respective parties at a State and Federal level. Voters will be looking to the leadership of The National Party to see the direction forward. How can you two stand here endorsing a candidate when you can barely stand next to each other, when you can barely stand each other?
JOHN BARILARO:
Yeah, well, that's your opinion and the media will try and play in this space. I stand here today with Michael McCormack.
JOURNALIST:
But you have expressed you're opinions about the Deputy Prime Minister.
JOHN BARILARO:
You’ve probably have expressed opinions in the past about a lot of things and you know, people have opinions that come and go. Today I stand here with Michael McCormack, united. We'll be working together over the next three and a half weeks to make sure that the people of Eden-Monaro have an option and that option is Trevor Hicks.
JOURNALIST:
Do you acknowledge that he is your leader now?
JOHN BARILARO:
Michael McCormack is the Deputy Prime Minister of this country. He leads the Federal National Party. I lead the New South Wales National Party. One of the things that we will always put first is our communities. We've done that. Drought, bushfire we keep supporting, infrastructure. You know, the regions have done well under a National Party in a Coalition in Government and that’s what we will continue to do.
JOURNALIST:
Do you regret sending that text message?
JOHN BARILARO:
I'm not making any comment on that text message.
JOURNALIST:
Why not?
JOHN BARILARO:
I'm making no comment.
JOURNALIST:
Why?
JOHN BARILARO:
Any other questions?
JOURNALIST:
Do you still believe in the style of his leadership?
JOHN BARILARO:
Let’s continue on with other questions. Anyone else? Alright, you’ve got a question for Michael.
JOURNALIST:
Thank you on the statement from China, they're saying it's not safe for their citizens to travel to Australia, the reason being that there's been a significant rise in racist attacks. What do you make of that statement and will this cause further damage in the relations between China and Australia?
MICHAEL MCCORMACK:
Well, it's a rather moot point, because at the moment, there is no travel, travelling happening between China and Australia. But let me say this, Australia is a very welcoming country. And we're certainly mindful of the fact that we've got $149.7 billion trade with China. We are very respectful. We are very mindful that we need to exercise respect at every level and that's what we do. You know, various people will make various statements about all sorts of things, but anybody from China who is in Australia is most welcome to be here.
JOURNALIST:
How damaging would it be if we did see a significant drop off in the number of Chinese tourism and tourists in Australia?
MICHAEL MCCORMACK:
Well, it's a hypothetical question because we haven't seen that drop off and people from China know that. This is a great country to come and visit. I mean, look at this area here. It is magnificent. It's one of the jewels in the crown of regional New South Wales and we want people from China, from anywhere in the world to come, to experience Australia for all that it has. Australia is a very welcoming, very multicultural country and it will continue to be that.
JOURNALIST:
Do you reject then, what China is saying that there has been a significant increase in racist and violent attacks on Chinese and Asian people?
MICHAEL MCCORMACK:
I think the allegations made are based on false information.
JOURNALIST:
There are Black Lives Matter protests taking place across Australia today, should people be out given what is going on with the pandemic?
MICHAEL MCCORMACK:
Well, you know, we've always respected people's right to protest and people's right to exercise their democratic freedoms and I do that again today but the fact is, you know, they should be exercising social distancing and they shouldn't be in numbers above what the medical experts who said, you know, we are, again, I say a very mindful country of tolerance, respect and we'll go on being that. You know, there was a protest in Wagga today. A march in Wagga today where 500 people marched. Well, that's too many. That's too many. But so long as they stayed, you know, wide enough apart well and it was, as I understand, as the Superintendent of Wagga Wagga Police Bob Noble said, it was a very peaceful protest. And so, you know, people are willing and welcome to, you know, demonstrate and do those sorts of things. What we don't want to see though is a second wave and I know that anybody in politics or a community leader, anybody at all doesn't want to see a second wave of coronavirus outbreaks because we've done very well so far. We've maintained and minimised the number of cases and we've done very well to minimise the death to 102 people. Now of course, there's 102 families without loved ones and we respect that. We offer our sympathies and condolences to those people who've lost loved ones. But what we don't want to see is what we have seen on our television screens and read about and heard about overseas and that is second waves and the numbers of cases increasing and the number of mortalities happening. What we don't see is that in Australia.
JOURNALIST:
Why do you think China is issuing travel advice based on false information [indistinct]?
MICHAEL MCCORMACK:
Well, that there hasn't been a wave of outbreaks of violence against Chinese people. I don't know why this has been stated. I don't know. I don’t know what was in the thinking of the organisation or the person who made the statement. But all I can say is the statement is not true.
JOURNALIST:
Do you think it's in retaliation to yesterday's announcement regarding foreign investment?
MICHAEL MCCORMACK:
Well our foreign investment laws have been strengthened. Yes. We put a temporary measure in place to protect distressed farmland and agri-businesses when COVID first started and we've put a discussion paper and we've put our legislation out for draft exposure at the moment. What we want to do is strengthen our foreign investment laws and that's what people have asked for. That's what people are going to get. We want to make sure that any investment from overseas and let's face it, foreign investment has made this great country what it is today, but it has to be in the national interest. And that doesn't matter where it comes from, whether it's Asia, whether it's America, whether it's Europe, wherever the investment is coming from, it has to be in the Australian national interest.
JOURNALIST:
But Deputy Prime Minister, we’ve seen Australia take action with foreign interference rules, banned Huawei. We’ve seen Australia take a stance to call for an independent inquiry – all seemingly harmless action. China has imposed tariffs on barley, responded with other trade measures. We make an announcement we made yesterday and then they make their announcement warning against travel to Australia. Is this a coordinated line of attack from China to try and threaten Australia's economic entity?
MICHAEL MCCORMACK:
Rest assured, your Federal Liberal Nationals in Government will always do things in the national interest in putting Australians first and foremost.
JOURNALIST:
What's the earliest do you think we could see overseas travel resumed?
MICHAEL MCCORMACK:
Oh well that remains on the number of cases. That remains to be seen on how we continue to fare and we ask Australians to continue to be their best selves. Follow the advice of the Chief Medical Officer, Professor Brendan Murphy. He has led the Australian Health Protection Principal Committee very, very well and Australians, we thank them again for doing what they've done. If they haven't already downloaded the COVIDSafe app, please do so because it will protect you. It will protect loved ones, it will also protect those people who you don't even know. And so what we want to do is make sure that we continue, as we go through the colder months of winter, continue to get through this crisis and it is a crisis. It's a crisis on a health front. It's a crisis on an economic front. But we've done very well to manage both so far and we want to maintain that and we will maintain that as a responsible Government.
JOURNALIST:
Do you hold any ill feelings towards John Barilaro-
MICHAEL MCCORMACK:
Not at all.
JOURNALIST:
-after those text messages and does it threaten to overshadow your campaign?
MICHAEL MCCORMACK:
Not at all. John and I know that we have got an outstanding candidate in Trevor Hicks. We're both very much behind him and John and I share so many interests. We want to make sure that if there’s mobile phone coverage, then it's right. If it's a water issue, then it's…we want to make sure that we're on the same page as that. On building infrastructure, John and I are very much on the same on the same path as that. We want to build better roads. We want to build better community infrastructure and we've worked very, very closely since 2011 when John was first elected to the New South Wales Parliament, we knew each other before that, we will continue to work for the people of New South Wales and for the people of regional Australia. That's what we've always done. That's what we’ll continue to do and we’ll work beside this bloke because in Trevor, we know we’ve got an outstanding candidate and we’re going to back him all the way, all the way to polling day and then we’ll both very much look forward to going Canberra and watching him make his inaugural speech, hopefully in the Parliament.
JOURNALIST:
Deputy Prime Minister, can I ask you about the state of the economy. We’ve seen in the US markets rebound. Is it a positive sign for Australia that maybe we could see economic turn around here in the coming weeks and months?
MICHAEL MCCORMACK:
Absolutely. It gives business confidence and I know that the Treasurer Josh Frydenberg and, you know, our Cabinet at large and our Government have been doing everything that we can to cushion the effects of COVID-19. And, of course, you know, the relief and recovery efforts from the bushfires, you know, from the drought. We put $8 billion on the table for drought assistance. We've put $2 billion on the table for the National Bushfire Recovery Agency, we've invested more than $260 billion indeed for COVID-19. We are doing everything that we can to keep people attached to businesses, everything that we can to make sure that people have a job and making sure that we do everything we can for those people who slip through the cracks. And so the JobSeeker, the JobKeeper and the JobMaker are good initiatives and I know that we can ensure that we can continue to talk about the issues that matter to people, whether it's jobs, whether it's education for their kids, whether it's health services, that's what this bloke’s going to do. That's what Trevor Hicks is all about. He's about better health services, better infrastructure, better education services, better mobile phone service. That's what Trevor's going to be talking about. I'm looking forward to campaigning with him and John over the next four weeks. It's going to be a whirlwind campaign but we're up for the job aren’t we Trevor?
TREVOR HICKS:
For sure.
JOURNALIST:
Mr Hicks, can I ask, do you believe the response to the bushfire has been adequate, in terms of support for the community?
TREVOR HICKS:
The response to the bushfires as has been sufficient to now. We've got to continue to make sure that no one gets left behind. We've got to also deal with the COVID-19 issues with the tourism and we've got to create jobs down the coast in terms of forestry and in tourism and in the fishing industry. We've got such a diverse electorate that we've got to focus on everyone and make sure that there's no one who gets left behind whether it's fires, drought, or COVID.
JOURNALIST:
Mr Barilaro, just on a State issue, regional tourism starting this weekend, people in Sydney can get out and about and maybe hit the regions?
JOHN BARILARO:
Yeah, absolutely fantastic. If you look at the numbers already this weekend, they're travelling up to the regions. I was out in Bathurst yesterday and travelling throughout you see the clubs, pubs, restaurants and cafes are up and running. Combination houses, we've got some data back from Airbnb and Stayz and some of the other big players and bookings as high as this time last year. So the message is clear – get out in the regions, come have a beer, see what we've got to show. Our tourism products are there and mate, there's no better time to fill our cash registers than now.
JOURNALIST:
And Mr Barilaro, around the protests that are happening in Sydney this afternoon, what’s your message for those thinking of going along?
JOHN BARILARO:
Mate, you know, I'm not the Deputy Premier of Law and Order. At the end of the day, don't breach the rules. You know, we've done a mighty job as a nation, as a State to keep this spread down. I mean, suppress the economy. You know, we've got job losses. 221,000 people have lost their jobs in March, unemployment running at 6.2 per cent and if it wasn't for JobKeeper, that would have already been double digits. You could spoil all that by breaching the social distancing of rules and the process this afternoon, what they applied for was one thing, what they are now proposing is completely different. We had the Supreme Court injunction and the reality is that they’re breaching the rules and we have no acceptance for anyone breaching the rules and regardless what the issues are, we're all passionate about these issues. We're all passionate about why we protest. We do live in a great democracy but the rules at the moment are clear. You can't because of social distancing. All lives matter when it comes to those that may get COVID.
JOURNALIST:
Should people be arrested?
JOHN BARILARO:
Absolutely. If it was up to me, you should arrest people that breach the rules and the law. That's what the law is there for. Those that have organised it, if it's against the law, they should pay the price.
JOURNALIST:
So should they be cancelling the protest?
JOHN BARILARO:
Absolutely. They know they should be cancelling the protests. They could have approached us with a smaller number that's within the rules and apply social distancing. They have admitted that they won't be able to manage social distancing. How can we have one rule for protesters and a different rule for those who want to go to the footy or go have a drink at the pub?
MICHAEL MCCORMACK:
Or a funeral.
JOHN BARILARO:
Or a funeral or a wedding.
JOURNALIST:
Mr Hicks, just one more local question, if I may. What's your view on culling wild horses in National Parks?
TREVOR HICKS:
I'm an ancestor from the mountain men. My mother was a Webster and my great, great grandfather was buried in Corryong. I'd like to see the horses deserve the right to stay. But we've got to do the numbers and have a look at it.
JOURNALIST:
Can you acknowledge that they are doing damage at the moment to the National Parks?
TREVOR HICKS:
Not that I’ve seen.
JOURNALIST:
And what's your position on climate change?
TREVOR HICKS:
It's certainly important. An issue for the electorate and in Queanbeyan we’ve had surveys and everyone acknowledges that it’s an important issue but at the moment we-
JOURNALIST:
But your personal position?
TREVOR HICKS:
We're facing a very drastic situation in our job situation in the electorate on bushfires, on drought. We need to look at that first and certainly address the climate issue as well.
JOURNALIST:
Mr McCormack, just one final one, you’ve stood here today with the candidate and with the man you’ve had some terse exchanges with, do you trust John Barilaro?
MICHAEL MCCORMACK:
A man I’ve had some good exchanges with too actually.
JOURNALIST:
Do you trust John Barilaro?
MICHAEL MCCORMACK:
Of course I do. Of course I do. There you go. There’s your answer.
JOURNALIST:
And Mr Barilaro, one thing you could say nice about Mr McCormack?
JOHN BARILARO:
One thing, he’s leading the country at a time, with the Prime Minister, when there's anxiety and fear like we've never seen before. There's no playbook on how to manage COVID-19 and you actually achieve that with strong leadership and the strong leaders of the Federal Government have been the Prime Minister and the Deputy Prime Minister in Michael McCormack. Michael fights for the regions. Michael fights for the same issues that I fight for each and every day. But we’re all individual people who are able to express ourselves and Michael has my support. We're going to be united in this campaign, because we want actually the people of Eden-Monaro to see an option outside of the usual Liberal and Labor Party fight for Eden-Monaro.
JOURNALIST:
So just confirming that you regret, do you regret the text messages?
JOHN BARILARO:
I'm not going to entertain the questions around those texts messages. They've ended up in the public domain. I've never confirmed or denied … I'm going to leave it at that.
MICHAEL MCCORMACK:
Thanks guys.