TRANSCRIPT: INTERVIEW ON BEN FORDHAM LIVE, 2GB, 2 July 2020

E&OE

Subject: Australian Made Logo;

BEN FORDHAM

Well, aren’t people fired up about this? Australia has decided to introduce a new logo, it’s a yellow wattle and it looks like the coronavirus symbol. The decision was made by the National Brand Advisory Council. The reaction on talkback radio has been fiery to say the least. And everyone's been wondering, why don't we just keep the kangaroo? We love the kangaroo. Everyone's had their say and now the Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack has his. Michael McCormack bright and early, thank you for joining us.

MICHAEL McCORMACK

Good morning, Ben.

BEN FORDHAM

What do you think of the logo?

MICHAEL McCORMACK

I think it looks pretty good. Look, I appreciate some people were hopping mad when it was claimed the kangaroo would disappear from our well-known, much-loved Australian Made Logo and what’ll they think of next to criticise us about, because it's actually not true. The marsupial is staying. We can have both flora and fauna, Ben. The Cootamundra gold wattle is to attract attention at International Trade Shows such as the one in Dubai next year. That 173 day exhibition of everything countries all around the world have to offer, but we know that Australian made is best. We know that Australian made is finest and the kangaroo will be on the Australian Made logo at that particular world fair and the wattle will also be there to attract attention. So I think it's a good idea.

BEN FORDHAM

Everyone's looking at the wattle wondering what it is. I mean, it's not really clear that it's yellow wattle. It's hard to decipher what it is exactly and it looks like the coronavirus symbol that we see behind the news readers on the TV when they're giving us an update about COVID-19. You're not honestly defending it, are you?

MICHAEL McCORMACK

But usually those coronavirus images are done in red, Ben. And this is clearly gold.

BEN FORDHAM

[Laughter] So the colour makes all the difference, does it?

MICHAEL McCORMACK

Well it does indeed. Absolutely it does. And you know, that's why Coke is obviously red because it's been used for decades. But everybody's logo is a standard bearer for what they represent. Just like the kangaroo, so much loved, so very well-known. It's been on Australian made products for years and years and it’s staying. I spoke to the Tourism Minister Simon Birmingham when this came up yesterday, when I was asked about it at the opening of the WestConnex tunnel yesterday. That was my reaction, all puns aside. The kangaroo has been an iconic image for Australia. It represents what we do and who we are, etc. It's been used on our Australian Made logos. Yes, the wattle is something new. Yes, it is there and the idea was to attract attention at world expos and trade fairs, etc. We make a lot of money out of those sorts of shows because it does bring attention to Australia.

BEN FORDHAM

Well, it certainly got some attention yesterday. I know it’d be unusual for yourself and Barnaby Joyce to disagree on something but Barnaby Joyce has described it as bird poo on the windscreen.

MICHAEL McCORMACK

Well, there you go. It is something which – no doubt – people are talking about and if they are talking about it, then they’re seeing it. They’re having a view on it and maybe, that’s a good thing too. Maybe as people walk past these Australian exhibitions at these various world fairs they’ll say, “what’s that? I’ll go and have a look at what’s inside and oh, it’s Australian made products!”

BEN FORDHAM

Yes, yes, yes, it was one giant publicity stunt. Thank you very much for being on the line so early.

MICHAEL McCORMACK

Good on you, Ben. Anytime at all.

Shane Manning