Minister for Indigenous Australians
Subjects: Liberal leadership, Coalition chaos, Net Zero, power prices, Melbourne Cup
KARL STEFANOVIC, HOST: Another day means fresh speculation surrounding the Liberal Party and this morning Angus Taylor is emerging as the most likely contender to challenge Sussan Ley's leadership. Nationals Senator Bridget McKenzie and Northern Territory Senator Malarndirri McCarthy join us now to discuss on a day, I think it's unAustralian you'll have to be going to work today, you two. But anyway, we'll get onto that in a little bit. But, Bridget, so to borrow a line from Banjo Patterson, all the cracks are gathering at the fray. What's going to be the outcome for the Liberal Party?
BRIDGET McKENZIE, NATIONALS SENATOR: Look, Sussan Ley has one of the most difficult jobs in the Australian Parliament following the last election to rebuild the Liberal Party and we want her to be successful because we believe that the coalition is the best government for Australians to prosper under. And after a catastrophic loss, there's a lot of rebuilding to do. But it's, you know, the National Party's been getting on with the job of delivering an energy plan that's cheaper, better and fairer in the face of the reality of a net zero plan under Labor that's decimating our economy and having unfair burdens on the regions.
KARL STEFANOVIC: How do you possibly co-exist?
BRIDGET McKENZIE: Well, very easily, Karl. Our job is to stand up for our people and our industries and have a sensible plan for the way forward that's in the national interest. And the Liberals have made clear that they're also going through a process that hasn't finished yet. And when it has, we'll sit down and have a conversation.
KARL STEFANOVIC: Ok, Malarndirri, you're trying to get on with the job, obviously, at the moment, which is not all that difficult, I wouldn't have thought.
MALARNDIRRI McCARTHY, MINISTER FOR INDIGENOUS AUSTRALIANS: Well, we're certainly getting on with the job Karl, that's for sure.
KARL STEFANOVIC But no electricity relief either. Instead, you're forcing power companies to offer three hours of free power in the middle of the day to all Aussie households. Even though most experts say that that's not going to work, it'll actually force prices up.
MALARNDIRRI McCARTHY: Well, we've got a plan, Karl, and that is to have achievable targets. We've already outlined what we're going to do over the next 10 years in terms of reducing emissions, working with electricity, trying to reduce the costs for Australians. This scheme, in regards to rooftop solar -
BRIDGET McKENZIE: Well, it's not working Malarndirri.
MALARNDIRRI McCARTHY: Well, it hasn't started, in regards to this announcement today, Bridget.
BRIDGET McKENZIE: Prices are going up.
MALARNDIRRI McCARTHY: At least we're working for Australians instead of talking about ourselves. And let's have a look at what we're trying to do going forward. We have a decision and we are working towards it. We have to give confidence to the market, Karl. And that's what we're doing, unlike our opponents.
KARL STEFANOVIC: Okay, quickly, Bridget.
BRIDGET McKENZIE: Well, prices for energy have gone up 40%. We're shedding jobs. Look at what's happening in Tomago, right across our heavy industrial base across the country, jobs being lost and energy, sorry, companies moving offshore because Malarndirri's plan isn't working. And that's why, just like other leading nations around the globe, we're rethinking these aggressive targets.
MALARNDIRRI McCARTHY: And this from an opposition that is forever talking about itself, Bridget.
BRIDGET McKENZIE: Malarndirri, honestly, the people have had enough of your high price. The Reserve Bank's decision today will be based on the fact that you cannot get your budget under control and energy prices along with everything else -
MALARNDIRRI McCARTHY: Well, that's not correct. We've got stores across the country, 100 stores that have reduced their prices by up to 50% to improve cost of living.
BRIDGET McKENZIE: No-one believes you.
MALARNDIRRI McCARTHY: Well, go out to the remote regions, Bridget, instead of talking about yourself and your team here in parliament.
KARL STEFANOVIC: Alright, we're already running out of time and you ladies haven't even gone to parliament again today. Let's just finish with the Melbourne Cup. Let's just get on with it. Look, 90,000 expected here. It's a magnificent day in Melbourne. I won't hear another word about the weather. Who's your money on? Bridget?
BRIDGET McKENZIE: I was on Buckaroo, but given the wet track, I'm going to go Vauban. And ladies, pick up a bespoke pair of gumboots to take with your dress. Will look very fetching.
KARL STEFANOVIC: Malarndirri, what about you?
MALARNDIRRI McCARTHY: Well, let's see Jamie get across the line. Be good to see another female jockey win the Melbourne Cup.
KARL STEFANOVIC: Alright, and just before we go very quickly, how do you feel about Anthony Albanese and the fact that you've got to work today? Bridget, you're first up.
BRIDGET McKENZIE: Well, you know, I think the cup day is a wonderful celebration across this country. And to be sitting on Spring Racing Carnival I think is pretty difficult, particularly as we'll have to run out of question time to get to watch the race. So, it's unAustralian Albo.
MALARNDIRRI McCARTHY: Although you could keep us in question time for a bit longer, Bridget. But I imagine you guys might be on your phones listening as well as everyone else across the country. Look, good luck to everyone who's competing today.
KARL STEFANOVIC: Maybe some of them are going to be doing the numbers today of a different kind. Thank you, ladies. Great to see you.
