Ben Fordham's interview with Scott Morrison
- Written by Ben Fordham
BEN FORDHAM: Prime Minister, good morning to you.
PRIME MINISTER: Good morning Ben.
FORDHAM: I know you've been texting with the French President this morning. Can you tell us what you know?
PRIME MINISTER: Well, we don't know anything further than what's been out there publicly reported. I mean, sadly, this terrible and disgraceful and disgusting attack that has occurred in France has been widely seen and widely reported, and that is what has occurred. It is just the most callous and cowardly and vicious act of barbarism by terrorists and should be condemned in the strongest possible way. I was able to contact President Macron last night. He and I have a very good relationship and just said we stood with him. And just the heartache that would be going across the French people today as it shudders through the rest of the world is, is hard to put into words. But he greatly appreciated the contact and the support that he knows he has from the people of Australia. We share values. We stand for the same things. And he was pleased that you know we're standing with him, as we should.
FORDHAM: While most leaders around the world have rightly condemned this attack, you've got the former Prime Minister of Malaysia, Mahathir Mohamad, who says Muslims have a right to be angry and to kill millions of French people.
PRIME MINISTER: Well, of course, that is just an absolutely absurd statement. I mean, of course, they don't have that right. That is just abhorrent to suggest anyone would have such a right. I mean, the only thing that should be said today is to completely condemn those attacks. And we do. That, that should be the response and it's certainly Australia's response. And I, I do not believe that is the view of Muslims. I believe that, you know, this is a very, very awful thing that has occurred. And just at the sheer human level, the only response is just to be utterly, utterly devastated by this and to stand with those and the families who are suffering just so much.
FORDHAM: On local issues PM the Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk will make an announcement on borders today. The Courier Mail is reporting this morning that she will keep the border closed to New South Wales, but will reopen to some regional parts. But apparently the announcement today is not set to be the one that a lot of people from Sydney at least were hoping for. What's your message to Annastacia Palaszczuk?
PRIME MINISTER: Make decisions on the basis of health advice and be transparent about it. It's just very hard often to get a clear steer on what's behind these decisions. The comeback in Australia Ben has started. I mean Australia is opening up again. We've all committed to have Australia fully open by Christmas and we need to move towards that. I mean, the tracing and testing systems, that's what enables Australia to go forward. And we've looked at the Queensland systems and the Queensland systems are good. So it's important for the economy to get moving again to ensure that people get their jobs back. But it has to be done safely. You've got to safely open to remain safely open right across the country. We're seeing that now in Victoria and that's welcome. I see even in Western Australia today, there's, there's a suggestion that they might be moving down that track as well. I welcome all that. But, you know, we can't stay stuck in neutral. We've got to keep, we've got to gear up again. We've got to get going again and do it safely.
FORDHAM: Can we just clarify the state of play with the Australia Post boss, Christine Holgate? She's under fire for spending $20,000 of taxpayers money on Cartier watches for her executives. She says she has not been stood down. Is that correct?
PRIME MINISTER: Well, that's a matter between the Australia Post board and her. That's where the communications have been so it really is for them.
FORDHAM: You said in parliament...
PRIME MINISTER: It's a government business enterprise. The Government owns Australia Post on behalf of taxpayers, which is why we've set out our very clear standards on this. But the direct engagement between the board and Ms. Holgate is for the board.
FORDHAM: You did intervene in that, though, in parliament. You said the chief executive has been instructed to stand aside. If she doesn't wish to do that, she can go.
PRIME MINISTER: That was my statement and I stand by it.
FORDHAM: So she's been instructed to stand aside by whom?
PRIME MINISTER: I'll leave that to the Australia Post board to respond to.
FORDHAM: The Cartier watches were a bad look, I think we all know that. But they were purchased as a reward for executives who had improved the bottom line by about $75 million. Is that not value for money? And a case of if you have a go, you get a go. The bottom line was improved by $75 million. So she spent $20,000 on Cartier watches. A bad look, but isn't it value for money for taxpayers?
PRIME MINISTER: Well, the terms of enquiry and the investigation go far broader than that Ben. It just doesn't go to the matter that you've referred to. But the key thing here Ben, is, is this is a government business enterprise. It's owned by the taxpayers of Australia. So every dollar that goes to Australia Post is managed on behalf of Australian taxpayers and it should be done in a way that respects the taxpayers.
FORDHAM: A lot of people are coming out from the business world saying she's a pretty impressive leader, Christine Holgate. Marcus Blackmore says Blackmore's business has been dismal since Christine left and on the events of the past week, he says you wouldn't do this to your dog. She might have been out of line, but don't crucify her. I saw what it did to her she was crying for days.
PRIME MINISTER: Well, Ben, what has happened is she's been asked to stand aside, is my understanding, while an investigation takes place and that's what is occurring in a number of other parts of the government. That's what happens when there are issues like this to be considered and dealt with. And that's what's occurred. This is taxpayers money that has been managed on behalf of a government business enterprise. And it's important that there are standards there and not just for Australia Post, but right across all the government business enterprises and agencies that are there. Government departments. The same thing. I think that's what Australians expect. There's a proper investigation and we'll wait for the recommendations to come back from that, that enquiry.
FORDHAM: So if she's cleared by that enquiry, you'll welcome her back?
PRIME MINISTER: Well, I'll let the investigation do its job Ben. I'm not going to prejudge it.
FORDHAM: Yesterday, there was a lot of drama involving the State of Origin and the national anthem. They decided the NRL that they were not going to play Advance Australia Fair before the Origin Games and then you picked up the phone to the NRL boss, Peter V'Landys. Can you tell us a bit about that call?
PRIME MINISTER: Yeah well, I did. I look, I saw it and I contacted Peter. It was a very polite and friendly call. And I really appreciate Peter hearing me out and he feels very strongly about the fans and what the fans would, would want to have to occur. And I appreciated him reconsidering that decision and talking to his commissioners and coming to a different view very very quickly. And so I appreciate the way that they handled that. I like the fact you can pick up the phone and have an adult conversation about this and for the matter to be addressed. So I'd like to commend them for the speed in which they acted.
FORDHAM: And is it right that you said there's never been a more important time for Aussies to be able to celebrate by singing the national anthem?
PRIME MINISTER: Well, yes, I did and this was the key thing that Peter and I discussed and he immediately, I think, appreciated that. I mean, it's been an incredibly tough year. The anthem is there so we can all come together. I mean, yes it’s state against state, mate against mate, all that sort of thing but it's all Australians gathering together and this has been I think part of the institution of Origin ever since it began and this year more than any other, I felt it when I was at the NRL grand final last weekend, my team wasn't in the contest but there we all were. We sung the national anthem together, it's always a moving time and look, I respect what, how others might if they sing it don't sing it whatever, that's a democratic country as well. They can choose how to respond to it themselves there's no issue I have there, but you know we sing we sing our national anthem and it's there to bring us together.
FORDHAM: Now, I've only got about 30 seconds until I've got to go but yesterday, the Labor MP, Chris Hayes collapsed while delivering a speech in parliament. Is he okay?
PRIME MINISTER: My understanding is he is, he's been in hospital overnight. I haven't had an update this morning. Chris Hayes is a great bloke. Chris and I have been in the parliament, I think he got there a little bit earlier than I did and he's well-liked by everybody. He's just a really decent bloke. Bernadette and his family, I know Bernadette will be down, is down here with him and we wish you all the best if you're listening Chris, mate, and just don't rush back. You get well. Okay.
FORDHAM: That's the main thing. Well, look, I know it's a busy morning for you with briefings from France and to anyone in Australia with connections to France. We send our love to everyone this morning and PM thanks so much for joining us on it.
PRIME MINISTER: Yes and anyone who has family there, they can obviously contact DFAT, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, if they're looking to get any additional information, we're getting reports from our consular offices. Our information presently is no Australians have been involved in or been hurt but obviously we continue to receive reports but that's my understanding.
FORDHAM: Always appreciate your time. We know how busy you are. Thanks, PM. Prime Minister Scott Morrison live on the line with us.
The Bulletin
