Doorstop interview - Cairns

MATT SMITH, LABOR CANDIDATE FOR LEICHHARDT: Thank you all for coming along today. I am Matt Smith the federal candidate for the ALP for the federal seat of Leichhardt. I'm here with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, Minister Catherine King and of course Senator Nita Green for some really exciting announcements today, not just for the seat of Leichhardt but for all of Australia. A lot around social housing on the Cape, which is absolutely fantastic. In and of itself social housing is really needed up there. We're looking at, we understand the issues that overcrowding creates, and this is part of that solution. But if you take a further view from that, it's going to provide jobs. Someone is going to have to have to build these houses, put in these rows, do the core infrastructure. That provides opportunity for employment and economic diversity in some of these areas, which is absolutely fantastic news. The other announcements around the Growing the Regions program, I want to touch upon one in particular. I used to work for the Cairns Regional Council. There's a lot of talk about me being a basketball player. Pretty sure I was a better basketball player than pickleball player today, but that's okay. But I finished playing in the NBL in 2009. So, since then, I've been working primarily in community development. As a part of that, I was a part of some of these projects, the Redlands Sporting Precinct and the Cairns Multicultural Hub. Just a few weeks ago, Julian Hill and I met with some of the multicultural leaders in this community, and they pleaded, implored us to build this centre. They said, this is the place where we can celebrate and share our culture. That is a beautiful and powerful sentiment, and because of people standing here with me today, we're going to be able to do that. And that's a story that's replicated, not just here in Leichhardt, but right across Australia, and that's why, I'm really proud to stand up here with the Prime Minister and Minister King to make these announcements.

ANTHONY ALBANESE, PRIME MINISTER: Well, thanks very much, Matt. And it's great to be back here in the electorate of Leichhardt. I must say, one of the most beautiful parts of Australia is here in Far North Queensland. And here in this centre, I want to thank the PCYC for the very warm welcome here today, both those people who work with young people who come to this centre but also thank some of the young Queenslanders who had a bit of a hit with us earlier today. It was fantastic to meet with you. And indeed, I was reminded that this very centre is a product of regional development funding when I was the Minister, when I had Catherine's job back in 2010. And we see the difference that it makes over many years of providing young people with opportunity to engage with each other and, importantly, as well to interact with adults, including the people from the police force as well, and to engage and to build relationships and to build that sense of community. Today, I'm very pleased that we have $50 million of announcements. This is an example of how we are, as a Government, investing in Australia's future. We're investing in housing infrastructure, but we're also investing in local communities as well, right throughout regional Australia in particular. Our $25 million through our Housing Support Program will fund five projects in this region. In Pormpuraaw, in Napranum, in Seisia, in Bamaga and in New Mapoon. This will provide support for additional houses to be built. We know this is a major issue in regional Australia and in communities, including in some of the more remote areas. Overcrowding in housing can create not just health issues but social issues as well. This infrastructure investment will enable more houses to be built. And it comes on top of the $25 million which Catherine King, the Minister, will go through for seven community projects in Far North Queensland as well. This comes on top of the significant infrastructure investment that we're making in the Bruce Highway. Here we are at the end of the Bruce Highway. When I was the Minister, we funded the sudden approaches to Cairns and upgraded significant parts of the Highway to the south of here. This $7.2 billion will make a difference in making the Bruce Highway safer but also improving productivity and freight along what is a key artery for Queensland's economy and therefore a key artery for the national economy as well. This election in 2025 will be about my Government prepared to commit to support people during cost of living pressures which are on but also building Australia's future. And Peter Dutton with a plan of opposing all of our cost of living measures but also wanting to take Australia backwards. The only costing that has been put out by Peter Dutton is one that relies upon 40 per cent less energy being used in Australia by 2050. That means less jobs, less economic activity, less manufacturing, less things built here in Queensland and throughout Australia. All for a plan that Queensland Senator Matt Canavan has said is just essentially about a political fix for the Coalition. Not a serious plan, but a distraction saying that we'll just stop all the investment that's happening in Queensland, including projects that I visited here in the north of Queensland, like Big Kennedy, Little Kennedy, Kidston. All of these projects around Hughenden that are creating jobs through renewable energy and creating that activity, connecting with the grid through the Copper String project. All of that being dismissed in favour of a nuclear plan for some time in the 2040s, which will be the most expensive form of new energy and will lead to an increase in power bills of at least $1,200. I'll turn to Minister King now to outline the community infrastructure projects that have received approval. And then we'll hear from the local Senator who does such an amazing job here in Cairns and indeed throughout regional Queensland in Nita Green.

CATHERINE KING, MINISTER FOR INFRASTRUCTURE, TRANSPORT, REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT: Thanks very much, Prime Minister. And it is fantastic to be back here in Cairns. And we are announcing today, obviously, stream two of the Housing Support Program here in Cairns but also round two of the Growing Regions Program. This is a program that really is focused on liveability in our regions, making sure that community infrastructure that really helps the social fabric of our communities. It's the places where young people not only play sport, but it's where they actually learn to participate in teamwork, to collaborate together, and it's really critical to social cohesion. We're really pleased to partner with local government, with PCYCs across the country, as well as regional council, regional communities as well. So, today we're announcing seven projects for Far North Queensland. And I particularly want to acknowledge Matt Smith's advocacy in relation to these projects. He is a fantastic candidate for Leichhardt and he will make an amazing member because he knows these projects, he knows these communities and he knows just how important sport and these projects are for the way in which young people grow up in our communities. So, of course, we're announcing here at the PCYC, $2 million. It builds on our previous commitments when we were in government. And we've also heard today they've got some money across some of the PCYCs up here from the Attorney-General's Department to actually employ some youth workers, to particularly focus on that younger generation to make sure that they're participating. There's $4 million for the Cairns Community and Multicultural Centre, Redlynch Community Sporting Precinct, as well as a cultural knowledge centre in Dixie for the Olkola people. We're also fixing up the shared cycleway and pedestrian paths at Mapoon. We know that's a really important community. They've suffered some events in recent days that we really want to make sure that community is able to rebuild its cultural centre but really have active transport as well. Wujal Wujal, again, a community that really has suffered significant weather events - rebuilding their civic hub and their community centre to be able to make sure people can work there. And also a digital services centre at Hope Vale. We'll release all of the Growing Regions Program funding announcements for the whole of Queensland in the next day or so. But we thought it was great, given we're up here with the Bruce Highway announcement, $7.2 billion to fix the Bruce and to really invest in road safety, a great opportunity to make those Growing Regions announcements here while we're in Cairns. And I'm really again delighted both of the advocacy of Matt Smith and, of course, our fabulous Senator Nita Green, who does such a great job representing this region as well. Thanks, Prime Minister.

NITA GREEN, LABOR SENATOR FOR QUEENSLAND: Thank you so much, Catherine. And thank you to everyone, particularly the PCYC team for having us here today. Well, this week I'm a very proud Queenslander, but today I'm a very proud Far North Queenslander. Because not only have we delivered a significant Bruce Highway announcement of $7.2 billion that will change the lives of people in Queensland, but today we're announcing $50 million of projects right here in Far North Queensland. And I'm very proud of these projects, particularly because they range all the way from Cairns to Cape York. They cover off communities desperately in need of this type of infrastructure. And they cover off the types of projects that we know will make a significant difference to our communities. Of course, as the Prime Minister mentioned, housing is something that is discussed with us, particularly in the regions. And Far North Queensland is not alone. So, this housing support program will deliver the infrastructure that's needed for those regional communities to start to build the social housing that is so desperately needed in those communities. But of course, the community infrastructure we're delivering today will also make a difference in the lives of children, of families and communities who want a place to be brought together, to discuss, to be together and to plan for the future as well. And that's what we are doing today. It's really exciting to be here with Matt Smith. And can I say, he is a champion on the basketball court, but he's a champion for our community. As he mentioned, he finished playing a little while ago, about 15 years ago, but spent the rest of that time in Cairns working on community development projects, working on projects like the Redlynch Sporting Precinct, like the Community Multicultural Centre. These are projects that epitomise what it would be like to have a candidate like Matt in Parliament House advocating for Far North Queensland. That's why I'm really proud to stand next to Matt Smith today. I'm not going to stand next to him on the pickle ball court or the basketball court anytime soon. And I'm very proud to stand up for him and continue to fight for Far North Queensland. Because whether it's $7.2 billion for the Bruce Highway or $7 million for Wujal Wujal that we're delivering today, we are listening to communities in Queensland and we are delivering. We're building Australia's future. We're building Queensland's future. And proudly today for Matt and I, we're building Far North Queensland's future as well. Thank you very much to the Prime Minister for being here and thank you, everyone.

PRIME MINISTER: Happy to take some questions.

JOURNALIST:(Inaudible).

PRIME MINISTER: I expect that we'll win more than one seat. I'd be very disappointed if we won one seat in Queensland, given we currently hold more than that. But I haven't seen a better candidate in the entire time I've been in politics than Matt Smith here in Leichhardt. This is a guy who is well-known. We don't have to worry too much about a thousand corflutes around because everyone knows him. We launched the campaign at the Show some months ago. And Matt knew everybody that we ran into at the Show. I've been with him here in Leichhardt now a few times and he seems to know everybody in this local community. And that's not just because of what he was able to achieve on the court as a basketball champion. It's what he's been able to achieve as a community activist as well. Someone who's worked for the council, someone who's been a strong advocate for this local community. And Warren Entsch is someone who is from the other side of politics but I have a lot of respect for. I have a good relationship with Warren. The truth is that Warren has chosen to retire and that opens up a huge gap. Warren was very passionate about advocating for this community. Matt Smith will be at least as passionate as a member of our Government. And I think that he will be an extraordinary local representative here in Far North Queensland. And I'm so pleased that he agreed to be the candidate. We met at Brothers Leagues Club just after the last election. I was introduced to Matt, I met his family and immediately I was taken by the fact that he would be the best candidate we could possibly put forward.

JOURNALIST: Are you concerned that efforts to list Cape York Peninsula on the World Heritage List will fall over if the current Queensland Government doesn't follow through with its support?

PRIME MINISTER: No. Well, they're saying consultation. I'm always in favour of more consultation and getting things right. So, you know, those things take years and years to progress. So, my focus is on making a difference here and now in the coming year and coming term of government. That's what we're seeking.

JOURNALIST: Do you think a World Heritage listing then would be able to happen in the next term of the Federal Government?

PRIME MINISTER: These things take a long period of time. That's the truth of the matter. And they're subject to a whole range of considerations. I know that in the past they have taken a very long period of time.

JOURNALIST:(Inaudible). Does that show that the Government is holding up approvals for coal mines?

PRIME MINISTER: No. It's a good thing that approvals happen according to the law for projects, whatever they may be, under the EPBC Act. And that is the way that we operate. And that is what the Minister has done. There have been a range of expansions or proposals, including in coal and gas, that have been approved. There's a range of renewable energy projects that have been approved as well. It's important that these things be all done on their merit.

JOURNALIST:(Inaudible).

PRIME MINISTER: Well, you have a look at Peter Dutton. He doesn't have a plan for the future. He has a plan to stop investment in Australia. I know what is certain, which is that a plan that says that there will be 40 per cent less energy use in Australia by 2050 is a plan for less economic activity, is a plan for less jobs, is a plan for less new industries, is a plan for a smaller Australia. I mean, Peter Dutton was looking for a vision. He got out the telescope and he looked down the wrong end. He looked at this myopic vision that he has for the country. If we are smart, if we are really smart, there is no country better positioned to take advantage of the opportunity that is there from the transformation to net zero that is happening globally than Australia. A company like Rio Tinto that is transitioning at Gladstone, making sure that aluminium refineries can continue to operate, powered by renewables with gas providing that firming capacity and looking at moving towards green hydrogen in the future. Providing that opportunity that we have because of the nature of the new economy that is emerging around the world. And there is first mover advantage in many of these things. That is why it's important that we not go backwards, that we not say, 'No, we won't do anything at all, we'll stop all investment in Australia while we wait for some nuclear fantasy sometime in the 2040s to emerge'. That's the contrast. That's the opportunity that Australia has. That's the choice that Australia has. Whether to go forward with practical plans, creating jobs, looking after cost of living, having a future made in Australia. Or going backwards, costing more and having a smaller economy in the future.

JOURNALIST: A Sydney man has been charged over allegedly making gun gestures at a man outside synagogue. What is the Government doing about this?

PRIME MINISTER: Well, that's good that someone's been charged, as they should be. Anyone making a threat such as that, action should be taken. And that's a good thing by, I assume, the New South Wales Police.

JOURNALIST: And what's the Government doing?

PRIME MINISTER: I think you've just given the answer. Someone's been arrested. That is good. People who engage in activity designed to divide the community and driven by hate of antisemitism should have the full force of the law thrown at them.

JOURNALIST: You said you've got a lot of respect for Warren Entsch. Would you agree for the assessment that your Government had always underfunded the Cairns Marine Precinct?

PRIME MINISTER: No, my Government, when I was the Minister, we funded projects there. He was in government for 10 years. If you ask Warren Entsch in a quiet moment, he'll tell you about his disappointment about a lack of funding that occurred. We not only in terms of the Bruce Highway, but one of the fundings that we did as well was the road up into Cape York where we provided more than $200 million for that project.

JOURNALIST: How about the Daintree Microgrid project that Warren Entsch has been supportive of along with traditional owners in the Daintree?

PRIME MINISTER: Well, he's been supportive of it, but it didn't happen.

JOURNALIST: What's the future of the project under your Government?

PRIME MINISTER: If only he was in government for three terms.

JOURNALIST: What's the future of it?

PRIME MINISTER: If only he was in government for three terms. Projects are assessed based upon their merits. But Warren Entsch was a member of a Government for a long period of time.

JOURNALIST: What will you do to get properties in the Daintree off diesel generators though?

PRIME MINISTER: What we'll do is have proper examination and won't make promises without having detail and without having assessments. That is what we will do.

JOURNALIST: Are environmental approvals taking too long for resource projects? Has it been a disappointment for you that your Government really hasn't been out there getting in there (inaudible)?

PRIME MINISTER: We want to reform the Act. We want better approvals but we also want better sustainable outcomes as well. It's a combination of the No-alition the Liberals, the Nationals and the Greens that stop a range of reforms that occur. There was, of course, an assessment of the EPBC act which has been in place since the Howard Government. And we have engaged constructively, at this stage though, the Liberals, the Nationals, the Greens and the cross benchers - we have 25 votes in the Senate out of 76.

JOURNALIST: It was kyboshed by the Greens -

PRIME MINISTER: Well, that's not right. That's not right. And Labor plus the Greens, I'll give you the big tip, Greg, that doesn't add up to a majority. Even if, even if they agree and had their way with everything. Truth is, this has been before the Parliament for a long period of time and has not received support.

JOURNALIST: (Inaudible)

PRIME MINISTER: We don't make funds like this - we don't get out a colour coded spreadsheet like the former Government did and look at seats and electorates, and that's where, how we provide funding. What we do is, we receive submissions. We provide appropriate funding after proper assessments have been made.

JOURNALIST: What are the insurance (inaudible)?

PRIME MINISTER: I'll leave those questions to Stephen Jones, who's responsible.

JOURNALIST: (Inaudible)

PRIME MINISTER: What we do is wait for assessments. That's what we wait for.

JOURNALIST: On that note, have you got the (inaudible)?

PRIME MINISTER: We haven't yet, but we're working constructively with the Council. We put in over $107 million, we committed for that project before the election. That was what we were told, by them, that that was the costings. We provided that funding and I'm pleased construction is underway but we'll continue to work with the Council constructively.

JOURNALIST: You say you want four year terms, Peter Dutton does too. Why not put it to a referendum this year at the election?

PRIME MINISTER: Well, the Coalition always say at this stage in the cycle they support referendums, but then they don't. That happened with the Hawke Government when there was a referendum in the 1980s about four year terms, and after it was called, Peter Reith changed his mind. Everyone thought it was a good idea. The Whitlam Government tried the same thing. There's been a referendum tried twice on this very issue. And so, you know, the Coalition only have two answers to things, which is to say 'no' or to say, 'oh well, yeah, it's a good idea,' and then come up with a reason why they want to say 'no' as well.

JOURNALIST: You've come, in your trip here, it's a lot about focus on publicly funded infrastructure projects, housing projects. Why isn't there more of a focus on what you can do for private enterprise?

PRIME MINISTER: This helps private enterprise. When you have infrastructure built to help with housing through the Housing Support Program, that helps whoever wants to build houses. What it does is to build the infrastructure that's required. I noticed last year there was a bit of a hoo-ha. There was going to be eventually a policy announcement for Peter Dutton and they came up with a housing policy of something that's already happening through support for housing infrastructure. We already had - this is the second round of a program that's underway that's about facilitating investment in housing. Secondly as well, we had our Build to Rent program. You want to talk about blockages in the Senate. The Build to Rent program was held up for month after month after month. That was a program that had been worked through with the Property Council of Australia, with all of the building sector and construction sector to encourage private investment in rental properties, including some affordable components to it. That was blocked by the Coalition and blocked by the Greens. Eventually it went through the Senate in that last sitting day, or last sitting days, but the Coalition still voted against it. Like, they have voted against every single housing program that we have. They voted against social housing through the Housing Australia Future Fund and they say they'll abolish it. They voted against increased private rentals through the Build to Rent scheme and they say that they're opposed to it and I assume they'll try to repeal it if they're in office. And they opposed Help to Buy, that's not only about private construction, it's about private home ownership and they opposed it for month after month after month. Doesn't matter what area of housing, the Coalition have said no to home ownership, no to private rentals and no to social housing, as well. We have a $32 billion Homes for Australia Plan. That's a constructive plan, but it's been very difficult get getting it through the Senate. And eventually, eventually we got there.

JOURNALIST: Prime Minister, just on Leichhardt, the voters there have been, I think, incredibly loyal to Warren Entsch, really for decades. Why wouldn't they maintain that loyalty to the LNP going forward?

PRIME MINISTER: Warren Entsch has not stood for the seat of Leichhardt once, and the Labor Party through Jim Turner, won the seat that time, after the first time he retired. Any time when Warren Entsch has not been the candidate, Labor has won the seat. And before that, Peter Dodd, Mr. Gayler, going back many years. Leichhardt was held by the Labor Party throughout the entire Hawke and Keating Governments and it has been a stronghold. I noticed Cairns was one of the regional seats that was retained by Labor at the state election. And this is an area that understands the importance of jobs. They understand the importance of manufacturing, that understands the importance of action on climate change, given that so many jobs in this community rely upon the Great Barrier Reef as well, and the tourism sector. So, I'm very confident that in Matt Smith as well, we have the best candidate. He's the right candidate for the right time and I think he would be a show of winning the seat regardless of Warren Entsch's decision to retire. But there's just no question that the fact that the seat's vacant - I haven't seen Peter Dutton anywhere near the seat. Maybe I'm wrong. I don't know, any of the local journos want to tell me the last time he was in this seat? But I've been here pretty regularly as I am throughout Queensland, as I will continue to be so. And I will see some of you in Mount Isa, another great part of Queensland, tomorrow morning. Thanks very much.

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