April 2, 2023 • 12 mins
The PM joined Clairsy & Lisa in the studio where they discussed his first year in the top job and explained in layman’s terms what exactly the Indigenous Voice to Parliament referendum is all about...
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Speaker 1 (00:02):
Busier than Prince Harry on the Worldwide Privacy Tour as
our Prime Minister, Anthony Open Easy.
Speaker 2 (00:07):
Good morning, good morning, great to be lovely to.
Speaker 1 (00:10):
Have you back in the studio. You flew in on
the weekend for the launch of the Resources Technology Showcase.
How was that?
Speaker 2 (00:17):
That was fantastic fun. All the extraordinary breakthroughs that are
happening in technology, in robotics and in using information technology
and really to drive productivity new equipment, big machines, but
also fun stuff as well that engages all these kids,
(00:41):
like there were thousands of them. It was the best
I've seen, the best I've seen, Barnann and the kids
were so enthusiastic.
Speaker 3 (00:52):
There was this.
Speaker 2 (00:52):
Scram I was worried going around with all the TV
cameras that some of the little kid was going to
get knocked over by a camera. But it was just
good fun, the enthusiasm that was there, and the beauty
is that it was really showing practically what the application
of science is and that's the future for this state
(01:15):
and this country is becoming the smart country. And if
even two percent of the kids who were there yesterday
afternoon and then outside as well with the big equipment,
building things with their families. If two percent of kids
(01:35):
who are there get inspired to study science, to become engineers,
to become technicians, to go and work in these vast industries,
that will grow. Looking at as we shift to cleaner technologies,
you know, making batteries and making more things here, then
(01:56):
that will be a great thing.
Speaker 3 (01:58):
Anthony, you told us on the hustings the federal election
you'd come back to perthon You'd come back to West
Australia a lot of times, but your schedule is must
be what's grueling. I felt like you were sitting there
in the seat of Aston and Victoria after the win
for Mary on the weekend, then all of a sudden
you're here. It's pretty I was.
Speaker 2 (02:12):
And I wake up in Hobart. Yes, but I look,
it was important that we acknowledge Mary's win was an
extraordinary thing, once in a century event. And Mary's such
a humble person. She's done it tough in her life.
She's grew up in public housing, she's raised kids on
(02:34):
her own, she's looked after her niece as well. She's
a cancer survivor. She's got this extraordinary story and I
think her genuineness and warmth really shone through. If anyone
was watching her speech on Saturday night, she was genuinely
humbled by it. And she'll be a great voice in
(02:54):
the Parliament, not just for Aston, but I think people
will really warm to her and it's good to have
people like that in the Parliament. She's certainly not someone
who who expected to be there. She ran last time
when it was the margin was above sixty percent, so
(03:16):
she got this big swing and then she got another one,
and I think in part that is because of who
Mary Doyle is and to her credit. And then I'd
given the commitment about the showcase, so I don't break commitments.
So we dashed across here and then I got to
go to the Derby.
Speaker 1 (03:36):
Yeah. Absolutely, you have kept true to your election promise
about you know, visiting w Way. This is your tenth
trip eleven eleven trip county within a year as Prime minister.
How is the first year gone? Oh well it's up
to judge. Will you get curveballs thrown it?
Speaker 3 (03:57):
Yeah?
Speaker 2 (03:57):
No one thought the Russian invasion of you would continue
for so long and have that impact on global inflation
that it has, so we've had to deal with that.
Those pressures, but it's a great privilege. I'm very cognizant
of the great honor that I have of leading this
(04:18):
the best country on earth. But it's also the best
thing is getting out and about and meeting people and
engaging with people. We took the entire cabinet to port Headland,
as I promised we would. I've been to Calgoli, I've
been to Albany as well as of course here in
(04:39):
just about every suburb of Perth. Now, I think over
the eleven months that i've been PM, and we're working
constructively and the good thing I think the feedback I
get is that they say it's good that the adults
are in charge. And they might agree with every everything
(05:00):
that my government has done, but they know that we're
trying to address things, and they know that we're engaged
and we're looking for solutions rather than looking for arguments,
which is what people want. People had conflict fatigue, I think,
and so the fact that we've got so much legislation
through the parliament. Cheaper medicine, cheaper childcare begins on July one.
(05:24):
There's eighteen thousand people benefiting from our fee free tape
just here in Wa and visit a tape not far
from here, just up the road, and talking to students
who are going to become electricians or become age care
workers or childcare workers who are benefiting from that fee
(05:46):
free tape just really warms your heart. It shows that
the effort that's put in can make a difference to people.
Speaker 1 (05:54):
One of the big issues at the moment is the
Indigenous Voice to Parliament, which you're campaigning for. Of course,
a lot of people don't understand exactly what it is
because they say the wording may be a little vague.
Can you explain just in layman's terms, exactly what we're
talking about.
Speaker 2 (06:11):
Yes, Look, the wording if they actually look at it
is really clear, and it's up there on the website
and on people can google it and see the words
that will be put the constitutional change, and it's about
two things. Firstly, recognizing Aboriginal Torres straight island of people
in our constitution. That's the first thing at the moment
(06:32):
that our nation's constitution, which is like a burstiate if
you think of it that way, should recognize that we
share this continent with the oldest continuous culture on Earth
sixty five thousand years. That should be a source of pride.
So just simple recognition, that's the first thing. The second
thing is just consultation. That's what the voices that where
(06:55):
matters affect average on Torrestraate Island of people, they should
have a they should be consulted. So it's not a
right of veto. It doesn't change the power of the
Parliament or the way that decisions are made. It won't
be a funding body. It will simply be a body
that can representations and the wording is very clear it
(07:17):
may make representations so they don't have to. And then
it's clear that the Parliament will determine the structure, functions
and operations of the Voice. So it's really about good manners.
If you're going to have a policy that impacts Aboriginal Australians,
(07:38):
then us them their views. And we know that what's
happened up to now isn't working. There's a ten year
life expectancy gap, there's gaps in health and education and housing,
infant mortality, there's gaps when it comes to incarceration rates.
Are the most incarcerated peoples in the world, so we
know that with the best of intentions. I think governments
(08:01):
of all persuasions have tried to do things for average
and Australians. This is about doing things with Aboriginal Australians.
That's an important distinction and I really.
Speaker 1 (08:15):
Hope it's like a common sense.
Speaker 2 (08:17):
It is a common sense and we know that when
we do that, you get better outcomes. Justice reinvestment, Indigenous
ranges programs, community health prognance. Where Aboriginal people are involved,
you get better outcomes. And that's what it's about. So
the No campaign will try to raise a whole lot
of furfees of what it's not about, but it is
(08:42):
pretty straightforward. It is pretty simple, and I sincerely hope
that we wake up the day after the referendum, average
on Australians will have been given respect. All of us
can be walk a little bit taller. I reckon if
we acknowledge the fullness of our history well with a
bit of pride, and the world will look at us
(09:03):
as well, saying well, they've acknowledged their history. And the
counterfactual to that is I think problematic. So if not now,
when this has been promised for a long period of.
Speaker 3 (09:18):
Time, it feels like about time, Anthony. We're driving to
work at four in the morning, so we get a
different view of things and unfortunately we drive through, we
drive into East Perth and there's the homeless. This issue
is worse than ever as far as we can see.
And we're not just talking about people who haven't got
a roof over their heads. It's the working poor as well.
Then we know all about the rising cost of living
right now, but it would be lovely to snap your
fingers and solve an issue. It's such a difficult thing
(09:40):
to solve. But what are the things that you see
are being done that can make such a difference.
Speaker 2 (09:44):
Well, for start, we've got legislation before the Parliament which
we'll see a doubling of the number of social and
affordable housing new stock coming online thirty thousand additional through
our Housing Australia Future funded ten billion dollar fund to
make a difference, including funding specifically for four thousand of
(10:07):
those reserved for women and children escaping domestic violence, some
for our veterans as well, a specific program for them,
funding to fix remote housing, funding for emergency housing as well.
We've got our Housing Accord going forward, which is about
(10:27):
encouraging private sector investment. That's been done with the Master
Builders Association and the Housing Industry Association and state and
territory governments we want to work through as well. We
know this is a big problem, but we have a
comprehensive plan. Unfortunately, the Housing Australia Future Fund are our
(10:48):
opponents in the Liberal Party and indeed in this case
the Greens Party as well are not supporting that going forward.
It should have passed the Parliament last week. We're hopeful
that it will though, because it really needs to happen,
and hopefully one of the things that comes out of
(11:09):
Saturday's ask and by election is that the Liberals realize
you can't just sit there and say no to everything,
which is what they're doing at the moment, and this
is a really practical measure that will make a difference.
And I can't understand why anyone would vote against it.
Speaker 1 (11:28):
Well, we're going to have to let you go. Time
is against us, of course, and I know you've got
a million places to be, but thank you so much
for popping in and seeing.
Speaker 2 (11:35):
Great to be in the studio rather than just.
Speaker 3 (11:38):
You always end up on the phone. So yeah, it's
wonderful to see you and.
Speaker 2 (11:40):
Great to be back in Perth. It's been I've got
to say, pretty stunning weather. Yesterday was gorgeous day for
the derby.
Speaker 3 (11:49):
You didn't get the Blues Fest as well. We know
you love your tunes. Yeah, well next time.
Speaker 2 (11:53):
Missed all that
Busier than Prince Harry on the Worldwide Privacy Tour as
our Prime Minister, Anthony Open Easy.
Speaker 2 (00:07):
Good morning, good morning, great to be lovely to.
Speaker 1 (00:10):
Have you back in the studio. You flew in on
the weekend for the launch of the Resources Technology Showcase.
How was that?
Speaker 2 (00:17):
That was fantastic fun. All the extraordinary breakthroughs that are
happening in technology, in robotics and in using information technology
and really to drive productivity new equipment, big machines, but
also fun stuff as well that engages all these kids,
(00:41):
like there were thousands of them. It was the best
I've seen, the best I've seen, Barnann and the kids
were so enthusiastic.
Speaker 3 (00:52):
There was this.
Speaker 2 (00:52):
Scram I was worried going around with all the TV
cameras that some of the little kid was going to
get knocked over by a camera. But it was just
good fun, the enthusiasm that was there, and the beauty
is that it was really showing practically what the application
of science is and that's the future for this state
(01:15):
and this country is becoming the smart country. And if
even two percent of the kids who were there yesterday
afternoon and then outside as well with the big equipment,
building things with their families. If two percent of kids
(01:35):
who are there get inspired to study science, to become engineers,
to become technicians, to go and work in these vast industries,
that will grow. Looking at as we shift to cleaner technologies,
you know, making batteries and making more things here, then
(01:56):
that will be a great thing.
Speaker 3 (01:58):
Anthony, you told us on the hustings the federal election
you'd come back to perthon You'd come back to West
Australia a lot of times, but your schedule is must
be what's grueling. I felt like you were sitting there
in the seat of Aston and Victoria after the win
for Mary on the weekend, then all of a sudden
you're here. It's pretty I was.
Speaker 2 (02:12):
And I wake up in Hobart. Yes, but I look,
it was important that we acknowledge Mary's win was an
extraordinary thing, once in a century event. And Mary's such
a humble person. She's done it tough in her life.
She's grew up in public housing, she's raised kids on
(02:34):
her own, she's looked after her niece as well. She's
a cancer survivor. She's got this extraordinary story and I
think her genuineness and warmth really shone through. If anyone
was watching her speech on Saturday night, she was genuinely
humbled by it. And she'll be a great voice in
(02:54):
the Parliament, not just for Aston, but I think people
will really warm to her and it's good to have
people like that in the Parliament. She's certainly not someone
who who expected to be there. She ran last time
when it was the margin was above sixty percent, so
(03:16):
she got this big swing and then she got another one,
and I think in part that is because of who
Mary Doyle is and to her credit. And then I'd
given the commitment about the showcase, so I don't break commitments.
So we dashed across here and then I got to
go to the Derby.
Speaker 1 (03:36):
Yeah. Absolutely, you have kept true to your election promise
about you know, visiting w Way. This is your tenth
trip eleven eleven trip county within a year as Prime minister.
How is the first year gone? Oh well it's up
to judge. Will you get curveballs thrown it?
Speaker 3 (03:57):
Yeah?
Speaker 2 (03:57):
No one thought the Russian invasion of you would continue
for so long and have that impact on global inflation
that it has, so we've had to deal with that.
Those pressures, but it's a great privilege. I'm very cognizant
of the great honor that I have of leading this
(04:18):
the best country on earth. But it's also the best
thing is getting out and about and meeting people and
engaging with people. We took the entire cabinet to port Headland,
as I promised we would. I've been to Calgoli, I've
been to Albany as well as of course here in
(04:39):
just about every suburb of Perth. Now, I think over
the eleven months that i've been PM, and we're working
constructively and the good thing I think the feedback I
get is that they say it's good that the adults
are in charge. And they might agree with every everything
(05:00):
that my government has done, but they know that we're
trying to address things, and they know that we're engaged
and we're looking for solutions rather than looking for arguments,
which is what people want. People had conflict fatigue, I think,
and so the fact that we've got so much legislation
through the parliament. Cheaper medicine, cheaper childcare begins on July one.
(05:24):
There's eighteen thousand people benefiting from our fee free tape
just here in Wa and visit a tape not far
from here, just up the road, and talking to students
who are going to become electricians or become age care
workers or childcare workers who are benefiting from that fee
(05:46):
free tape just really warms your heart. It shows that
the effort that's put in can make a difference to people.
Speaker 1 (05:54):
One of the big issues at the moment is the
Indigenous Voice to Parliament, which you're campaigning for. Of course,
a lot of people don't understand exactly what it is
because they say the wording may be a little vague.
Can you explain just in layman's terms, exactly what we're
talking about.
Speaker 2 (06:11):
Yes, Look, the wording if they actually look at it
is really clear, and it's up there on the website
and on people can google it and see the words
that will be put the constitutional change, and it's about
two things. Firstly, recognizing Aboriginal Torres straight island of people
in our constitution. That's the first thing at the moment
(06:32):
that our nation's constitution, which is like a burstiate if
you think of it that way, should recognize that we
share this continent with the oldest continuous culture on Earth
sixty five thousand years. That should be a source of pride.
So just simple recognition, that's the first thing. The second
thing is just consultation. That's what the voices that where
(06:55):
matters affect average on Torrestraate Island of people, they should
have a they should be consulted. So it's not a
right of veto. It doesn't change the power of the
Parliament or the way that decisions are made. It won't
be a funding body. It will simply be a body
that can representations and the wording is very clear it
(07:17):
may make representations so they don't have to. And then
it's clear that the Parliament will determine the structure, functions
and operations of the Voice. So it's really about good manners.
If you're going to have a policy that impacts Aboriginal Australians,
(07:38):
then us them their views. And we know that what's
happened up to now isn't working. There's a ten year
life expectancy gap, there's gaps in health and education and housing,
infant mortality, there's gaps when it comes to incarceration rates.
Are the most incarcerated peoples in the world, so we
know that with the best of intentions. I think governments
(08:01):
of all persuasions have tried to do things for average
and Australians. This is about doing things with Aboriginal Australians.
That's an important distinction and I really.
Speaker 1 (08:15):
Hope it's like a common sense.
Speaker 2 (08:17):
It is a common sense and we know that when
we do that, you get better outcomes. Justice reinvestment, Indigenous
ranges programs, community health prognance. Where Aboriginal people are involved,
you get better outcomes. And that's what it's about. So
the No campaign will try to raise a whole lot
of furfees of what it's not about, but it is
(08:42):
pretty straightforward. It is pretty simple, and I sincerely hope
that we wake up the day after the referendum, average
on Australians will have been given respect. All of us
can be walk a little bit taller. I reckon if
we acknowledge the fullness of our history well with a
bit of pride, and the world will look at us
(09:03):
as well, saying well, they've acknowledged their history. And the
counterfactual to that is I think problematic. So if not now,
when this has been promised for a long period of.
Speaker 3 (09:18):
Time, it feels like about time, Anthony. We're driving to
work at four in the morning, so we get a
different view of things and unfortunately we drive through, we
drive into East Perth and there's the homeless. This issue
is worse than ever as far as we can see.
And we're not just talking about people who haven't got
a roof over their heads. It's the working poor as well.
Then we know all about the rising cost of living
right now, but it would be lovely to snap your
fingers and solve an issue. It's such a difficult thing
(09:40):
to solve. But what are the things that you see
are being done that can make such a difference.
Speaker 2 (09:44):
Well, for start, we've got legislation before the Parliament which
we'll see a doubling of the number of social and
affordable housing new stock coming online thirty thousand additional through
our Housing Australia Future funded ten billion dollar fund to
make a difference, including funding specifically for four thousand of
(10:07):
those reserved for women and children escaping domestic violence, some
for our veterans as well, a specific program for them,
funding to fix remote housing, funding for emergency housing as well.
We've got our Housing Accord going forward, which is about
(10:27):
encouraging private sector investment. That's been done with the Master
Builders Association and the Housing Industry Association and state and
territory governments we want to work through as well. We
know this is a big problem, but we have a
comprehensive plan. Unfortunately, the Housing Australia Future Fund are our
(10:48):
opponents in the Liberal Party and indeed in this case
the Greens Party as well are not supporting that going forward.
It should have passed the Parliament last week. We're hopeful
that it will though, because it really needs to happen,
and hopefully one of the things that comes out of
(11:09):
Saturday's ask and by election is that the Liberals realize
you can't just sit there and say no to everything,
which is what they're doing at the moment, and this
is a really practical measure that will make a difference.
And I can't understand why anyone would vote against it.
Speaker 1 (11:28):
Well, we're going to have to let you go. Time
is against us, of course, and I know you've got
a million places to be, but thank you so much
for popping in and seeing.
Speaker 2 (11:35):
Great to be in the studio rather than just.
Speaker 3 (11:38):
You always end up on the phone. So yeah, it's
wonderful to see you and.
Speaker 2 (11:40):
Great to be back in Perth. It's been I've got
to say, pretty stunning weather. Yesterday was gorgeous day for
the derby.
Speaker 3 (11:49):
You didn't get the Blues Fest as well. We know
you love your tunes. Yeah, well next time.
Speaker 2 (11:53):
Missed all that
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