THE HON TANYA PLIBERSEK MP
MINISTER FOR THE ENVIRONMENT AND WATER
E&OE TRANSCRIPT
TELEVISION INTERVIEW
SUNRISE
MONDAY, 12 AUGUST 2024
SUBJECTS: NATIONAL TERRORISM THREAT LEVEL; AUSSIE BREAKER RAYGUN
NATALIE BARR: Australia's Spy Chief Mike Burgess has revealed that three or four countries, including friendly nations, have been caught engaging in foreign interference by attempting to threaten and intimidate some of Australia's ethnic communities. The ASIO Director General said Iran was one of those countries, but also added that some of the others would surprise you. Neither he nor the Prime Minister would identify these other nations, citing public safety concerns. For their take let's bring in Environment Minister, Tanya Plibersek, and Nationals MP, Barnaby Joyce. Morning to both of you.
BARNABY JOYCE: Morning.
TANYA PLIBERSEK, MINISTER FOR THE ENVIRONMENT AND WATER: Good morning.
BARR: Tanya, when the ASIO boss says there are friendly nations doing this, should we be concerned, and how friendly are they?
MINISTER PLIBERSEK: Well, everything the Government's doing is absolutely focused on keeping Australians safe, and that includes making the Countering Foreign Interference Taskforce permanent, it means an increase in the last budget of over $70 million. And as for, you know, whether we name countries or not, that really is a judgment that's based on people's safety and security. If the security services say we should be naming, then we name; if they say it's better for their investigation, it's better for their purposes not to be saying this stuff publicly, then we don't say it publicly. This is not about headlines, it's about people's safety.
BARR: Barnaby, will it become headlines though? If you create a void, will everyone fill it by guessing? Should they be named?
JOYCE: Well, it is headlines, isn't it? I mean they've said enough that it's made the paper, and we're talking about it on Sunrise, so we've gone half the way there. I think the big issue there is what people do with the information, are they friend or foe, are they going to do is it curiosity, or are they going to have a malicious intent behind it to try and cause problems in our nation? And that's why I think that both for Tanya and I, and for you, Nat, our children are going to live in a different world to us, and we have to come as strong as possible, as quickly as possible, because the rise of totalitarianism is quite evident, with China totalitarian regime, with Russia, with Iran, and this time their comparative power to the US is far greater, and we have to make sure that we're vastly more resilient in this nation across the board, across everything we do.
BARR: So should the Government name these nations that are spying on us, Barnaby?
JOYCE: Well, I agree with Tanya, that we'll follow the lead of Burgess, I think he, you know, that's what the National Security Committee would have been advised. I suppose I do quander as to why we're told half the story and whether that helps at all.
You know, what we've got to focus on is that totalitarian regimes have a real interest in making things very bad for Australia, and if we don't have not just a strong defence, but strong manufacturing, strong agriculture, strong everywhere, strong education, then we make ourselves vulnerable. So we've only got one job, and the major battle for us is to become as strong as possible as quickly as possible for your children.
BARR: Because all nations spy, don't they? We're spying, aren't we, Tanya?
MINISTER PLIBERSEK: Well, all nations keep an eye on other nations, but actually, Nat, one of the things that Barnaby just said is really important. Keeping our democracy strong is absolutely vital, and yes, we need to have strong security services, strong defences, strong industry so that we can be as self-reliant at times of trouble as possible. But we also need to make sure our kids understand why it's important to be involved in democracy, why we need to protect it, why we need to protect our democratic institutions
JOYCE: Yep. Very good.
MINISTER PLIBERSEK: Which is why we need to fight against corruption, why we need to look after each other. All of these things are about protecting our democracy and our way of life.
BARR: Yep, you know, well said.
JOYCE: I agree with all that. I agree with all that.
BARR: Yep. Both of you, well said. How about this: the PM has led calls to support Aussie breaker, Raygun who represented our country at the Olympics in the new break dancing sport, actually it's "breaking", it's not called break dancing.
Rachael Gunn went viral for her unique moves, but also becoming the subject of some harsh criticism for her attempt. Tanya, nobody deserves any hate like this. There was a massive pile on. What do you think of what happened over the weekend with Raygun?
MINISTER PLIBERSEK: Well, I think "haters gonna hate", and if I could buy a Raygun t-shirt, I would, because, you know, the rest of those people are sitting on their couch mucking around on social media. She's actually represented our country at the Paris Olympics, she's an Olympian, no one can ever take that away from her. Good on her for having a go. Like actually, that's what sport's all about. I'm, you know, a bit hopeless at sport, but having a go makes me feel good. That's what it's about, right? It's about participation. Good on her, and like I say, whatever I can do to show my support, I'm there.
BARR: Barnaby, amongst the comments, cause a lot of people would have seen these on the weekend, was the, you know, "You're an idiot if you're criticising her, she got a two week, all expenses paid trip to Paris".
MINISTER PLIBERSEK: Good point.
JOYCE: I don't agree with the denigration of any human being, and I think any person who's been in public life has seen comments that are disgusting, but I'll temper that in a slight way. If you're an international competitor, you're going to have international commentary.
It's like going to the AFL, or the League, or watching the Wallabies. People are going to comment about whether you had a good game or a bad game, and I think you have to accept that part of it, and you know, we comment on the swimmers, we comment on so many other people about exactly how they went, but you know, I'd have to say that she's doing a better job than Shirvo.
BARR: Yeah, so this is Raygun trying to teach Shirvo. Notice I didn't even have a go, so that's how good I am. Shirvo trying his best, and you know, you be the judge. What was that, the cockroach, Shirvo?
JOYCE: It's the lay down and give up.
BARR: Showing you how hard it is.
JOYCE: Lay down misere.
BARR: You're right, no one likes a pile on, so good on her forgiving it a go. Tell us what you think this morning. Thank you very much, we'll see you next week, to our pollies there.
END
