E&OE TRANSCRIPT
TV INTERVIEW
CHANNEL SEVEN
MONDAY, 26 OCTOBER 2026
Topics: POLITICAL VIOLENCE; STUDENT PROTEST.
NATALIE BARR: Let's bring in Social Services Minister Tanya Plibersek and One Nation MP Barnaby Joyce. Good morning to both of you. Barnaby, if the AFP Commissioner is saying there is a direct link between heated political discourse and the reaction in the threats that they are seeing, how should politicians on all sides respond to that?
BARNABY JOYCE: Well, I don't think people should ever be excessive already. We shouldn't need the Commissioner to tell that. And like, I'm not being sort of wow me, but in my 21 years in politics, I've never been thrown out of the chamber during Question Time ever and have been thrown out. So, I think you're going to have to have robust. I mean, that's what a Westminster system is about. It's a robust system, it's a robust chamber, but you know the lines and I. People say they're disgusted with Question Time, etc. But that's the one they watched. And I'm not, I'm not. I don't agree with this idea that if people saying it's solely to do with politicians, that's rubbish. The people walked across the Harbour Bridge and were waving Palestinian flags and ISIS like flags, well, that's certainly stirring up sentiments. The people are going to demonstrate on Remembrance Day. That stirs up things. And if you do something and not expect an equal and opposite reaction by the sort of the acid like nature of your actions, then you're foolish because people will always respond to defend their position as well.
BARR: Yeah, but Barnaby, two things can be true at the same time. They're obviously inflammatory things you're mentioning, but you've got the Federal Police Commissioner saying she's got a thousand incidents in the past year and that this is a problem with politicians stirring up, you know, rhetoric. And then threats are happening, discourse in our community. So, do you guys have to change your ways?
JOYCE: I think we shouldn't be in that space to start off with. But you know what I always worry about when these things start heading towards censorship, because censorship is a huge problem for Australia, it's a huge problem for democracy. So, yes. You can't do two things at the same time. One is tone down what you do without bringing about censorship.
BARR: Okay, Tanya. Krissy Barrett said the alleged attack on Helen Haines has to be a turning point. What do you think this turning point should look like?
TANYA PLIBERSEK, MINISTER FOR SOCIAL SERVICES: Well, I do think it has to be a turning point and there's a couple of things I'd say. I think you can have strong and robust debate without being mean or cruel. Barnaby was saying just a few days ago that a driver drove at him as well and it was the Australian Federal Police that protected him, thank goodness for that. But then, if the Australian Federal Police and ASIO are both saying we need to change the way that we're having political debates in this country because they are inflaming things, then I think we need to listen to that. And Barnaby also made very clear that when One Nation put up that cartoon calling Andrew Hastie a traitor, he didn't approve of that. He said that to Andrew Hastie. I think the most recent cartoon, the attack on Jacqui Lambie and her vaginal prolapse. I mean, I'm sure Barnaby doesn't agree with that sort of thing. It is really possible to have strong debate about issues without any censorship and not be mean and not be cruel and not inflame things. And I'd say this as well, Barnaby says it's not just about politicians, of course it's not. What we're hearing is that teachers and principals and shop assistants and flight attendants and the kids who are reffing sport on the weekend are being abused just for doing their jobs. Surely all of us have a role to play. Helen's family have asked us to donate to Save the Children, do that if you can. And in your own behaviour, as you're going about your business, as you're walking into a shop or you're getting impatient when you’re waiting in a queue for too long, just think, can I do this better? Can I be kinder to the people around me?
BARR: Yeah, I think that's the message, isn't it? You know, if you guys are in that, you know, that big building on the hill, that's the place to start. Because you're right, it's filtering through society, moving on. Veterans’ groups have criticised a nationwide student campaign to protest against capitalism and One Nation on Remembrance Day, urging them to choose another day. Barnaby, the group promoting the rally say the date of November 11th is just a coincidence and their demonstrations will be peaceful. What do you think about this?
JOYCE: I think it's disgraceful. Okay, now you're aware that it's not a coincidence. Now you're aware that it's a day that represents those who, you know, served in the Defence force, especially the First World War. Armistice Day. We're looking at over 60,000 people who were killed in service of our nation. And, you know, this is just disgraceful. You know, you're being deliberately antagonistic to pick this day. You could pick another one. And if you choose not to, what is the reaction that you're hoping to get? It'll be one of disdain, one of anger. For some people, be one of absolute fury. Is that what you want? It should not be allowed to go on that day. That is an absolute outrage.
BARR: Yeah. Tanya, if they say it wasn't the idea to make it on Remembrance Day, that, you know, November 11th didn't trigger anything in the diary for them. Now that they know, should they change it?
MINISTER PLIBERSEK: Absolutely. And it should be a Saturday. I mean, school days are for school. Remembrance Day and Anzac Day, I'd say the two most sombre days of our year, when we pause to remember people who have given their lives for their country. It's not a day for protest. And I have to say, I support people having their say and being able to protest, but do it on a Saturday, and we'll see how many kids turn up if it's a Saturday rather than a day off school.
BARR: Okay, thank you. We'll see you next week.
ENDS
