Senator the Hon Michaelia Cash
Shadow Attorney-General
Shadow Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations
Leader of the Opposition in the Senate
Senator for Western Australia
TRANSCRIPT
Sky News with Danica De Giorgio
TOPICS: WA Newspoll, female sports, Albanese weak on national security
7 February 2025
E&OE
Danica De Giorgio
Let’s return now to that News poll I spoke about earlier, revealing half of voters in the crucial election state of WA believe Anthony Albanese does not deserve to be re-elected. Joining me is Shadow Attorney General and WA Senator Michaelia Cash, good to see you again. Michaelia Cash, thanks for joining me. WA got Albo over the line at the last federal election. What has changed?
Senator Cash
Well, you see, Danica, Western Australians, like so many Australians, have woken up to the fact that Mr. Albanese talked a big game prior to the last election. He promised Australians that if you voted for me, if you voted for Labor, you would be better off. You ask any Australian, are you better off today than you were when Mr. Albanese was first elected? And they now look at you blankly. But more than that, Danica, he has walked away from WA with policies that he’s either announced or has implemented. He has killed off the live sheep trade that is a direct hit on Western Australian farmers,Western Australian people who work in that industry, and Western Australian families. He remains committed to voice, treaty, truth. WA sent him a resounding no, we refuse to divide this country on the basis of race. He wants to unionise the Pilbara. Are you kidding me? The backbone of the WA economy, and in being the backbone of the West Australian economy, we contribute to Australia’s economy. And of course, then nature positive, mining negative laws. He remains committed to those laws which we know will hurt our mining industry, so you hurt the whole of the Australian economy. Will put house prices up in Western Australia. Will put energy prices up in Western Australia. So look, Danica, it doesn’t surprise me those polls, because when you’re out and about on the ground, whether you’re a Federal candidate or, frustratingly, for our State candidates, the only person people want to talk about is Mr. Albanese, but to express how disappointed they are in him.
Danica De Giorgio
And he doesn’t have Mark McGowan, before the popular premier over there anymore. He doesn’t have that.
Senator Cash
No and every time Danica he flies into our State and the other day, he was there for 12 hours. He stands up and he gloats. He gloats about this is the 27th time I’ve been to Western Australia. People are now saying to him, we actually don’t want you coming, because every time you stand up and you say that, we are reminded of what you have done to us. The policies that you have implemented. But more than that, your disdain for our State in terms of the policies that you have set for a second term Albanese government and God help us if it is a second term Albanese Greens government will implement. He’s walked away from WA, he takes us for granted, so the feedback on the poll just doesn’t surprise me.
Danica De Giorgio
No, I completely agree with you there Michaelia Cash. Now look, Peter Dutton has hinted at supporting Donald Trump’s order banning males from competing in female sports. He told Peta Credlin last night that allowing it to occur is not in the spirit of sport. And he also says there are two sexes. I want to put it to you as a senior female in the Coalition. How many genders are there? What are they and will that be a policy should the Coalition win?
Senator Cash
Well, in the first instance, I am one of those people who – there are two sexes. Sex is biological, other than in and you have to say there are some cases – but in the majority of cases, male and female. For me, that is it. I also, Danica, do not think that is controversial to say. Look, when it comes to women in sport, I’m not a small person, Danica, or neither are you. But I can tell you right now I will never win against a person who has transitioned from being male to female. So do I understand the concerns of young girls in sport? Do I understand the concerns of their parents, in particular, when it comes to boxing, for example, you know, and safety, 110%. We need to protect women’s sport, but in particular, we need to protect the hopes, the aspirations and the dreams of young girls who are going to spend years competing to be their best. They should not then be able to be beaten by someone who has transitioned from male to female. So I absolutely agree with Peter Dutton, we need to be speaking with those sporting codes, because they’re responsible for it, to see what we can do. In relation to the executive order by Donald Trump – we have a fundamentally different system – that is not something that we can do. But my fundamental belief, like so many Australians, two sexes, male and female. Do I have concerns for women and girls in sport? Yes, I do, and yes, they need to be addressed.
Danica De Giorgio
Yeah. Well, that’s really, really positive to hear, because it’s not controversial anymore, as you said. We’re almost out of time. But I just want to ask you – the Prime Minister again, would have us believe he had no idea about a caravan loaded with explosives in New South Wales. We’re almost out of time, but very quickly, why is getting this timeline right so important? Why should we know when Albo did find out about this?
Senator Cash
Because he’s Prime Minister of our country, and he appears to have been unaware that a catastrophic terrorist event could have potentially occurred. Chris Minns, New South Wales Premier, was told, stood up and told the people. You have a prime minister who was refusing to take responsibility. I don’t know. I just – I no longer know about this man anymore Danica. Why can’t he answer a simple question? And as Peter Dutton has said, you do now need an inquiry into this. It is no longer about a date. This is about a fundamental failure of our Prime Minister to lead our nation. I mean, only yesterday in the Senate, they were dragged kicking and screaming to agree with mandatory sentences for terrorists. Are you kidding me yet again? Yesterday, Peter Dutton, someone who is decisive, someone who will only ever stand up for Australia and Australians, led the way when it comes to national security.The Prime Minister now, I mean, does he even care Danica? Perhaps that’s a question Australians need to be asking for themselves. A catastrophic potential, catastrophic terrorist event and our Prime Minister, can’t answer a basic question.
Danica De Giorgio
It’s absolutely extraordinary and it doesn’t make any sense. Michaelia Cash, really good to catch up. Thank you for joining me on the show this evening.
Senator Cash
Great to be with you.
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