TRANSCRIPT
6PR Perth with Gary Adshead
Topics: WA Liberals and Nationals, WA No Campaign Launch, the Voice
21 August 2023
E&OE.
Gary Adshead
On the weekend, of course, yesterday, the No campaigners came out in force, about one thousand of them at Ascot, in relation to the No campaign on the referendum, the Voice. Certainly firing up the crowd was Liberal Senator Michaelia Cash, and she joins me on the line now. Thanks very much for your time Senator.
Senator Cash
Great to be with you, Gary.
Gary Adshead
I’ve just got to get this out of the way. First, what’s wrong with the idea then of a Coalition, formal coalition, between the Libs and Nats going into that state election?
Senator Cas
Well, in the first instance, I would say this is a matter for the state parliamentary party, not the federal parliamentary party. As you know, federally, we do have a formal coalition with the National Party, but this is a state matter in terms of where the state parties are. My understanding is, as you’ve articulated, there are conversations taking place between the two parties, but they are at a very early stage. And as our state President has stated, if we are to progress these conversations, these talks do need to involve the respective parliamentary leaders. When you discuss these things, it requires, Gary, a range of conversations with many people in both the state parliamentary parties and the state organisations. The next state election, it’s a fixed date is March 2025. We are only in August of 2023, so there is still a long way to go. But ultimately I would say to both teams, guess what? Regardless of the status, we need to work together to highlight the dysfunction in our state, whether it’s the failing state of the health system, the housing and homelessness crisis, what we’re seeing in law and order, stopping any further attacks by WA Labor on people’s private property rights. And we need to set ourselves up as a viable alternative to the Labor Government, in whatever form that may be.
Gary Adshead
I can’t imagine that Labor is going to want to go down the path of another Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Act, but just going back to what also has been put in the proposal to the Liberal Party from the Nats is forming a review committee now around joint policies so that you can move forward with joint policies that are, you know, cohesive and presentable to the public and also so that Labor can’t shoot them down as easily if they’re a joint policy around sort of financing, etc. I mean, these are things that sort of have to happen, don’t they?
Senator Cash
Well, again, at a federal level, they do because we already have a formal coalition. And as a member of the federal party, I’m actually not a party to any of the conversations at the state level. And again, the conversations are at an early stage. And certainly, I think both parties were very, very upfront some time ago that there would be these conversations in the lead up to March 2025. But they are at a very early stage. And I think all of the obvious things are on the table. But at this point in time, range of conversations, many people need to be brought in, but in particular, both leaders of the respective parties and the state organisation. But ultimately, from my perspective, set ourselves up as a viable alternative to the current Labor Government. That has got to be our focus. Focus on the basic needs of Western Australia.
Gary Adshead
I do have to ask you, though, do you think that Libby Mettam would give the opposition a better chance of forming government and be more respected by the public than Shane Love, the Nationals Leader?
Senator Cash
I think Libby Mettam, regardless of her position, is doing an absolutely outstanding job in highlighting the deficiencies of this WA Labor Government. Since Libby took over the Western Australian Liberal Party, we have now seen highlighted the failing state of the WA health system. Gary, I was talking to somebody who actually has been in Joondalup Hospital recently – there are people in the corridors in beds, that is unacceptable. The housing and homelessness crisis, the resignations from our police force, you know, the fact that Roger Cook and Labor had to backtrack on the disastrous attack on people’s private property right. That is because Libby Mettam, regardless of her position, is out there every single day standing up for a better Western Australia. And that is what we need from Libby Mettam.
Gary Adshead
All right, let’s turn to the campaign rally that was held yesterday. Now. Can I just ask you who was in the room? I mean, how would you describe those people that were in the room saying no?
Senator Cash
Well that’s a good question actually. Yes, so look, we obviously had hundreds and hundreds of committed Liberals. In fact, we had over one thousand people there. But when I spoke to people afterwards, it was really interesting because a number came up to me and said, “Michaelia, I’ve rejoined the Liberal Party. You’re fighting on principle. You listened, you learned, and guess what? I have come back.” But I think what was even more fascinating from my perspective was, there were a number of people that said, “I’ve never joined a political party. I am now a member of the Liberal Party because I want to take a stance against Albanese’s disastrous Voice.” But I even had some people come to me and say, “I used to be a member of the Labor Party, but on this I am taking a stand and I’ve joined the Liberal Party.” So whilst yes, obviously the majority were Liberals, the good news for us was, is that people have now seen the WA Liberal Party, we listened to the electorate, we have put in place the necessary changes to show people we have learned and we are now fighting on our principles. So to have people rejoin the party, or alternatively, join the party or come from Labor to join the party shows, Gary, when you stand on principle, people will actually listen and that’s what we are doing.
Gary Adshead
From your point of view are you 100% comfortable with the notion of denying Aboriginal people a constitutional recognition from this referendum?
Senator Cash
And that’s why it’s so sad, Gary, if that’s what this proposition was, the simple proposition of constitutional recognition for Indigenous Australians, as Peter Dutton has said, we believe that would actually be the 1967 moment of unity for our country. Peter Dutton has said, if Mr. Albanese was to take that single proposition forward in October, and he’s not doing that, that is actually the problem. Peter Dutton has said he believes Australians could stand together in October of this year, supported by all political parties, and it would be a unifying moment for this country. But that is not what Mr Albanese is doing, he has seen a weak opportunity. He himself has acknowledged Gary, and this is what is just so disastrous about what he wants to do, he has said because of the way he has approached this referendum, because of the nature of the question he is putting forward, he actually himself doesn’t know if it’s going to get up. And when you look at what political commentators are saying, they are saying that at the absolute best, regardless of the outcome, this nation is going to be split evenly down the middle. It is incumbent on any prime minister who knows that to provide the leadership to Australians and to prevent that from taking place. He should back off with this referendum. And Peter Dutton has said, if you want to bring forward a question that says, “Should Indigenous Australians be recognised in our constitution?” as the sole question, guess what, Gary, I think most Australians would support that. But that is not what Anthony Albanese is doing. He is deliberately seeking to divide this country and hoping that the referendum will get up on the basis of the vibe, and on the basis of an emotional response. That is just not good. As a leader who should be seeking to unite this country, and that means slow down on the referendum, rethink the question, bring Peter Dutton, bring the other political parties with you, and let’s make this a unifying moment for Australia.
Gary Adshead
Is it too late?
Senator Cash
No, it’s not too late because guess what? He hasn’t even named the date of the referendum.
Gary Adshead
I don’t understand that. I really am perplexed on that.
Senator Cash
That’s what’s so sad. Because every other referendum that ever succeeded in this country, Gary, and there’s only been a handful, they were all successful because both major political parties came together and worked together. But Anthony Albanese, the first thing he did was step away from the bipartisan approach when he came into government. He has deliberately seen this as a political objective, as a political wedge.
Gary Adshead
But hasn’t Peter Dutton done the same?
Senator Cash
Absolutely not, because Peter has said he would support a referendum that goes to recognising Indigenous Australians in our Constitution.
Gary Adshead
But just a minute, I mean he’s a guy that walked out of Parliament when the “sorry motions” were being made in the parliament. I mean, he seems to have a problem with the notion.
Senator Cash
Absolutely not, he has clearly stated he supports indigenous recognition. He has clearly stated he supports better outcomes for disadvantaged communities to improve their lives. But guess what, Gary? This is not the way to do it. This is going to be the most significant change we make in the way in which our government operates in our country’s history. And Mr. Albanese is exploiting the goodwill of Australians. And he’s hoping that because of the vibe, this thing will pass, and yet he cannot answer any of the questions that are put to him. Why? Because there is no detail. He openly says that. He is saying to Australian, “Sign here and guess what? Once the referendum gets up in whatever way, shape, or form, 51% of the country, 50.5% of the country, we will actually tell you the detail the following week.” That is not good enough. It’s divisive, it’s dangerous, it’s expensive, and it’s not fair. But worse than that, I think his admission that despite his government, they committed to implementing the Uluru statement from the heart in full, he was asked the other day, “Well, have you read the 26 page document?” And his answer was actually contemptuous of all Australians. He said a), he hasn’t, but b) worse than that, he said, “Why should I?” Well Mr. Albanese and federal Labor, the reason you should is, your government committed to implementing it in full, and that means voice, treaty, truth. You need to be upfront with Australians and tell them what your government is actually committed to implementing.
Gary Adshead
Well, another conjecture is that the background to the document is 26 pages, but there’s only one page that forms the Uluru statement from f the heart. Michaelia, thank you very much for joining us this morning on all of that.
Senator Cash
Great to be with you Gary.
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