Senator the Hon Michaelia Cash
Shadow Minister for Foreign Affairs
Leader of the Opposition in the Senate
Senator for Western Australia
TRANSCRIPT
Today Show
7 October 2025
Topics: PNG defence treaty, port of Darwin, Liberal party leadership
E&OE
Karl Stefanovic
Welcome back. Australia has finally signed an historic defence treaty with Papua New Guinea. To discuss, I’m joined by Minister Amanda Rishworth, and Liberal Senator Michaelia Cash. Good morning, ladies. Nice to see you. Amanda, you first up. I’m sure China will be shaking in their boots with this alliance.
Amanda Rishworth
Well, I think this treaty is a very important treaty between our two countries, Australia and Papua New Guinea. What it does is really show our shared relationship, our shared commitment, but it is about our two countries. It’s not about any other countries. It’s about our relationship and our commitment to security in our region.
Karl Stefanovic
It’s about our two countries, but it’s also about the US, wouldn’t you say?
Amanda Rishworth
Well, it is about our two countries. I mean, Papua New Guinea, you know, has been very keen on this treaty, as has Australia. This allows us to recognise that an attack on either of our countries is not in our common interest. So this is a very good outcome and shows our continued connection to what is an incredibly important neighbour.
Karl Stefanovic
Michaelia, the Solomons and Vanuatu, they’re as good as gone.
Senator Cash
Well, I have to say there is still work to be done in the Pacific. In relation to this particular treaty, the Coalition has welcomed it. The security of the Indo-Pacific is critical to Australia’s own regional security and prosperity. It is a fact, though, and you’ve articulated it, Karl, that there are authoritarian powers, and in particular the Chinese Communist Party, who are seeking to influence and shape the Pacific in ways that are not consistent with our values and our interests. And that is why we really want to see now the Nakamal agreement signed by this government. It is very disappointing that fell over. But more than that, the issue, the critical issue of the return of the Port of Darwin to Australian hands, has again reared its head, and in particular, this is important that this does happen. This is an important piece of infrastructure. Even Donald Trump, the President of the United States, is now questioning why the Albanese government, who said they were committed to the return, have not yet facilitated it. So constant vigilance, but also ensuring that it is our influence in the Pacific that is front and centre, not the Chinese Communist Party.
Karl Stefanovic
Why hasn’t that happened, Amanda?
Amanda Rishworth
Well, firstly, I would say that under the previous Coalition government, the relationships in the Pacific were at an all time low. Our government has been restoring those relationships. Let’s not forget, it was the Liberal government that sold the Port of Darwin. We, of course, made the commitment to restore that to Australian hands. We’re working through that process, but it was the Liberal Party that sold it. It was the Liberal Party that destroyed our relationships in the Pacific and we as a government are cleaning up that mess.
Karl Stefanovic
Michaelia, I mean, your party is all over the shop at the moment. It’s all Andrew Hastie’s fault, I hear.
Senator Cash
Do you know, Karl, there is nothing worse than politicians focusing on themselves, the Australian people, they actually hate that. So I have one job, and that job is to hold this Labor government to account. The Australian people want to know that I’m out there every day, ensuring that we are putting in place, you know, mechanisms that will bring prices down, that will ensure that they can keep the lights on, but more than that, that are making their lives easier. So I wake up every day, I know where my fight is. My fight is with the Albanese government. It is a bad government. You are in a cost of living crisis, and that is squarely where my focus is.
Karl Stefanovic
What about the rest of your party though? I mean, it’s just all a bit embarrassing, isn’t it?
Senator Cash
Well, again, the Australian people, they don’t like it when we focus on ourselves, our job is to focus on them.
Karl Stefanovic
All right, Amanda, I mean, you can’t believe your luck, can you? I mean, Albo could take a Contiki tour for the rest of the term and still win.
Amanda Rishworth
Well, look, I have to say that it is a bit of ‘Days of our Lives’ over there in the Liberal Party, but we’re not going to get distracted. We’re getting on with the job of governing, implementing, delivering our election commitments, and we will continue to do that. And you know, Michaelia is right, people don’t like parties that are focused on themselves. Unfortunately, that’s what the Liberal Party is doing at the moment, but we’re going to get on with our job, which is governing for the Australian people.
Karl Stefanovic
All right, you’re back to work this week. Appreciate it. Thank you so much.
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