Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister, Assistant Minister for the Public Service
TOM CONNELL, HOST: Being Friday, it’s Falinski/Gorman time, I’m going to truncate that introduction, because Joe Biden’s taken up a lot of our time. So let’s get straight into it. Gentlemen, Patrick, I’ll start with you. You like to be a bit of a diplomat, but when is it time for the Labor Party to stop saying, ‘well, Paul Keating was a great Prime Minister,’ and just say, ‘yep, he’s got no idea about foreign policy anymore.’
PATRICK GORMAN, ASSISTANT MINISTER TO THE PRIME MINISTER AND ASSISTANT MINISTER FOR THE PUBLIC SERVICE: Tom, I think there was two statements there. I think what you’re asking me about was Mr. Keating’s comments during the week. I didn’t spend much time thinking about them. Let me say really clearly your viewers – I think anyone who has watched Australia’s foreign policy knows that Penny Wong is a spectacular Foreign Minister. People on Jason’s side of politics say that. We see that from leaders across the international spectrum. I think her record speaks for herself. I didn’t give much thought to those comments that you refer to earlier this week.
CONNELL: Nah, I don’t believe that for a minute. Okay, but you’re telling me I didn’t give quite enough context? You’re probably right. Jason – unity ticket here, I guess you and Labor can line up and disagree with Paul Keating. Or, does he have a point?
JASON FALINSKI, PANELLIST: Look, I do, Tom, in all seriousness, I do think Labor actually needs to confront Paul Keating on some of these comments, because they’re actually doing damage to our national welfare. It creates division when we need solidarity of purpose. Pat’s right –
CONNELL: But they keep saying he’s wrong. What else can they do? What else should they do?
FALINSKI: Well, I think they need to point out where he’s wrong, and why he’s wrong, and how he’s wrong. And the fact that he needs to stop as a former leader saying it, and I mean, Tom –
CONNELL:- Do you want to have a go at that Pat?
FALINSKI:- and I know Pat, and I know, and I know, Pat knows this, that, you know, there is a lot of store in other countries in our region given to former leaders. And they would take a lot of, a lot of hope, from what Paul Keating’s saying because they would think that it is actually more influential than it actually is.
CONNELL: Pat, do you want to have a quick response to that. Do you want to tell us why Paul Keating was wrong?
GORMAN: Look, I’m not going to run around talking about what former leaders should do. I’m not going to expect that Jason stops Tony Abbott writing for a range of interesting right wing publications. I’m not going to expect that he gets Malcolm Turnbull to stop publishing books. Mr. Keating can have his views. They’re not the Australian Government’s views and, very clearly when it comes to foreign policy, you’ve got a prime minister, a foreign minister, a government who very clearly articulate Australia’s position on important matters of national security and our diplomatic relationships. People outside of government don’t do that.
FALINSKI: Tom if I could just -?
CONNELL: A straight bat. No, I’m gonna move on, Jason. We’re very short on time, getting through topics. I’m gonna get all tabloid. We already had it out on vehicle emissions this week. Let me just ask you this – do you drive a hybrid or electric around your – well it’s a Teal seat now – MacKellar?
FALINSKI: Yeah, I do I drive a hybrid Camry actually. Yeah. And, Tom, if you want to know, I am desperate to buy a Tesla Cybertruck. So I’m looking forward to the announcement that they’re coming to Australia soon.
CONNELL: A Cybertruck?
FALINSKI: A Cybertruck, yeah.
CONNELL: Is that because people have their baseball bats out for you already?
FALINSKI: Tom, if you’re nice to me, I’ll even let you drive. And Pat, if you’re not nice to me, you can sit in the passenger seat while Tom drives.
GORMAN: Jason, I’m always nice to you even when I disagree with you.
CONNELL: [Inaudible]. So, I think that’s that’s what Jason’s showing there, that the voters are still out for baseball bats even after he lost his seat. I’m getting mean today, aren’t I? What about you, Pat, is it an e-bike to get around the wine bars?
GORMAN: I do have an e-bike, Tom. Often to help get the three year old to daycare and other things.
CONNELL: On an e-bike? Really?
GORMAN: So we’ve got an E bike, and I do have a model 3 Tesla, which I very much enjoy driving.
CONNELL: And a Tesla?
GORMAN: It’s great. It’s great to be able to charge it at home. Electric vehicles as we know, are a big part of the future for Australia. That’s really clear.
FALINSKI: Hey, Pat –
GORMAN: – Jason’s getting a Cybertruck some time –
CONNELL: The three year old on the e-bike?
GORMAN: It’s got a back seat.
FALINSKI: No, no, the three year old takes Pat to childcare on the e-bike.
CONNELL: On the e-bike?
GORMAN: It feels like that sometimes, Jason. Yeah, and I have a normal, old school, pedal-powered pushbike as well.
CONNELL: I see kids on those bikes and think I’d be too nervous to do it.
FALINSKI: Hey, Pat, do you have solar panels as well?
GORMAN: I’m gonna go one better, Jason. I’m gonna tell you that I have a Smartrider. And that’s what I use to catch public transport, including, as it starts to open up, the wonderful METRONET project we’re building here in WA.
CONNELL: Oh, of course we’re on WA Labor Government announcements. All right, final topic. Being very serious –
FALINSKI: Well, at least he didn’t doorknock it.
CONNELL: Well, yeah, not yet. We don’t live there. Move to Perth, you’ll find out. Pets on planes – Virgin’s allowing it, the other airlines are saying ‘no, thank you.’ Jason, play your best Roman Emperor here – thumbs up or down?
FALINSKI: Thumbs up.
CONNELL: Really?
FALINSKI: Yeah, absolutely.
CONNELL: Couldn’t think of anything worse.
FALINSKI: You don’t want pets on planes?
CONNELL: Why? No! Then fewer seats to get up? It’s hard enough as it is anyway. Are they all really toilet trained? No, sorry.
FALINSKI: Do the pets get their own seat? Or do they sit in the lap of the passenger?
CONNELL: They’d have to get their own seat, wouldn’t they?
FALINSKI: Well, they take up less room than a human being does. Certainly this human being.
CONNELL: I should have researched this. Patrick – pets, yay or nay? You’ll just say ‘oh, yeah, I’ll be inoffensive, say yes,’ will you?
GORMAN: No, I’m a bad sample on this, Tom, I have terrible cat allergies. I’ll be looking for the flights with whatever the ‘no pet’ logo is. Because the idea of being stuck next to a cat on a plane for hours and hours getting from Perth to the East Coast, just sounds like allergies, asthma and a whole bunch of other stuff that I don’t want to experience, so I’m not a huge fan. And, I probably should have just kept that to myself, but that’s how I feel.
FALINSKI: I’ve got a bigger question for Pat. Would he take a cat on his e-bike? That’s the big question.
GORMAN: No.
FALINSKI: All right.
CONNELL: No.
FALINSKI: Wow, you really are anti-cat.
CONNELL: I’m just going to tease the viewers and say we’ll find out next week. Apparently the pets are on carry cases. Presumably, I guess you have them in your lap. Doesn’t help Pat’s allergies. Patrick, Jason, more of the big issues next week. Thank you.
