1 00:00:00,200 --> 00:00:03,040 Speaker 1: And we do know that today is indeed the day 2 00:00:03,040 --> 00:00:06,080 Speaker 1: when Territorians are going to pause to commemorate the eighty 3 00:00:06,120 --> 00:00:09,880 Speaker 1: third anniversary of the bombing of Darwin. On February nineteen, 4 00:00:10,280 --> 00:00:13,880 Speaker 1: nineteen forty two, Mainland Australia came under attack for the 5 00:00:13,920 --> 00:00:17,360 Speaker 1: first time. A service is this morning going to be 6 00:00:17,400 --> 00:00:19,960 Speaker 1: held at the Cenotaph. And joining me on the line 7 00:00:20,120 --> 00:00:22,960 Speaker 1: as he makes his way to that service is the 8 00:00:23,000 --> 00:00:26,479 Speaker 1: Deputy Prime Minister, Richard Marles. Good morning to you, Deputy 9 00:00:26,520 --> 00:00:27,080 Speaker 1: Prime Minister. 10 00:00:27,960 --> 00:00:28,760 Speaker 2: Good morning Katie. 11 00:00:28,760 --> 00:00:31,000 Speaker 1: How are you yeah, not too bad? Thank you so 12 00:00:31,120 --> 00:00:34,560 Speaker 1: much for your time this morning. Now, Deputy Prime Minister, 13 00:00:34,600 --> 00:00:37,479 Speaker 1: we know that today is an important day, not just 14 00:00:37,520 --> 00:00:40,159 Speaker 1: for Darwin, but for the whole of Australia. It is 15 00:00:40,240 --> 00:00:44,360 Speaker 1: also a stark reminder of the fact that war can 16 00:00:44,440 --> 00:00:47,960 Speaker 1: indeed reach our shores, isn't it It is? 17 00:00:48,040 --> 00:00:50,800 Speaker 2: And you know today is a very solemn day. I mean, 18 00:00:50,840 --> 00:00:53,400 Speaker 2: this is the commemoration of the day that the Second 19 00:00:53,400 --> 00:00:57,080 Speaker 2: World War came to Australia. Indeed, it's the day when 20 00:00:57,120 --> 00:01:01,080 Speaker 2: all war came to Australia in that sense, and it 21 00:01:01,120 --> 00:01:03,920 Speaker 2: was a very significant loss of life, more than two 22 00:01:04,040 --> 00:01:06,560 Speaker 2: hundred and fifty people lost their life on that day. 23 00:01:06,600 --> 00:01:11,240 Speaker 2: Eight ships were sunk. It was a very significant battle 24 00:01:11,400 --> 00:01:14,600 Speaker 2: in which more bombs were dropped on Darwin than were 25 00:01:14,680 --> 00:01:17,520 Speaker 2: dropped on Pearl Harbor. And I think one of the 26 00:01:17,840 --> 00:01:21,760 Speaker 2: to pick up your point, one of the stark reminders 27 00:01:21,880 --> 00:01:27,000 Speaker 2: as we make this commemoration today is the significance of Darwin. 28 00:01:27,280 --> 00:01:29,360 Speaker 2: I when the bombing of Darwin happened back in nineteen 29 00:01:29,400 --> 00:01:33,520 Speaker 2: forty two, because American knew how significant Darwin was and 30 00:01:33,560 --> 00:01:35,720 Speaker 2: they had a whole lot of ships here. But Japan 31 00:01:35,800 --> 00:01:38,120 Speaker 2: knew how significant dam was and they wanted to deny 32 00:01:38,160 --> 00:01:41,520 Speaker 2: it as a base for support as they were in 33 00:01:41,600 --> 00:01:44,479 Speaker 2: pent as they were contemplating an invasion of Java. As 34 00:01:44,520 --> 00:01:50,320 Speaker 2: we look today, Darwin remains deeply embedded in Australia's strategic heart. 35 00:01:50,360 --> 00:01:53,480 Speaker 2: It's why Darwin today is really one of the great 36 00:01:53,520 --> 00:01:57,640 Speaker 2: garrison cities of our nation, at the proud home of 37 00:01:57,680 --> 00:02:00,960 Speaker 2: the US Marine Rotation Force Darwin. And so I think 38 00:02:01,840 --> 00:02:07,440 Speaker 2: the strategic significance of this place is something that echoes 39 00:02:07,480 --> 00:02:10,440 Speaker 2: across the ages from nineteen forty two right through to 40 00:02:10,480 --> 00:02:12,679 Speaker 2: the present, and it does remind us about the need 41 00:02:12,760 --> 00:02:17,440 Speaker 2: to continually invest in Darwin to make sure that it 42 00:02:17,520 --> 00:02:20,320 Speaker 2: can be the wonderful national asset for our nation that 43 00:02:20,400 --> 00:02:20,720 Speaker 2: it is. 44 00:02:20,960 --> 00:02:23,520 Speaker 1: It really needs to be right. We know that we 45 00:02:23,600 --> 00:02:27,760 Speaker 1: are so strategically important. We know though, that we are vulnerable. 46 00:02:27,800 --> 00:02:30,640 Speaker 1: I guess in some ways now talk us through. I 47 00:02:30,720 --> 00:02:33,560 Speaker 1: understand that you are making an announcement today about a 48 00:02:33,600 --> 00:02:37,480 Speaker 1: new weapons training simulator at Robertson Barracks. What exactly is 49 00:02:37,520 --> 00:02:39,359 Speaker 1: this going to mean for the Northern Territory. 50 00:02:40,600 --> 00:02:45,040 Speaker 2: Well, it's another example of an investment in our northern bass. 51 00:02:46,000 --> 00:02:52,040 Speaker 2: This training facility greatly increases the capability of Robinson Barracks 52 00:02:52,320 --> 00:02:55,120 Speaker 2: and allows a whole lot of training to occurred there 53 00:02:55,200 --> 00:02:58,360 Speaker 2: that up until this moment in time couldn't And so 54 00:02:59,680 --> 00:03:03,680 Speaker 2: it is a significant capability, one which we've not had 55 00:03:04,600 --> 00:03:08,360 Speaker 2: at Robinson before. But I think the way to see 56 00:03:08,360 --> 00:03:10,880 Speaker 2: this is in the context of the overall investment that 57 00:03:10,880 --> 00:03:14,480 Speaker 2: we're making across our northern bases in the whole of 58 00:03:14,520 --> 00:03:17,120 Speaker 2: Northern Australia, particularly here in the territory. I mean, if 59 00:03:17,120 --> 00:03:20,800 Speaker 2: you look at Tyndall in Catherine, at rap Base, Stalin, 60 00:03:20,840 --> 00:03:27,359 Speaker 2: at the airport at Kunewarra, and Larakia, at Robinson itself, 61 00:03:27,400 --> 00:03:30,160 Speaker 2: it is vivians of dollars of investment be at a 62 00:03:30,240 --> 00:03:34,560 Speaker 2: new wharf at Kernel Warra, a bit upgrades to the 63 00:03:34,639 --> 00:03:38,400 Speaker 2: runway at RAP Base Stalin and RAP based Tindall, new 64 00:03:38,400 --> 00:03:43,040 Speaker 2: accommodation of Robinson and this new training facility now Robinson Barracks. 65 00:03:43,320 --> 00:03:46,800 Speaker 2: All of this is a significant investment in the North. 66 00:03:47,320 --> 00:03:50,520 Speaker 2: We will see more personnel based in the North. I 67 00:03:50,520 --> 00:03:56,560 Speaker 2: think you will see a growing a growing American footprint 68 00:03:56,560 --> 00:04:00,480 Speaker 2: in terms of the Marines in Darwin. This is good 69 00:04:00,480 --> 00:04:03,040 Speaker 2: news for the territory. It's great in terms of investment, 70 00:04:03,160 --> 00:04:06,440 Speaker 2: and there are all opportunities for territory businesses and daring businesses. 71 00:04:06,720 --> 00:04:08,960 Speaker 2: But it is to your broader point. It's like it 72 00:04:09,000 --> 00:04:11,280 Speaker 2: really does actually speak to the significance of how much 73 00:04:11,280 --> 00:04:15,760 Speaker 2: this place matters. This is our connection to the world 74 00:04:15,840 --> 00:04:20,839 Speaker 2: beyond Australia and we are located closer to the geographic 75 00:04:20,920 --> 00:04:23,760 Speaker 2: center of our national security here in Darwen than perhaps 76 00:04:23,800 --> 00:04:25,000 Speaker 2: any other place on the continent. 77 00:04:25,200 --> 00:04:27,559 Speaker 1: Deputy Prime Minister, We of course here in the Northern 78 00:04:27,640 --> 00:04:30,560 Speaker 1: Territory know how important this place is. We all love 79 00:04:30,640 --> 00:04:33,240 Speaker 1: living here, but we do seem to have a bit 80 00:04:33,240 --> 00:04:35,480 Speaker 1: of an issue at the moment trying to keep defense 81 00:04:35,560 --> 00:04:38,520 Speaker 1: families in Darwa and I think part of that are 82 00:04:38,560 --> 00:04:40,880 Speaker 1: the issues that we've seen around crime and law and 83 00:04:41,000 --> 00:04:44,920 Speaker 1: order over recent years. But is there some specific work 84 00:04:44,920 --> 00:04:47,839 Speaker 1: that is happening to try to keep defense families or 85 00:04:47,880 --> 00:04:52,280 Speaker 1: to indeed post defense families to darw and keep them here. 86 00:04:53,600 --> 00:04:55,440 Speaker 2: Yeah, Look, it's a really good question. So I think 87 00:04:55,640 --> 00:04:59,680 Speaker 2: at the highest level we have tried to make clear 88 00:05:00,320 --> 00:05:02,920 Speaker 2: and have made clear throughout the Department of Defense in 89 00:05:02,960 --> 00:05:08,720 Speaker 2: the ADF just at a strategic level, that we must 90 00:05:08,760 --> 00:05:12,560 Speaker 2: see Darwin as a national asset. It matters that it's 91 00:05:12,560 --> 00:05:14,320 Speaker 2: here for all the reasons we've talked about, and therefore 92 00:05:14,320 --> 00:05:16,479 Speaker 2: we have to invest in it. I think where you 93 00:05:16,520 --> 00:05:18,800 Speaker 2: go to from there is that it's really important that 94 00:05:18,839 --> 00:05:23,840 Speaker 2: we are encouraging defense families to see Darwin as a 95 00:05:23,880 --> 00:05:27,560 Speaker 2: place where they can move and make their home, and so, 96 00:05:27,800 --> 00:05:31,039 Speaker 2: you know, just to fundamentally speak more positively about the 97 00:05:31,080 --> 00:05:34,400 Speaker 2: opportunities that the wonderful opportunities that there are here in Darwen. 98 00:05:34,640 --> 00:05:39,160 Speaker 2: But at a more practical level, we are investing significantly housing. 99 00:05:40,480 --> 00:05:42,960 Speaker 2: Those sort of nuts and bolt tissues obviously matter to 100 00:05:43,000 --> 00:05:46,000 Speaker 2: any family making a decision whether to come here. Since 101 00:05:46,040 --> 00:05:48,080 Speaker 2: twenty twenty two, we've spent a better part of half 102 00:05:48,080 --> 00:05:52,600 Speaker 2: a billion dollars on improving our housing stock here defense 103 00:05:52,600 --> 00:05:56,080 Speaker 2: housing stock here in the Northern Territory. That's both a 104 00:05:56,120 --> 00:06:00,880 Speaker 2: combination of new houses and refurbishing older houses. That does 105 00:06:01,080 --> 00:06:03,320 Speaker 2: make a difference, and I think that's an example of 106 00:06:03,360 --> 00:06:05,920 Speaker 2: the kind of practical steps that we need to take 107 00:06:06,040 --> 00:06:10,280 Speaker 2: to kind of make real the encouragement that we give 108 00:06:10,360 --> 00:06:13,840 Speaker 2: to defense families to come and stay here. But come 109 00:06:13,880 --> 00:06:17,120 Speaker 2: back to the fundamental point, we must see Darwin as 110 00:06:17,120 --> 00:06:19,520 Speaker 2: an asset. We do see Darwin as a national asset, 111 00:06:19,560 --> 00:06:21,280 Speaker 2: and that means we have to invest in it. We 112 00:06:22,160 --> 00:06:26,040 Speaker 2: are doing that by having more more of a footprint 113 00:06:26,040 --> 00:06:29,360 Speaker 2: of Australian Defense Force here which is already large but growing, 114 00:06:30,040 --> 00:06:34,479 Speaker 2: and also encouraging a greater footprint from America. And of 115 00:06:34,480 --> 00:06:38,080 Speaker 2: course last November we announced that members of the Japanese 116 00:06:38,120 --> 00:06:40,440 Speaker 2: Self Defense Force would do training here as well. 117 00:06:40,760 --> 00:06:43,719 Speaker 1: Now, Deputy Prime Minister, I do want to ask you, obviously, 118 00:06:43,760 --> 00:06:45,920 Speaker 1: yesterday we got some good news finally with the much 119 00:06:45,960 --> 00:06:49,440 Speaker 1: needed rate cush the Reserve Bank of Australia lowering interest 120 00:06:49,520 --> 00:06:52,200 Speaker 1: rates by zero point two five percent for the first 121 00:06:52,240 --> 00:06:56,920 Speaker 1: time since twenty twenty. It is good news. This is 122 00:06:57,040 --> 00:07:00,159 Speaker 1: a helpful step, but it really doesn't do enough to 123 00:07:00,200 --> 00:07:03,000 Speaker 1: lower the cost of living for Australians, does it. 124 00:07:04,320 --> 00:07:08,279 Speaker 2: Well, look, I mean yesterday was obviously a release, but 125 00:07:08,720 --> 00:07:10,280 Speaker 2: we get that there's a long way to go, and 126 00:07:10,320 --> 00:07:13,360 Speaker 2: we also understand how difficult it has been for people 127 00:07:13,840 --> 00:07:17,920 Speaker 2: across the country. I mean, what we're experiencing in Australia 128 00:07:18,000 --> 00:07:21,240 Speaker 2: is being experienced across the developed world a high inflationary 129 00:07:21,360 --> 00:07:25,800 Speaker 2: environment in the aftermath of the pandemic and also the 130 00:07:25,800 --> 00:07:28,120 Speaker 2: war in Ukraine. I mean, when we came to office, 131 00:07:28,320 --> 00:07:31,679 Speaker 2: inflation was running at six point one percent. We've really 132 00:07:31,680 --> 00:07:35,760 Speaker 2: worked hard to get that Town two budget services, which 133 00:07:35,880 --> 00:07:38,800 Speaker 2: in turn has released the country from tens of billions 134 00:07:38,840 --> 00:07:43,800 Speaker 2: of dollars of liberal debt, and that in turn has 135 00:07:43,800 --> 00:07:45,920 Speaker 2: put it down with pressure on inflation, which has allowed 136 00:07:45,920 --> 00:07:48,600 Speaker 2: the decision to be made. But like all of our 137 00:07:48,640 --> 00:07:50,920 Speaker 2: focus is on cost of living measures. It's why we 138 00:07:51,040 --> 00:07:55,440 Speaker 2: provided a tax cut to every income earner last year, 139 00:07:56,120 --> 00:07:59,160 Speaker 2: energy bill, release more affordable childcare, cheaper medicine than I 140 00:07:59,160 --> 00:08:02,680 Speaker 2: could go on. The focus of our government really since 141 00:08:02,720 --> 00:08:05,640 Speaker 2: coming to power has been cost of living and there 142 00:08:05,800 --> 00:08:08,520 Speaker 2: is along you know that we've got further to go, 143 00:08:08,720 --> 00:08:11,320 Speaker 2: but I think what yesterday does provide is lined at 144 00:08:11,320 --> 00:08:12,040 Speaker 2: the end of the tunnel. 145 00:08:12,040 --> 00:08:14,040 Speaker 1: Well, it does to some degree. But I think for 146 00:08:14,120 --> 00:08:16,880 Speaker 1: those of us living in more regional parts of Australia 147 00:08:17,000 --> 00:08:20,960 Speaker 1: like Darwin, you know, Alice Springs, Mount Eiser, far North Queensland, 148 00:08:21,000 --> 00:08:23,720 Speaker 1: wherever you want to go, there's an added element when 149 00:08:23,720 --> 00:08:26,000 Speaker 1: it comes to cost of living because we are all here, 150 00:08:26,040 --> 00:08:28,840 Speaker 1: we're all doing our bit and working hard. But when 151 00:08:28,880 --> 00:08:31,880 Speaker 1: you try to fly anywhere else in the country, you know, 152 00:08:32,440 --> 00:08:35,400 Speaker 1: when you're trying to sort of head into state, it 153 00:08:35,520 --> 00:08:38,199 Speaker 1: is enormously expensive to be able to go back and 154 00:08:38,280 --> 00:08:40,760 Speaker 1: visit your family. Is there anything sort of happening from 155 00:08:40,800 --> 00:08:44,720 Speaker 1: the federal government's perspective in terms of trying to lower 156 00:08:44,840 --> 00:08:48,200 Speaker 1: the cost of flights or do more for regional Australians 157 00:08:48,240 --> 00:08:49,359 Speaker 1: in this space. 158 00:08:50,240 --> 00:08:53,080 Speaker 2: Well, I mean I totally accept that point. I mean 159 00:08:53,080 --> 00:08:56,800 Speaker 2: there are at a cost associated with essentially transported people 160 00:08:56,840 --> 00:09:00,280 Speaker 2: and goods that flow through to those who are living 161 00:09:00,720 --> 00:09:03,800 Speaker 2: in regional Australia. I mean what I think it puts 162 00:09:03,840 --> 00:09:06,040 Speaker 2: into stark a relief the need for governments to be 163 00:09:06,080 --> 00:09:08,439 Speaker 2: focused on cost of living relief. And as I say, 164 00:09:08,520 --> 00:09:11,480 Speaker 2: that's that's what we've been doing, and we are in 165 00:09:12,120 --> 00:09:15,760 Speaker 2: lots of ways thinking about how we can do more 166 00:09:15,760 --> 00:09:22,360 Speaker 2: in terms of regional connection with aviation. Obviously we've seen 167 00:09:22,720 --> 00:09:25,520 Speaker 2: what's happened with Rex oil lines. We were certainly not 168 00:09:25,640 --> 00:09:28,840 Speaker 2: about to let those places which were serviced by bad 169 00:09:28,840 --> 00:09:34,400 Speaker 2: airline be left behind. Now hasten to say we've really 170 00:09:34,440 --> 00:09:38,160 Speaker 2: done all that in the face of opposition from Peter 171 00:09:38,240 --> 00:09:41,439 Speaker 2: Dutton on the Liberals, I mean they but it is 172 00:09:41,480 --> 00:09:43,280 Speaker 2: important to understand that change. 173 00:09:43,840 --> 00:09:46,240 Speaker 1: I mean, could there be some changes to things like cabotage, 174 00:09:46,240 --> 00:09:49,960 Speaker 1: Could there be some incentives or some things done a 175 00:09:50,000 --> 00:09:52,120 Speaker 1: bit differently for regional Australia. 176 00:09:53,520 --> 00:09:55,680 Speaker 2: Well, I think it is. It is really important that 177 00:09:55,720 --> 00:10:02,120 Speaker 2: we're doing everything we can to maintain the connection between 178 00:10:02,160 --> 00:10:06,960 Speaker 2: regional Australia and where goods are coming from and where 179 00:10:07,000 --> 00:10:10,439 Speaker 2: people are seeking to travel to, and we are looking 180 00:10:10,480 --> 00:10:15,359 Speaker 2: at all of those. But everything we do in respective 181 00:10:15,440 --> 00:10:19,920 Speaker 2: cost of living in urban Australia flows through to regional 182 00:10:20,000 --> 00:10:25,040 Speaker 2: Australia as well, and every step we have taken seeks 183 00:10:25,040 --> 00:10:27,199 Speaker 2: to make cost of living from the center and what 184 00:10:28,040 --> 00:10:29,120 Speaker 2: we are trying to achieve. 185 00:10:29,280 --> 00:10:31,240 Speaker 1: There is no doubt cost of living is going to 186 00:10:31,280 --> 00:10:35,080 Speaker 1: be a major election issue very quickly. I know you're 187 00:10:35,120 --> 00:10:36,360 Speaker 1: trying to get out of the car to get to 188 00:10:36,400 --> 00:10:39,720 Speaker 1: the bombing of Darwin commemorations. I mean, when is this 189 00:10:39,840 --> 00:10:42,040 Speaker 1: election going to be called? No, are you concerned about 190 00:10:42,040 --> 00:10:44,800 Speaker 1: the recent polling that is showing that Labors on the 191 00:10:44,840 --> 00:10:46,640 Speaker 1: nose with some voters. 192 00:10:47,679 --> 00:10:49,839 Speaker 2: Well, look, I think the only person who knows the 193 00:10:49,920 --> 00:10:52,320 Speaker 2: data is the Prime Minister. And I perspect where I 194 00:10:52,480 --> 00:10:54,760 Speaker 2: to have a punt at what that might be on 195 00:10:55,320 --> 00:10:57,360 Speaker 2: your program today. That would be a career living move, 196 00:10:57,440 --> 00:11:01,200 Speaker 2: so I attemp to do that. What we are focused 197 00:11:01,200 --> 00:11:04,719 Speaker 2: on telling our story and you know we've been very 198 00:11:04,720 --> 00:11:07,480 Speaker 2: focused on cost of living issues. As I've said, we 199 00:11:07,559 --> 00:11:10,040 Speaker 2: are looking forward to the opportunity of telling that story 200 00:11:10,080 --> 00:11:12,800 Speaker 2: and the lead up to the next election, and then 201 00:11:12,840 --> 00:11:14,440 Speaker 2: it will be a matter for the train public. 202 00:11:15,040 --> 00:11:16,960 Speaker 1: All right, Deputy Prime Minister, will let you go. I 203 00:11:16,960 --> 00:11:18,800 Speaker 1: know you've got a busy morning ahead. Thanks so much 204 00:11:18,840 --> 00:11:19,800 Speaker 1: for your time this morning. 205 00:11:20,600 --> 00:11:21,760 Speaker 2: Thanks Bettie, Thank you.