Interview with Jaynie Seal on Sky News

‍Subjects: China's Pacific missile test, Australia and Fiji agreement, Housing supply, Data centres

E&OE.........

Jaynie Seal

Returning to one of our top stories: China is warning it will test a nuclear-capable missile in the South Pacific. As Canberra intensifies its battle with Beijing for influence in the Pacific, joining us live for more is Shadow Housing and Environment Minister, Andrew Bragg. Senator, thank you so much for joining us. We just heard from the Acting Prime Minister, Richard Marles, just a short time ago, and he mentioned that they were informed by China today of the intention to test a long-range missile in the next 24 hours. He said he was very concerned about any actions to undermine the stability of the Indo-Pacific region. What is your reaction to the announcement from China?

Senator Bragg

Well, these are very deeply concerning developments, and we have worked very hard to preserve peace and good order in the Pacific. The testing of nuclear weapons sounds very concerning to me, and the fact that such a short time has been provided in terms of a notice period is also very troubling.

Jaynie Seal

And Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and the Fijian Prime Minister prior to that made the announcement—it was a signed agreement which the Prime Minister described as a significant deal that cannot be underestimated. What did you make of the deal between our Prime Minister and the Fijian Prime Minister?

Senator Bragg

We support the deal; we think it is a good step forward. We worked very hard in government to support the Pacific through the step-up, and we are of the view that the Pacific is effectively Australia's backyard. We have very strong cultural ties to countries like PNG and to Fiji, but you have to work harder than just relying on your cultural ties and links. You also have to back it up with economic and diplomatic engagement, which this appears to be more of, and we welcome it.

Jaynie Seal

All right, well, let's jump to some other news. Auction clearance rates in Australia have dropped below 50% for the ninth week in a row. How concerning is this?

Senator Bragg

Well, in the main, the main game in housing is going to be the supply factors and the demand factors. So, on the supply side, what you see is a significant undersupply of housing. This government has reduced housing supply by 30,000 houses a year despite investing $80 billion in it. What we have seen is a very large migration programme; we have seen the population grow by 2 million since Labor came to office in 2022. The combination of those factors, as well as other things like higher building costs and low productivity, have heavily affected the affordability of housing in Australia.

Jaynie Seal

All right, I just want to turn our attention to what I was talking to you about before regarding China. The news from state media, as we can see on our screen, is that China has actually launched that missile in the South Pacific. So, it doesn't sound like we had too much warning at all, and of course, we heard just prior to our conversation Richard Marles saying how concerned he is. Let's talk a little bit more on this now. The ramifications of what is going to happen, the timing, and the short notice that we have received from China—what is your reaction to that?

Senator Bragg

Well, these are very concerning developments. The fact that very little notice was given, and the fact that it is a nuclear test, are all very concerning factors. We will have more to say about this as more information emerges. Ted O'Brien and James Paterson will be making some comments about this shortly.

Jaynie Seal

All right, yes, it certainly is unfolding as we speak, so we, of course, will keep our viewers up to date on it as well. Before we let you go, big news on data centres. We know that tech is moving at great speeds. The HIA, the Housing Industry Association, came on earlier. They welcomed data centres, but they do have concerns regarding land for housing, skills, energy, and water usage. They certainly welcome the data centres, but what are your concerns regarding land for housing?

Senator Bragg

Well, we need to have more houses, and we need to have more data centres because these are the things that we need to be strong as a country. We need to house our citizens, and we also want to have close proximity to data centres because these are the things that will be powering artificial intelligence and other technology capabilities of the present and the future. So, to the extent possible, we want to build community support for these things to be assembled in communities. It is not a good idea for the NIMBYs to take control of the debate around housing or the debate around data centres, because we will be a poorer nation if they are able to win.

Jaynie Seal

Senator Andrew Bragg, thank you so much for joining us.

[Ends]