Interview with Joel Dry on the Today Show

SENATOR ANDREW BRAGG

Shadow Minister for Productivity and Deregulation

Shadow Minister for Housing and Homelessness

Liberal Senator for New South Wales

TRANSCRIPT

Interview with Joel Dry on the Today Show

12 January 2026

Subjects: Anti-government protests in Iran, work-life balance.

E&OE………

Joel Dry

Joining us to discuss today's headlines is Liberal Senator Andrew Bragg in Sydney and 3AW's Shane McInnes in Melbourne. Andrew, first to you, is Trump right to consider military intervention?

Senator Bragg

Well, Iran are the baddest people on earth pretty much. I mean, this is the worst regime. They're harbouring terrorists. They're terrible to their own people. And so, the best thing we could do for humanity would be to get rid of the Iranian regime. So, my hope is that the US will consider all its options to rid humanity of these terrible people.

Joel Dry

Seems a long way from Trump claiming no new wars, but here we are. Shane, first to Venezuela for you. Is the US at the risk of overestimating its own power here?

Shane McInnes

I think when it comes to Venezuela, Joel, I mean, I think there was a lot of support when we; when the US toppled Maduro. You have a dictator, an illegitimate president. So, I think there was some widespread support for that. However, it's what the US does now. I think this is the question for Venezuelan people: what is the US's long-term plan for how they plan to govern or at least oversee Venezuela for the time being? The question then becomes, as you were just talking to Andrew about, what does the US want to do next? Donald Trump has already spoken about Colombia. He's already spoken about intervention in Mexico. Again, this even kind of goes against his own base at the moment when it comes to ‘America first’.

Joel Dry

Yeah, it's a lot going on in the foreign sphere, but domestically, the US has also got some issues. They seem to be at odds with these ICE protests that are ongoing at the moment. We saw that, you know, very tragic killing of a woman in Minneapolis. What's he got going on there? Is his foreign issues trying to, you know, mask stuff happening domestically?

Senator Bragg

I think he's got to focus on the big ones. And like, if Iran was to be toppled, I mean, that would be the big one, right? Because they are the global centrepiece of a lot of the bad operations; you know, Hamas, Hezbollah. I mean, they're trying to interfere in our country here in Australia because they hate open Western societies. Meanwhile, they're repressing, of course, their own citizens. So, I know that the US should be focused on the really big ones. I don't think they can sustain a dozen different little proxy wars. And then at home, they've got to be really careful that they're treating people with respect. I mean, they can't go around shooting people. I think they've got to be very careful that they protect their own citizens. If they want to deport people, then they've also got to do it in an orderly way.

Joel Dry

This woman...

Senator Bragg

They can't be shooting people.

Joel Dry

You can't; it seems strange that you have to say that you can't be shooting your own people…

Senator Bragg

No.

Joel Dry

And this woman wasn't even an illegal immigrant…

Senator Bragg

We have to maintain standards in the West, right? I mean, we're not - not going to be in any position to lecture others if we're going around shooting our own people. I mean, it's unacceptable.

Joel Dry

Yeah. Well, let's bring it back to our own shores. It seems Australian workers are no longer eyeing massive salaries, instead seeking better work–life balance. Shane, 83% of Australians say that work–life balance is their number one priority. Does this surprise you in any way?

Shane McInnes

No, I don't think it does, Joel, because the fact is, is that since COVID, we don't work the same. The days of the 9 to 5 work day are gone. I think regimented work hours are gone. A regimented lifestyle is gone. People want more because realistically they experienced more during COVID. And if you're one of these employers that says, ‘look, we need you into the office five days a week,’ you've got to be prepared for people to go, ‘well, hold on, I can work somewhere else and work from home. So, what carrot do I get by coming into the office five days a week? Do I get a gym membership? Do we go out for lunch? Do you provide breakfast?’ I mean, some people will say, ‘oh no, you just work, you just get your money.’ People don't want that anymore. They want variety. They want social outings. They want a way of life. And clearly, people are willing to sacrifice dollars to do that.

Joel Dry

Bit hard to talk about work–life balance when you operate, you know, breakfast TV or late-night radio hosting. Andrew, interesting that it has become such a massive issue, work–life balance. During a cost-of-living crisis, obviously there's other factors we have to consider, right? If we're not getting the pay packet, there's got to be incentives.

Senator Bragg

Well, no one's ever sat on their deathbed and said, ‘geez, I wish I had one more meeting at work’, right? And I think people, generally speaking, want to maximise time with their family and friends. And, so, workplaces have to facilitate that. So, there's a sweet spot there. And that's why Canberra and of course State Governments, whatever, should be facilitating flexible work. Probably, three days in the office, a couple of days working flexibly, would be ideal. And then for the workers, I mean, they're already there, right? I mean, that's what they want. So, you know, I think even if you have a lot of money, I think people now would be conscious that, you know, being with your own children and spending time with your family is actually more important than having a lot of money in the bank.

Joel Dry

Being a politician is noted for work–life balance, right?

Senator Bragg

It's very easy. Very easy to see all the people you love and hate.

Joel Dry

Yes. And the perks in Parliament House? I know there's, there's a gym, you've got bars. It seems like a great place to work.

Senator Bragg

Well, usually you're in the building by six and then you're out by about eight, 8:00PM.

Joel Dry

Right. You're not exactly selling it.

Senator Bragg

Usually, you do 12 to 14 hours. It's a, it's a quick day.

Joel Dry

Shane, 3AW, what's the gym like there?

Shane McInnes

Oh, the gym, the pool, the sauna, the spa. Just... just like Nine Sydney, Joel, I'm sure.

Joel Dry

Yeah, I'm yet to find it. No, I don't normally work here. No one's told me where the pool is, but uh, I'm sure I'll find it. Gentlemen, thank you both for your time.

Shane McInnes

Thank you, mate.

Senator Bragg

Thanks a lot.

[Ends]