Interview with Karl Stefanovic on the Today Show

‍Subjects: Israel-Iran conflict, Amazon’s data centre investment, Olympics rowing in Rockhampton

E&OE………

Karl Stefanovic

Joining us to discuss today's headlines is Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations Amanda Rishworth and New South Wales Liberal Senator Andrew Bragg. Good morning, guys, nice to see you. Busy weekend wasn't it, and terrible. Amanda, do you support Israel's war with Iran?

Amanda Rishworth

Well, firstly, I would say that obviously it's really alarming, the escalation. Of course, Israel has a right to defend itself, but we would be urging all parties for dialogue and de-escalation. There needs to be tensions brought down here because the consequences will be significant if it spills over into a wider conflict. Of course, the personal consequences are really significant. Obviously, there'd be a lot of concern for Australians, both in Israel and Iran. Of course, the advice there, of course, is shelter in place and watch Smartraveller.

Karl Stefanovic

It's incredibly delicate even to get involved on the sidelines diplomatically. Iran is a state sponsor of terror, as you know. Why would Penny Wong ring her Iranian counterpart?

Amanda Rishworth

Well, I think there has been a dialogue both with the Israeli Government and Iran, because I think we want to see a de-escalation of this. We want to see restraint shown by Iran, and we want to see dialogue actually happening. I think that's in the interest across the globe, particularly the region, to see this conflict de-escalate, and I think most leaders around the world are urging for that.

Karl Stefanovic

I'm not sure that they'll be listening to a little old Australia. Andrew, this war will have a global impact. Oil prices look like they're going up. The markets are jittery. It could have an impact on inflation. Where does the Coalition stand?

Senator Bragg

Well, I think we have to be frank and honest about what's at stake here. What's at stake is that Iran wants a nuclear weapon. It wants to wipe Israel off the map. If we were in Israel's shoes, we would not tolerate a country nearby us getting a nuclear weapon, and so I think Israel is trying to stop that from happening. That's a good thing for humanity because these guys are the worst regime anywhere on the planet. These are seriously bad people, and they should never be given an opportunity to have a nuclear weapon.

Karl Stefanovic

Amanda, do you think Iranians are bad people?

Amanda Rishworth

Well, look, firstly, I would say that what is important now is the conflict at hand. What we don't want to see is this spillover into a broader regional conflict. Of course, we condemn any strikes on populated areas and have called on Iran to show restraint. But I think what's important here is that we do see a de-escalation of tensions here because if this spills over, it has much bigger ramifications.

Karl Stefanovic

Amanda, is AUKUS safe for the PM's meeting with Donald Trump. Is it safe?

Amanda Rishworth

Well, firstly, I would say that there has been broad bipartisan support, both across the Congress in the US, but also with the Trump Administration. The AUKUS arrangements actually are very beneficial for defence industries here in Australia, but also in the US. I don't think we should be too alarmed by a review. That's exactly what the UK did. Obviously, this will be an issue that will be raised by the Prime Minister, but I think there's broad support for the benefits that AUKUS brings.

Karl Stefanovic

Okay Andrew, Amazon's announced a massive deal with Australia, and not everyone's happy about it. I guess cutting a deal with a company that secures valuable public contracts and avoids tax is going to wind people up. They made $6.6 billion last year. Guess how much tax they paid? $125 million. That's going to get a lot of people hot under the collar.

Senator Bragg

Look, I'm not sure how much tax they paid in Australia, and that's a fair question. But the real point here is that artificial intelligence and new technologies could actually be a great opportunity for Australia to lift its very sluggish productivity, if it's done in the right way. And I think the government's got a very questionable commitment to the whole idea of it. I mean, Tim Ayres, who's the Industry Minister, was saying the other day, that he wants to put the unions in charge of AI. I mean, that's a recipe to destroy our competitive position. And we welcome foreign investment; we want the jobs. But we've got to look like we actually are committed to the future rather than just wanting to put the unions in charge of everything.

Karl Stefanovic

Amanda, I mean, that's not a lot of tax that they're paying. They are avoiding tax, there's no doubt about that. You don't have a problem with that?

Amanda Rishworth

Well, firstly, this investment, which has been announced to be around $20 billion to uplift our data storage and AI capability, is a really important investment for jobs, but also, importantly, for our economy...

Karl Stefanovic

You don't care about the tax?

Amanda Rishworth

No, but what I would say is any company operating in Australia has to abide by Australian law, whether that is in workplace relations, whether that is tax arrangements. There's Australian law, and if you operate here, you've got to abide by it. But I think the capability uplift - and I would just say about Andrew's comments, it is really important that workers are a part of the discussion about how AI is going to affect their jobs along with business. It's an important discussion to have, and he shouldn't undermine that discussion.

Karl Stefanovic

We have to go, but I just wanted to raise this one really quickly. What about these guys in Great Britain? The Great Britain Rowing team. They've released this shot here that has used AI, whether or not that's been controlled by the unions or not, I'm not sure. However, a Frenchman will decide whether or not the rowing goes ahead in Rockhampton, which I think’s perfectly acceptable. Rocky is a great place, and the Fitzroy River is one of the great parts of the world, but have the Brits got soft, Amanda?

Amanda Rishworth

Look, I can't comment on the British team…

Karl Stefanovic

Come on!

Amanda Rishworth

But you know, I'm sure that you could go in and maybe go rowing there and demonstrate to them there's nothing to be afraid of. ..

Karl Stefanovic

Yeah!

Amanda Rishworth

And don't use AI!

Karl Stefanovic

I can do that. Andrew, what about you? I mean, come on.

Senator Bragg

Well Karl, I'm not sure whether you have a vested interest here, mate, but I think the good people of New South Wales would be very happy to host the rowing...

Karl Stefanovic

I'm sure.

Senator Bragg

In Sydney, in Penrith, if need be. So, yeah.

Karl Stefanovic

Stay out and let Queensland host the Olympics. Good on you guys. Thank you so much. Appreciate it. 

[Ends]