Interview with Tom Connell on Sky News

‍Subjects: AUKUS Review, Israel’s strikes against Iran, Pro ductivity roundtable

E&OE………

Tom Connell

Shadow Housing and Productivity Minister Andrew Bragg. Thank you for your time. What do you make of this review? This was an agreement, of course, struck by Scott Morrison. If this is an adverse review, we don't really have a plan B, do we?

Senator Bragg

Well, I don't think it's unremarkable for a newish government to review something material like this. But ultimately, what matters is what's in the President's mind. I think even if the review was adverse, I think ultimately the President really does rule the roost in the United States. And so that's why it is essential that the Prime Minister of Australia is able to speak directly to the President of the United States.

Tom Connell

Okay, but does it bring into focus, at some point, we'll get to the point of no return, and there is no plan B at the moment? Is there, in terms of us having capability to defend ourselves in terms of a submarine deterrence?

Senator Bragg

We are heavily invested in this concept of AUKUS, which is a bipartisan position of Australia. And ultimately, the President's administration is conducting a review. We have no reason to believe that it isn't in some way routine. But we don't really know because, unlike other world leaders, our Prime Minister has not yet met with President Trump. So, there are many questions here.

Tom Connell

Well, he's going to. We've had the Richard Miles meeting with Pete Hegseth, so the defence level things. When you say heavily invested, are we also heavily reliant that the US holds the whip hand here? If they want to press us for more money to help increase the ability of the US to actually build these things, we'll just have to say yes, won't we?

Senator Bragg

Well, I don't think it's a state secret that Australia has invested heavily in this concept of AUKUS. And that's because it's a bipartisan position that this is going to help us achieve a peace position in our own region. We have made a judgement that is the best position for our country. And the big question mark here arises because there hasn't yet been that meeting at the apex of our government. So, we hope that meeting happens soon, and it can hopefully put to rest any doubt that the review may arise.

Tom Connell

All right. Well, the meeting, we think will happen soon at the G7. There's a fair bit on Donald Trump's plate. Let me ask you about these strikes from Israel and Iran. The Israeli Prime Minister saying these are pre-emptive: his justification for this. Are they justified from what you've heard of Benjamin Netanyahu today?

Senator Bragg

This is not the first time that Israel has taken steps to defend itself against the Iranian nuclear program. And I think all fair-minded people across the globe would agree that it would be a bad idea, a very bad idea, for Iran to have a nuclear weapon. And so that is what Israel has sought to prevent from happening because if we were in Israel's shoes, we will not accept the position that a hostile neighbour, which was determined to destroy us, would be armed with a nuclear bomb.

Tom Connell

So, you're backing what Israel has done, despite the fact there were about to be meetings between Iran and the US.

Senator Bragg

Of course, we always wanted there to be engagement and dialogue. But the position has been for many decades that it is not a good idea for Iran to acquire that type of technology. And so there have been many instances in the past where Israel has had to take out particular people and individuals who have been trying to give Tehran that capability. I mean, Tehran's position is to destroy Israel. So, I don't think Australians would accept a position that a near neighbour of ours would be allowed to have a position of destroying us and then being given the capability to do so.

Tom Connell

Okay, let me ask you about housing. Obviously, when we talk about productivity in this country, it's in a slump. And housing is probably Exhibit A when you think of the hindrance to productivity within that. Will you be seeking to attend the summit that the government is holding on this and contribute?

Senator Bragg

I think it's a good idea that the Treasurer and the Prime Minister have now found productivity. And this is an area which has been significantly lagging over the last three years. There's a lot of red tape and a bad record on productivity. So, a meeting or any movement here is going to be positive. We will be constructive, and as you say, the building sector is one example where there is a real lack of productivity.

Tom Connell

Will you be seeking to go? And have you asked, I guess, the key question, whether you'll be welcome?

Senator Bragg

Well, it's not my meeting, but certainly if we are asked, we will attend we will be constructive. We know that the industry at large is very worried about the government's general disposition to enhance the size of the state at the expense of the market. And as you know, most of the jobs growth in Australia in the past few years have been that non-market growth, but there's not a lot of productivity.

Tom Connell

Yeah. Nearly out of time, but hang on, you say, if we're asked, we'll go. You can look down the barrel now and say, I'd like to come. Can you please invite me?

Senator Bragg

We're happy to engage. We're happy to be productive on an issue as important as productivity.

Tom Connell

All right. So, you'd like to go?

Senator Bragg

It's not my program, but we're very happy to participate. If we get invited, we will definitely attend. We're happy to engage in any work in the lead up to the event to make sure that it's productive, because I think there's probably a few sacred cows on Labor's side where they don't really want to go there. But that's where a lot of the productivity gains will be, for example, in the building sector, where the CFMEU writes all their policies.

Tom Connell

Yeah, sacred. I know you spoke about sacred cows on your side as well, so you say you're willing to sacrifice them. We will see. We'll see if you get an invite as well. Senator Andrew Bragg. Thank you.

Senator Bragg

Thanks, Tom.

[Ends]