Minister for Defence - Transcript - ABC Interview, Tijikala, NT

Topics: The Army Aboriginal Community Assistance Program, Syria.

QUESTION:

Tell me about what you've seen today and what you thought.

MINISTER ANDREWS:

Well this Army Aboriginal Community Assistance Program, which has been going for more that 20 years now is bringing great benefits to Titjikala. Building houses, work with the health centre, providing some dental services, and most significantly putting in a whole new waste disposal system for the water in the town, so this is going to have lasting benefits for the people who live here.

QUESTION:

And what are those lasting benefits?

MINISTER ANDREWS:

Well, the water disposal plant itself has a life of decades into the future. They’re providing additional health services while they're here, building two new duplex houses and also providing and expanded men's shed and the training as well. So not only do we train good welders and people in cooking classes, but in skills which will hopefully be of on going benefit for the local community.

QUESTION:

And how does this empower Aboriginal people to help themselves in the community?

MINISTER ANDREWS:

Well, giving them those skills is very important. I was back there with Kenneth, one of the local Aboriginal men here who is in the process of getting his welding skills and building a barbecue in the process. Other people are build things for the local sporting facilities and things like that so they get a sense of pride in their local community. I think Tijikala has won the Tidy Town award in the Northern Territory on a number of occasions. So it's building that community spirit, but building skills as well. Some of those people are gaining employment because of that training, and that therefore contributes to their families and the community.

QUESTION:

I just have a few questions on Syria from our Canberra reporters. What has the US asked in terms of Australia expanding its role in the battle IS in Syria?

MINISTER ANDREWS:

Well, I've received a letter from the US Defence Secretary, Ash Carter. They've requested that we play a significant role in terms of our Air Force operations. Currently we have a considerable Air Force contribution in Iraq. We have six Hornets there, we have a Wedgetail command and control aircraft there, and we have a refueller as well. So they operate over Iraq at the present time, and the US request is that they could also operate over Syria, in those regions where we are actually fighting against Daesh or ISIL.

QUESTION:

And will we be doing that?

MINISTER ANDREWS:

Well we'll consider that. I'll get advice over the next week or so from the Defence Department and then I will take a recommendation to the National Security Committee of Cabinet.

QUESTION:

And how many extra planes or troops will be needed to expand Australia's operation against IS in Syria?

MINISTER ANDREWS:

It doesn't involve any additional planes or troops. The request is really in relation to our Air Force operations at the moment. We can fight against Daesh, dropping bombs within Iraq, but if Daesh go overtone order into Syria and the moment we are not doing that, and that's what this request is to allow us to do.

QUESTION:

Is bombing IS in Syria a good idea?

MINISTER ANDREWS:

Well, this is a death cult. We've seen the executions, the beheadings the medieval barbarity from Daesh. We' part of a large coalition of nations from around the world who want to degrade and ultimately destroy Daesh because the terror which is occurring, both in Iraq and Syria, but also exported around the world is something we want to bring to and end.

QUESTION:

Is it the only way to defeat IS and are you happy with Australia's achievements so far in Iraq?

MINISTER ANDREWS:

We've made a very considerable commitment to Iraq, not only Air Force but we're also involved in a Building Partner Capacity mission to train Iraqi regular forces, we have Special Forces in there which we are looking to train the Iraqi Special Forces themselves. That's making a considerable contribution to the defeat of Daesh, but this is a long battle and we have to win it otherwise this exported terror which we’ve seen in Australia will continue to happen.

Thank you.