Television Interview, Sky News First Edition

SUBJECTS: ADF Personnel; Ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred; Newspoll; US-Australia Alliance. 

PETER STEFANOVIC, HOST: Let’s get back to the weather emergency now, the Prime Minister to head to the New South Wales Northern Rivers region today to visit two soldiers who are in a critical condition after their Army vehicle rolled near Lismore on Saturday. Let's check on that condition now. Joining us is the Defence Minister, Richard Marles. Minister, thanks for your time this morning. So, firstly, how are the troops doing?

RICHARD MARLES, DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER: Things are better there, Pete. So, all but one of our personnel has been discharged from hospital and that one person remaining in hospital is in a stable condition, non life threatening injuries, is expected to recover. So, that's much better news than where we were at on Saturday night. Obviously we are very thankful for that. The circumstances of the accident which occurred on Saturday afternoon is still being the subject of an investigation.

STEFANOVIC: Can I just ask, was it equipment or human error here?

MARLES: Look, all of that is still being investigated. I mean we've made it clear there were two 40M trucks, there wasn't a collision, both of them rolled. But beyond that it is a matter which is under investigation, so I'm not going to speculate on that and allow the authorities to go through their work.

STEFANOVIC: Ok, so just back to that one person who is still in hospital, non life threatening injury. I mean obviously that's good news. But what is that injury? Can you elaborate on what that is, Minister?

MARLES: Look, I can't for privacy reasons but it's not a life threatening injury, they're in a stable condition, they are expected to recover. So, this is good news.

STEFANOVIC: Does it look like it was just a terrible accident that just happened in the moment in wet ground?

MARLES: Well obviously the conditions were difficult and, you know, there's been, I mean to state the obvious, an enormous amount of rain and the roads were wet. But look beyond that I'm not going to speculate about it. We really do need to let the authorities do their work and ascertain exactly what's happened here.

STEFANOVIC: Alright, Chris Minns wants more of it, but does this in any way change your thinking when it comes to the ADF helping out natural disasters, Minister?

MARLES: No, it doesn't. I mean there is a discussion that was to be had and the Defence Strategic Review talked about the fact that we need, in natural disasters, for the Defence Force to be the last port of call and the last call that is made when assistance is needed. And we're working with State Emergency Services, with National Emergency Management Australia around having that conversation in the medium and longer term. And it is an important conversation to be had. But to be clear, when the call is made, we will always be there. And we'll be there because there are unique assets which the Defence Force has. Obviously there are significant personnel. Right now, when you think about it, there are 500 ADF personnel who are engaged in southeastern Queensland, another 700 in northern New South Wales. We've got high clearance vehicles, there's an airlift capacity which is ready to go in the event that people need that support if there are rising floodwaters. I mean these are assets and capabilities which in some instances only the ADF has. In other instances only the ADF has at scale. So, clearly when a call for assistance is made, we will always answer that call. Now when that call is made, that is a conversation to be had over the medium and longer term and that's legitimate. But right now, in the midst of a specific crisis, a call is being made and the ADF is there. And when that call is made will always be there.

STEFANOVIC: Okay, just a couple of other matters. I mean your colleague Jim Chalmers, his electorate is facing a lot of rain at the moment. You're there on the Gold Coast. Can you be our weatherman for, for a tick, Richard? How are things on the Goldie as we speak?

MARLES: Well, it's not the sunny destination for tourism that you're familiar with. It's pretty wild and woolly here and there has been, coming in last night there was an enormous amount of rain. And I think as we go into northern New South Wales this morning, we'll see more of that. I mean, throughout Brisbane yesterday as we were travelling around and you're right in Logan, which is the home of Jim Chalmers, there is an enormous amount of water there as well. So, I think the issue now is around flooding and what happens with rising waters. And obviously that will all be looked at very carefully to make sure that that can be managed. But you know, this has been a pretty significant weather event and people are definitely feeling it. That said, what's really impressive for me coming, I guess, in from the outside is the degree to which this community has banded together to meet this moment. It says a lot about the people of southeast Queensland and northern New South Wales.

STEFANOVIC: And if I could just ask about Newspoll today, you got a boost. Usually it's been going the other way around. Are you relieved by that?

MARLES: Look, polls are going to be what they're going to be. I mean, I think in this business if you want to retain your mental health, it's best not to follow the detailed tracking of polls. We're focused, I know it's a trite thing to say, but we're focused on one poll and that's election day, whenever that comes in the next few months. And really we are focused on doing the business of government, on focusing on cost of living measures for families, being here right now in the midst of a crisis and looking at the way in which the Federal Government can provide all the assistance necessary. And I figure if we keep doing our jobs, then the poll will take care of itself.

STEFANOVIC: Well, I mean, maybe, is there going to be bad news when it comes to the steel and aluminium carve outs this week?

MARLES: Well, again, we've been advocating very forcefully to the Trump administration about why it makes sense for there to be a carve out for Australian steel and aluminium, Australian exports in general. Our two‑way trade with the United States is trade which is very much in the United States’ favour. It makes sense that all of this is tariff free. And indeed, to the extent that we do provide exports to the United States, that's supporting US jobs. Now that's an argument that we've been making with the US administration. We will continue to make that with the US administration. We've been getting a good hearing. As you know, the President himself has said that this is a matter that they are giving active consideration. We'll see where it lands. But you can be assured that this Government will leave no stone unturned in terms of pursuing the case on behalf of Australia.

STEFANOVIC: Alright, and that might have to be after this week as well, depending on what happens. Richard Marles, thank you so much for your time this morning live on the Gold Coast there. Thank you. 

ENDS