Television Interview, Sky News

SUBJECTS: Shooting in the US; Coalition; Australia-Vanuatu Relationship; Pacific Islands Forum; Ghost Shark. 

PETER STEFANOVIC, HOST: Well, let's return to our top story and it's the breaking news out of the US this morning – that conservative commentator, 31-year-old Charlie Kirk has been assassinated. Joining us live is the Acting Prime Minister Richard Marles. Richard, thanks for your time this morning. Can I just start off with the reaction to the shooting, your reaction to this shooting?

RICHARD MARLES, ACTING PRIME MINISTER: Well, our thoughts go out to the family of Charlie Kirk. This is an absolute tragedy. Obviously, we condemn any form of political violence. It really matters that political discourse occurs peacefully and through dialogue and conversation. And what we've seen play out in the United States over the last few hours is an absolute tragedy.

STEFANOVIC: Yeah, you mentioned dialogue and discourse there. I mean, this is an assassination, we've been calling it. And that comes after two failed attempts on Donald Trump's life. So, how concerned are you for the future American political discourse?

MARLES: Well, I mean, this is being condemned across the United States, rightly, and it's being condemned across the political spectrum, rightly, in America, because whatever one's views are in relation to any given topic, this is– you know, politics is a matter of talking things through and political violence has no place. And I know that the US authorities will be working this through. From an Australian point of view, obviously, we very much cherish the ability to be able to have dialogue and conversation and debate in this country free from political violence. It’s really important that that is the case and that we condemn political violence where it occurs.

STEFANOVIC: Okay. Just a proclamation just in as well that the President has said that flags will be flying at mast at embassies– you can see it there at the White House, but that'll be happening at embassies around the world and presumably that includes Sydney as well. Just while I've got you, Richard, closer to home, Sussan Ley has sacked Jacinta Price from the shadow frontbench. From across the aisle, what's your reaction to that?

MARLES: Well, I mean, ultimately this is a matter for the Coalition, but I think the point I’d really want to make is that the comments of Senator Nampijinpa Price about the Indian Australian community were obviously completely unacceptable. And I'd want the Indian Australian community to know that as a government, we celebrate them, that we really welcome the contribution that Indian Australians are making to modern Australia and that we are a diverse, multicultural country. We are much the better, the richer for that, and the stronger for that. And that's the society that we have built in this country and that's the society that we cherish.

STEFANOVIC: Are you surprised that it took Sussan Ley so long to make a decision on it?

MARLES: Look, again, I'm not going to give a commentary on what the Coalition does in terms of how it orders its frontbench. All I know is that these were unacceptable comments and it's really important that the Indian Australian community today hears from their government that we celebrate the contribution they make to our nation.

STEFANOVIC: Okay, let's get to matters that do involve you and it's the security deal with Vanuatu which has fallen through. Do you expect that to be revived, Richard?

MARLES: Look, this is– we're trying to do a big thing here, we are elevating our relationship with Vanuatu in a transformative way through a treaty level agreement. I'm confident that we will get there. I was in Vanuatu last month along with Penny Wong and Pat Conroy initialling a text and what both Prime Ministers said on Tuesday was that they in turn felt confident that we'd get this deal done. But it is a big thing to do and it takes time, and it's not surprising that people want to work through all the issues associated with it. So, that's fine. But we're confident we're going to get there.

STEFANOVIC: Well, how do you get there? Do you just have to stump up more cash?

MARLES: It's about talking through with people in both countries about the benefits of what this agreement represents. We seek to be the natural partner of choice for Vanuatu. I think those in Vanuatu very much see Australia as the natural partner of choice. There is a deep affinity with Australia for those who live in Vanuatu and we want to be there supporting Vanuatu. And that's both in terms of human development, economic prosperity in Vanuatu, but also security, and that's what is contained within the agreement that we are seeking to do with Vanuatu. And as I say, I’m confident we'll get there.

STEFANOVIC: The problem is though that is we just can't match the Treasurer– the treasure, the power and the influence from China though, right?

MARLES: Well, I mean, I don't accept that. I think there is a natural affinity that countries in the Pacific generally, and Vanuatu specifically, feel for Australia. I mean, there is geography here. You know, Vanuatu is right there and we are neighbours and we always will be. And there's a lot that we can do in terms of taking our relationship forward. And this is a really good deal for Vanuatu, which the people we've engaged with in Vanuatu very much understand. And as I say, we're confident that we will get there. And it is really important that as we do these arrangements with the Pacific, we think about our relationship with Pacific countries on its own terms and making sure that we are elevating those relationships and we are making the Pacific front and centre in terms of our worldview. And that is what our government has done. And I think those in the Pacific understand that and see it and welcome it.

STEFANOVIC: And does that message for Fiji? Do you expect a security deal with Fiji to be signed off on?

MARLES: Well, look, I was really pleased to see the reports from the meeting of the two Prime Ministers yesterday. I actually spoke with my counterpart yesterday as well, and we are looking at how we can do more in terms of the defence relationship between Australia and Fiji. We already do a lot. We would be their main defence partner. But I think there is the opportunity to elevate that agreement and we really are excited about the prospect of working that through with Fiji.

STEFANOVIC: Would you just say, hey, we've got some pretty cool Ghost Sharks on the way. They're good to have close by.

MARLES: Well, the Ghost Sharks are going to play their role. Not sure that we'll be providing Ghost Sharks to Fiji, but we are excited about that capability as well. And you know what Ghost Shark represents is the highest tech, long‑range autonomous underwater capability in the world today. We're really confident about that claim. It's been developed here in Australia over many years. We've now got to the point of having a platform which we can put in service, the first of which will be in service in January in just a few months time. And this is really going to augment and improve the capability, the lethality of the Royal Australian Navy. And we're excited about that.

STEFANOVIC: Okay. That's the Acting Prime Minister Richard Marles. Appreciate your time this morning, Richard. We will talk to you again soon. 

ENDS