Television Interview, Nine, Today Show

SUBJECTS: AFL Grand Final (Go Cats!), Australia-US relationship; United Nations Security Council

SARAH ABO, HOST: Acting Prime Minister Richard Marles joins me now from Geelong. Acting PM, good morning to you. I can see you’re decked out. I know you have your eyes on tomorrow’s prize. Shall I let you get that out of the way first, or what?

RICHARD MARLES, ACTING PRIME MINISTER: Go Cats!

ABO: Oh, that was very subdued. Okay, let’s move on.

MARLES: Well, I’m happy to do the whole interview on Geelong, if you like.

ABO: No, there’s a bit to get through.

MARLES: It’s the thing that is occupying my attention.

ABO: I can imagine. Look, it’s been a big week for Anthony Albanese. He’s now had that selfie moment with the President that’s going to silence everyone until October 20th, right?

MARLES: Well look, we’ve been saying all along that there was going to be a meeting with the President in the not-too-distant future. We know that will be on the 20th of October. The point here is that they had spoken a number of times by phone. The relationship is conducted at many levels. It is going well. You know, we’ve got the lowest tariff rate. AUKUS is happening at a pace. So we’ve always been confident about the progress of our relationship with the U.S. It’ll be a really good meeting, I’m sure, when the Prime Minister and the President meet on October 20. But this was a moment that was always going to come.

ABO: Moving on to some other matters now. Is it a pretty ambitious bid to have a seat at the UN?

MARLES: Throughout the history of the United Nations, at relatively regular intervals, Australia has served on the UN Security Council. We last did so in the period of 2012 through 2014. It’s an important exercise. It’s important in terms of having our voice heard over that two-year period. But in the work that we do to become elected, and in the time that we serve on the Security Council, we gain a very deep understanding of the big issues around the world. It’s a very important exercise for our country. As a middle power, this is an incredible opportunity. It’s something that we should be doing periodically, and we’re very excited about the upcoming bid.

ABO: I get the appeal on a global stage. But why do we want a spot when it comes to domestic issues? How important is that for everyday Australians? Is it about mitigating the threat that might come from China? How does it affect you, me, the people down the road?

MARLES: Well, firstly, you can walk and chew gum at the same time. We will be very focused on domestic issues, but it is important that as a middle power, we understand exactly what is happening in the world in detail. We need to understand where there are opportunities in relation to trade, for example, and new investment opportunities. All of those create jobs. It’s also important that we understand where there are security anxieties, and that’s about protecting Australians.

ABO: All right, you sound pretty committed to it. So, how much is it going to cost Australians? How many millions?

MARLES: Look, we are out there presenting our credentials and have been for some time. So, I don’t see this as being a particularly costly exercise at all. It is about demonstrating our credentials around the world. I think when Australia put its bid in –

ABO: How much is it going to cost, Deputy PM?

MARLES: Well, I’m not in a position to quantify. But this is not a costly exercise. And when we last ran for the Security Council, we were overwhelmingly supported around the world. That reflects the fact that Australia, in seeking to take its place on the UN Security Council, is doing something the world will appreciate. It isn’t just about putting our credentials before the world. So, I don’t think this is something that comes with a big price tag.

ABO: It sounds as though the PM saved some cash not paying for the beers that he pulled at the Old Mates Pub in New York. But just before we let you go, Richard, Karl has a bet he’d like to make with you. Big game tomorrow. As you’ve already foreshadowed, if the Cats win –

MARLES: Yes.

ABO: You have to take him to dinner. But if the Lions win, you have to buy him a nuclear sub. What do you reckon?

MARLES: So, what do I get out of this?

ABO: You get dinner.

MARLES: That’s like a win-win for Karl.

KARL STEFANOVIC: Exactly. That’s how we bet.

MARLES: He’s going to pay for dinner if we win?

ABO: Yes, that’s right.

MARLES: I’m very happy to go and have dinner with both you and Karl. And we can do that irrespective of who wins. But tell you what, if we win, I’ll pay.

ABO: All right, there we go. There’s a promise we will hold you to. Acting PM Richard Marles, thank you for your time this morning.

END