Television Interview, Sky News Weekend Edition

SUBJECTS: Middle East Conflict; PM’s visit to the US; AFL Grand Final (Go Cats!). 

ALEX THOMAS, HOST: Let's speak live now to Acting Prime Minister Richard Marles. Richard, very good morning to you. I'd love to just talk AFL Grand Final. We'll get to that in just a second. But what did you make of Benjamin Netanyahu’s speech to the UN overnight?

RICHARD MARLES, ACTING PRIME MINISTER: Well, I mean, obviously we've been very clear about wanting to see a ceasefire in Gaza, wanting to ensure that humanitarian assistance is being able to be provided to those who are in Gaza. We are seeing a humanitarian catastrophe play out in Gaza, and so we've been consistent about that. And obviously, as part of that, we want to see a return of the hostages to their families in Israel. I mean, all of this needs to come to an end. That's where I think the international community's at in terms of its view. That's certainly where Australia is at in terms of our view.

THOMAS: Would you like to have seen the Prime Minister of Israel strike a more conciliatory tone? He specifically singled out Australia and other nations who recognised the right to Palestinian statehood earlier this week, saying it sends a message that, quote, “murdering Jews pays off”. Is that comment fair?

MARLES: Well, clearly that's not how we regard this at all. I mean, in Australia, across governments of both persuasions, there has been a long held view of supporting a two state solution. And that's based on the idea that the only enduring peace that we will see in the Middle East is if there are two states. And if you’ve held that view, that involves accepting the legitimacy of the aspirations of the Palestinian people to statehood. Now, that has to happen in a context of there being security for Israel, and so there are a range of factors that we have articulated in the context of recognising Palestine; that Hamas can have no role in a future Palestinian state, that there needs to be reform of the Palestinian Authority to have elections, and that we need to see that ceasefire and a return of the hostages to their families in Israel. I mean, all of that is part of what we've articulated in the context of recognising a Palestinian state. But recognition of Palestine is fundamentally a function of having, for a long period of time, supported a two state solution and that's where Australia is coming from. But what we all want to see is an end to the conflict in the Middle East, to the human catastrophe which is playing out and a return of hostages to their families.

THOMAS: And with that in mind, how encouraged are you by the latest comments from US President Donald Trump, who says he's close to a deal and certainly seems to be striking a slightly different tone?

MARLES: Well, I hope that's right. Obviously, I mean, any efforts to bring about an end to the conflict in the Middle East is incredibly welcome. I think the world has looked on with a growing sense of horror about the human catastrophe which has played out in the Middle East. We want to see this come to an end and that is very much the position of the Australian government. And it is understanding that we need to see a return of the hostages. We maintain our condemnation of Hamas in all of this, clearly, but we want to see an end to the conflict in the Middle East and to see the rebuilding and the repairing of the situation and an end to this human disaster.

THOMAS: It's been a busy week for Anthony Albanese, in the UK now after his trip to New York to speak at the UN. How successful has it been for him and for Australia?

MARLES: Well, I think it's been a really important week. I mean, the leaders’ week at the UN is actually an extraordinary week. Most of the world's leaders do gather in New York for that. But this has been an opportunity for Australia to showcase what we're doing with our social media regulations about not allowing kids under 16 to engage in social media, that's been a really important opportunity. Obviously we talked about the recognition of the Palestinian state. The Prime Minister made his official address to the UN General Assembly and he was also in that, able to highlight what we are doing as a nation in terms of dealing with action on climate change. So, it's been a very important opportunity to talk about the really big issues that Australia is facing on the global stage. And he was obviously able to meet the President, to set up that first face to face meeting that will occur on the 20th of October. That's really important. And now in the UK, meeting with the UK Prime Minister with whom we have so many really important equities between our two countries.

THOMAS: And Richard, you're wearing the black and white. How confident are you for the Cats in the Grand Final later?

MARLES: Well, very much the blue and white. Black and white is a different team that we don't like! But look, I've got to say I'm a bit edgy. I didn't sleep particularly well last night. But, I mean, it's been so much fun to have Geelong in the Grand Final. I mean, in my view this is the best and most significant day on the Australian sporting calendar. And for the town of Geelong, where the footy team is so central to what our town is about, you know, there are blue and white flags and streamers in houses and businesses right across the town, people are wearing their colours. It's just a fantastic thing to see this bring the community together. And our fingers are crossed for the outcome that we all want to see this afternoon.

THOMAS: There's no point cheering the Pies on later, that's for sure. Best of luck to you and thanks for joining us here on Sky News this morning. 

MARLES: A pleasure.

ENDS