Radio Interview, ABC Melbourne

SUBJECTS: Middle East Conflict; AUKUS; Optus; AFL Grand Final. 

JUSTIN SMITH, HOST: The Acting Prime Minister, Richard Marles, also the Minister for Defence is with us on the phone. Acting Prime Minister, thank you for your time.

RICHARD MARLES, ACTING PRIME MINISTER: Good morning, Justin. How are you?

SMITH: I'm well, thank you. What is your reaction to this plan announced from the White House for Gaza?

MARLES: Well, I do think the plan represents hope. I mean, we have been calling for a long time for a ceasefire, for return of hostages, for a flow of humanitarian assistance into Gaza because of the humanitarian catastrophe which is unfolding there. And this plan certainly embraces all of that. In that sense, we would very much hope that all parties ultimately do come on board with this plan because I think the world wants to see an end to these hostilities, wants to see an end to this tragedy and wants to see the hostages return to their families. The plan picks up all of that.

SMITH: Well, it's no secret, obviously that the Albanese Government differ from Donald Trump over a way through here. So, does Australia– does the government endorse Donald Trump's plan here?

MARLES: Well, we certainly welcome this and we do thank the Americans for the efforts that they have put in here. We need to see an end to these hostilities. Now there are a few steps to go and that's clear in terms of the plan being considered. And you know, there have been plans in the past, of course, and so, you know, we're not there yet. But I think it does represent hope. And fundamentally what our government wants to see is an end to the hostilities, a return of the hostages to their families and we do want to see humanitarian aid flow so that we can see Gaza start to be rebuilt. And all of that, of course, in the context of ultimately seeing a two state solution.

SMITH: I mean, I know this is not for– certainly not for you to answer too, but what is the likelihood of Hamas following out the first part of this plan, which is releasing the hostages? Because this is not new territory we're talking about here.

MARLES: Look, it's not new territory and that's a fair question. And in a sense that's the question in my mind too. And I think we'll see that question being answered over the coming hours and days. But, you know, I very much hope that they do embrace this because we need to see this come to an end. We’ve been calling for this for a long time. We obviously have been extremely critical of Hamas and their conduct throughout. We have been critical of Israel. But at the end of the day, what we need to see here is an end to the hostilities, and this human tragedy being brought to an end and the healing, and the repair process start to begin.

SMITH: Benjamin Netanyahu said at that press conference with the President, if we don't do it the easy way, we do it the hard way. Does the hard way frighten you?

MARLES: Well, certainly what we have seen play out is a matter of real concern from the Australian Government's point of view. I mean, we don't– we have made it really clear that we need to see a ceasefire, that we need to see an end to these hostilities. So the Australian Government could not be more clear in respect of that. We absolutely do not want to see an annexation of these territories. And I note that that forms part of this agreement as well. And our view ultimately is that the only way that there will be an enduring peace in the Middle East is if there are two states. And again, the plan as it's been articulated keeps the door open for all of that. So, you know, that's where we see that there is hope in the plan that has been put forward but, you know, what we need is for all parties to be embracing a pathway to peace here.

SMITH: Minister, do you trust Donald Trump to govern Gaza? Because that is effectively what he's talking about, this forming of the Board of Peace with him at the helm. Do you trust him to govern Gaza?

MARLES: Well, I mean, he's talking about a board which would include, you know, a number of people on it and a number of, you know, very significant people internationally. Look, I think the focus here has to be an end to the hostilities. I mean, that's really where we're coming from. We want to see an end to the conflict and a return of the hostages and ultimately, at the end of the day, this plan represents hope in respect of that. And, you know, we want to see it embraced from that point of view. Fundamentally, we just want to see this end.

SMITH: It's eight to nine. Justin Smith on 774 ABC Melbourne, filling in for Raf. We've got the Acting Prime Minister, Richard Marles with us. I wanted to talk to you about AUKUS – reports this morning that the deal is now safe after the Pentagon review. What have you been told? What can you tell us?

MARLES: Well, I mean, the review is still ongoing, obviously, and we're not going to get ahead of ourselves. I mean, I'm aware of the reports that you're referring to, but we've been engaging very well in the review. Actually, the US has been very good in terms of giving us an indication of the process and allowing us to participate in it. But from the outset, we've been really clear about welcoming this review. AUKUS is happening – that's not in question. AUKUS is the subject of a trilateral treaty between Australia, the US and the UK. An incoming government having a review about how AUKUS can be done better is a really natural step for an incoming government to take, it’s a step that we took when we came to government. So in that sense–

SMITH: So, the deal is safe? 

MARLES: We're very confident about the deal and we've been saying that all the way through, as we have also been saying that we welcome this review and will participate in it. And how we can do this better is something that we all will continue to be striving for throughout the progress of AUKUS. But I've repeatedly said AUKUS is going well; AUKUS is happening at a pace; it is meeting all the milestones that it's meant to be meeting and we are confident about this being the pathway for Australia acquiring its future submarine capability.

SMITH: I want to ask you a couple of other things, if you don't mind. We know you're busy today and we appreciate your time, but Acting Prime Minister, Optus has had now a second outage in a matter of a couple of weeks for Triple Zero. Do you have faith in Optus as a company?

MARLES: Well, I mean, Optus is a company which has done a good job servicing the Australian people over a very long period of time. But in saying that, you know, we are concerned with what has played out over the last few weeks. Optus and all the telecommunication companies which operate the Triple Zero service have obligations to meet here. That did not occur 10 days ago. And obviously that there's been an additional outage, albeit one that is separate to what's occurred, is disappointing. You know, we do expect Optus to meet its obligations under the agreements that it has with government. As you know, we've launched an independent investigation and the Minister is meeting with the head of Optus and the head of the Singaporean parent company this afternoon. 

SMITH: But there are calls to overhaul the way we do Triple Zero in this country. Does that need to be looked at? So, beyond Optus, is the way Triple Zero is handled, is that good enough?

MARLES: Well, we continually look at these issues and indeed when there was an outage in respect of, again with Optus, with the Triple Zero service two years ago ACMA undertook a review then, and we have implemented all of the recommendations coming from that. And we'll continue to look at what ACMA has to say as it does its independent review of this most recent outage, which it's performing right now. And, I mean, if there are lessons there for government in terms of how to operate the service, obviously we'll look at that as we have in the past. But I think right now the point is that we have an agreement with the telecommunications companies, in this instance with Optus, and there is obligations under that. They haven't been met and we expect them to be met.

SMITH: And a final question, if I may, today is Tuesday. Saturday was the Grand Final. You don't need reminding of that.

MARLES: I do not need reminding of that.

SMITH: Are you all right? Are you ok?

MARLES: Well, quite surprisingly, the sun did rise in Geelong on Monday morning. 

SMITH: It wasn't quite the end of the world, just felt like it.

MARLES: It did feel like it a little bit, but no, no, we will pick ourselves up. Look, to be honest, it's an incredible club who keeps presenting and I feel very lucky to be a supporter of this club.

SMITH: You don't need to be a politician– 

MARLES: No, it’s genuine– 

SMITH: You can talk like a gutted Cats fan if you like.

MARLES: Look, I mean, we all feel gutted, but to be honest, that is the sentiment here in Geelong and it was reflected in the fact that thousands of people turned out for the family day on Sunday. And I think it really is the mood here. Yeah, I mean, obviously we wanted to win, but there is an enormous sense of pride in the team that we support.

SMITH: There has been a bit of controversy about the Mad Monday celebrations, which the Cats are famous for. One of them is mocking sports journalist Caroline Wilson, the other is a sort of parody of Brokeback Mountain. Has Mad Monday had its day?

MARLES: Oh, look, I mean, I think in terms of celebrations after the end of the season, I think players are entitled to do that. Obviously, some form of discretion needs to be exercised in terms of the way– and judgement needs to be exercised in terms of the way that that occurs. I mean, I guess the point I would make is that in terms of homophobia, I mean, homophobia is obviously abhorrent in any of its forms. We all, as footy fans, want to be supporting a competition which is inclusive. I mean, it appears as though there are some players and people who have been upset by what has occurred and I think right there is for there to be an issue. And so obviously, I hope that that issue is dealt with as appropriately and quickly as possible.

SMITH: It's good to talk to you. Thank you very much for your time. You'll get them next year. You'll get them next year.

MARLES: Let's hope! Fingers crossed.

SMITH: Thanks for your time, appreciate it. 

MARLES: No worries, Justin. 

ENDS