Television Interview, Sky News Newsday

SUBJECTS: Middle East Conflict; ADF and Veteran Community; NDIS.

KIERAN GILBERT, HOST: Let's get some more reaction and governmental response to what's happening in the Middle East. I caught up with the Acting Prime Minister Richard Marles a short time ago. I began by asking him a bigger picture question relating to the flow on implications of the war in the Middle East for the Indo‑Pacific, for our region.

RICHARD MARLES, DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER: I think– I mean there's a number of levels at which you can answer that question. I mean, firstly, the strategic objective of ensuring that Iran not be able to acquire a deployable nuclear weapon is really important for the world and that includes our region. And we're reliant on what the United States is publicly saying, but in terms of what they're publicly saying, significant progress has been made in this conflict in terms of degrading Iran's capabilities and that's important. I mean, beyond that, clearly the really significant impact is economically and the disruption to the global fuel supply chain with the closure of the Straits of Hormuz. We really need to see the Straits of Hormuz opened up. In the Indo‑Pacific, we are in a part of the world where a significant amount of the fuel that is used here comes through the Straits of Hormuz. So obviously there is a significant economic impact and that's very much the focus of the Government's activities now in terms of securing fuel supply to Australia and managing this situation as it unfolds. The Prime Minister being in Singapore right now is a part of that.

GILBERT: The South Koreans have expressed concern about anti‑missile weapons and capability being diverted out of North Asia into the Middle East. The Japanese, various diplomats, expressing fear that the US will be bogged down again in another Middle East quagmire, diverting again from North Asia. Do you share those concerns?

MARLES: Well, I mean, what I would say about that is that the US National Security Strategy and National Defense Strategy put a very important emphasis on the Indo‑Pacific and we take heart from that. Certainly my visit to Japan during the week was very much about reaffirming with Japan how important the Indo‑Pacific is in terms of our thinking. I mean, this is the world in which we live, the region in which we live, as of course it is for Japan. And so we retain a laser‑like focus on the strategic landscape in the Indo‑Pacific and what that means for Australia. And I think in the conversation clearly with Japan, there is absolutely a unanimity of view about the importance of both of our countries focusing our efforts on the Indo‑Pacific as we continue to do that. Now, that doesn't happen in isolation, by which I mean focusing on the Indo‑Pacific intelligently needs to understand how the Indo‑Pacific is connected with the rest of the world and what's playing out in the Middle East is a very stark example of that. I mean, we're reliant on that global supply chain in respect of fuel to fuel East Asia and the Indo‑Pacific. But it is really important from a strategic perspective that we maintain our focus and we are doing that. Japan is doing that. I think countries around the region are doing that. And in respect to the United States itself, we continue to take heart from the emphasis that they have placed on the Indo‑Pacific in their major strategic documents.

GILBERT: Former Prime Minister Abbott said that we risk looking like a weak country if we don't offer more help, that the US deserves our help. He articulated various things that Australia could do to stand up for freedom, as he put it the RAAF should be doing more. He spoke about special forces, military trainers, command and control aircraft, aerial refuellers, strike fighters as possibilities for more help to the Gulf. What do you say to former Prime Minister Abbott and his suggestion that your government should make contact with the White House and offer such help?

MARLES: Well, I mean, I respectfully disagree with Tony Abbott in terms of the assertions that he's making and I think it's important to kind of understand what has played out here in terms of what has been sought from Australia. I mean, in respect of the United States specifically, they have requested during the course of the last month for Australia to provide support to the nations of the Gulf. Now, we acted in response to a request from the United Arab Emirates, but that is exactly what we are doing with the deployment of the E-7 Wedgetail and in fact we are doing that in a very significant way, I think more than what was originally expected of Australia, but we absolutely see that our national interest lies–

GILBERT: So, not a weak response?

MARLES: I completely reject that assertion from Tony Abbott. And I think in the context of the conversations that have been happening, I mean, Tony Abbott's view is fundamentally ignorant. But in a sense that's understandable, I mean, he's not in a position nowadays of being in the midst of those conversations in the way that you are when you are governing. But we are responding to–

GILBERT: Who have you been having those conversations with, can you tell me? In relation to the possibly having a role in the Strait of Hormuz. Who have you been speaking to lately on that? And I know you're not going to go into the possibilities of what you might offer or what Australia might offer, but can you give us a sense of who is talking to who on this?

MARLES: Well, there is a process which is being led by the UK and France in respect to planning around the Straits of Hormuz when conditions allow. And that's important to emphasise that last point. And we've been talking with both of those countries and the other countries that have been convened around that table in terms of what we could usefully do to contribute to that. By its nature, those conversations can't be fully had because exactly what conditions apply there is a function of the extent to which this ceasefire holds. And so, you know, we are all looking, I guess, to the conversations that play out in Pakistan over the course of this weekend. I mean, that's the fundamental place which is going to determine what the conditions are in the Straits of Hormuz. But we are working with those countries in relation to what Australia could usefully do, pointing out that, of course, we do have a significant asset which is in the region right now that is playing a very important role in the defence of the UAE specifically, but the other countries of the Gulf. I mean, beyond that, we're deeply embedded in the United States system, so we do have an ongoing sense of where things are at with the US and we are– I mean, the US is our major military partner and all the posts that we have throughout the American system are still there. So we have a sense of where America is at as well. So, I mean, we do have a very clear sense of where countries are at. And I think Australia is playing its part, but we are playing our part very much from the perspective of Australia's national interest. We are not a part of the offensive actions that have been undertaken by the United States and by Israel in relation to Iran. We are a part of providing for the defence of the countries of the Gulf. And in that, we are acting consistently with most of the members of NATO and our like minded partners and friends around the world.

GILBERT: You've said that you want Israel to be a part of this ceasefire to ensure it holds. Do you understand why Israel, though, is pushing the envelope right now? It sees its window to shore up its long term security, doesn't it?

MARLES: Well, firstly, you know, we've consistently condemned Hizballah in respect of its attacks on Israel and we have called for the disarming of Hizballah in accordance with the various agreements which have been previously reached. But let me be clear, it does matter that this ceasefire apply across the region, and that includes in respect of Israel. Because clearly the ceasefire is fragile and we need it to be not temporary and fragile, but ultimately permanent. And not including Israel and its activities within this ceasefire obviously risks that. And from the perspective of, really, the global interest, but very much Australia's national interest, it is really important that this fragile, temporary ceasefire ultimately becomes permanent. And with that, we see an opening up of the Straits of Hormuz and a return to normality of the global fuel supply chain.

GILBERT: I know you've got many other commitments to get to. I just have two important issues I need to touch before we wrap up. Ben Roberts-Smith in custody. You're not going to comment on the specifics of the case, I understand that. But have you got a message for others in the ADF right now, many veterans as well, who would be feeling it, I think? It's not an easy time when you see a decorated soldier and a fall from grace of this sort amid these allegations.

MARLES: And look, I very much appreciate this question, Kieran, because it isn't an easy time. And I think the message I would want to give is to the broader ADF, but very much the broader veteran community and of course those who served in Afghanistan. I mean, I'm not going to comment about what will play out in relation to that legal process and all the presumptions that normally apply, apply as part of it. But for those who served in Afghanistan, I can completely understand how this is a difficult and challenging moment. But our country looks to everyone who served in Afghanistan with a sense of enormous pride. People fought with valour and honour and distinction, and with enormous bravery and courage. And they did our nation proud in the way in which they wore our uniform over an extensive period of time and a very long war. Tens of thousands of Australians served in Afghanistan and we are deeply grateful for their service. And whatever plays out in this legal proceeding or in any other, none of that detracts from the enormous contribution that the men and women of Australia who served in Afghanistan have made to our country. And that’s really important that people understand that. And in respect of those who are currently serving, of course, you know, we are deeply grateful for their service. And this will be difficult to watch. But again, it doesn't detract from the very important and critical role that the men and women who are currently serving in the ADF perform for our nation.

GILBERT: And finally, Acting Prime Minister, a lot of discussion about the NDIS and whether it is sustainable. Helen Polley, the Labor Senator says we should have an open conversation about means testing, co‑contribution payments. It's crucial, isn't it, that the Government gets this very important program on a sustainable footing?

MARLES: Well, it really is crucial that we get the NDIS on a sustainable footing and since we've come to Government, we've been utterly committed to that objective. Under the former Coalition government, we saw a complete failure of management on their behalf of the NDIS program. I mean, it was having a growth rate around 22 per cent. We've got that down to 10 [per cent]. But the objective of National Cabinet is to in fact have the growth rate down to around five to six per cent, and we're very committed to that objective. In terms of the specifics of what we will do, I mean, obviously that is a matter to be part of the Budget that will be released in the coming month and I won’t seek to preempt that– 

GILBERT: Is means testing a possibility?

MARLES: Well, again, I don't want to preempt what we will be producing in the Budget, but we are obviously very committed to seeing the NDIS put on a sustainable footing and that's important for the Budget, but it's obviously important for all of those people who benefit from the NDIS, so that this is a scheme that can continue on a sustainable way into the future.

GILBERT: Acting Prime Minister Richard Marles, thanks as always. Talk to you soon.

MARLES: Thanks, Kieran.

ENDS