Television Interview, ABC News Breakfast

Subjects: Investment in drone capability, Middle East conflict, fuel security.

EMMA REBELLATO: Well, with the US blockade of Iran's ports now underway, let's get some reaction from the Australian Government. Defence Industry Minister Pat Conroy joins us now from Warners Bay in NSW. Thanks for joining us.

DEFENCE INDUSTRY MINISTER, PAT CONROY: Good Morning, Emma.

REBELLATO: This US blockade of the Strait, how bad could this be for Australia?

CONROY: Well, I'm not going to engage in hypotheticals. The Australian Government's position has been very clear. We want to see the ceasefire continue. We'd like to see Iran and the United States return to the negotiating table and a permanent peace achieved with the Strait of Hormuz open so that traffic can flow through. It's having a big impact on the global economy and we think the US has achieved its war aims and we should continue to encourage a diplomatic opening of the Strait of Hormuz.

REBELLATO: The UK Prime Minister says 40 nations are holding meetings again this week. Is Australia going to be involved in those talks again?

CONROY: Yes, we will be. We've been part of the diplomatic efforts to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. We welcome the announcement of the summit by the UK and French Governments and Australia will most definitely participate in that summit. We are very keen to see a diplomatic, an opening via diplomatic means, of the Strait of Hormuz.

REBELLATO: Let's talk about government spending because we've just heard that the Government will be spending billions in new or redirected funding into Australia's drone capabilities. Can you give us some details on that? Exactly how much and where will the money go?

CONROY: Well, we'll be investing $15 billion over the next ten years in drone and counter drone technology for the Australian Defence Force. That's up to $5 billion increase on the previous planning decade. And that will go to capabilities in the air, on the water, under sea and on land. We produce the world-leading Ghost Shark, extra large, autonomous underwater submarine. We produce Bluebottle, that's a surface maritime drone. We've got Ghost Bat, which is the world's, sorry, Australia's first combat aircraft designed and built in this country in over 50 years. So, these are great assets and you can expect us to expand that as well as invest around $3 billion in mass, cheap drones for use by the army. We've learned the lessons from conflicts going on in Ukraine and the Middle East right now. And we've already introduced the first armed drone into the Australian Defence Force. And we'll keep investing in this capability to keep Australians safe, to equip the Australian Defence Force and drive more jobs In Australia, we've got a very significant and skilled Australian defence industry. We've got a very well skilled Australian drone industry and we'll be supporting that further.

REBELLATO: Obviously, a lot of Australians are really worried about fuel at the moment. Unions are launching an urgent case in the Fair Work Commission today to increase vehicle allowances for workers who are struggling with high fuel costs. Do you support that move?

CONROY: Well, I understand Australians are doing it tough at the moment with the global fuel crisis. That's why we've done things such as halve the fuel excise and eliminated the road user, heavy road user charge. I won't comment on an independent Fair Work Commission process, but I understand why the unions are doing this. The Federal Government's doing our part by putting downward pressure on fuel prices through halving the excise, by doubling the fines for gouging by the petrol stations and we'll continue to talk to all parties about making fuel accessible for all Australians.

REBELLATO: Given diesel prices though are so high, will the Government have to re look at that, maybe go further with those excise cuts?

CONROY: Well, I'm not going to get into hypotheticals. We've made announcements around that cover the next three months. That 32 cent reduction is very significant and we're really concentrating on supply. That's the responsibility of the Federal Government and we're focused on supply. But we've also provided real concrete assistance for motorists at the bowser right now.

REBELLATO: Pat Conroy, the Liberals are unveiling their first phase of their immigration policy today. They want social media screening for Australian visa applicants. Is this a good idea or overreach?

CONROY: Well, the Coalition have got zero credibility on immigration. They let net migration explode after COVID and now we're just seeing desperate dog whistling from Angus Taylor who's desperately trying to compete with One Nation in a race to the bottom. He has to be honest with the Australian public about what industries won't get workers through their policies. Who's going to lose doctors? Who's going to lose nurses? Who's going to lose aged care workers? We've cut net migration by 40%. We're returning it to pre-COVID levels. That's our plan and we're doing that in a measured, orderly fashion as we do all things. What we see from Angus Taylor is just a desperate competition to out Pauline Hanson, Pauline Hanson.

REBELLATO: But they obviously want Australian values to be adhered to with anyone who comes into the country. Do you agree that they should?

CONROY: Well, what I see when I go to citizenship ceremonies, which is one of the most joyous occasions of the year is new Australians eager to make their lives in Australia, eager to be part of Australia, to build their future here, to contribute to Australia. And they have Australian values. There's already tests in place that go to that. What we see here is a desperate distraction from Angus Taylor, who’s desperate for relevance in a world where he's seeing his vote being eroded by one nation. And instead he should be serious about the real concerns and challenges of the Australian economy instead of desperate dog whistling.

REBELLATO: Pat Conroy, thanks for joining us this morning.

CONROY: Thanks, Emma. Have a good morning.

ENDS