Television Interview, Sky News

SUBJECTS: Farrar by-election; Parliamentary Expenses; Federal Budget; 125th anniversary of the opening of the first federal Parliament.

HOST, ALEX THOMAS: In the meantime, let's speak to the Deputy Prime Minister and the Defence Minister Richard Marles, who joins us live now. Good morning to you, Minister. If the polls are correct, One Nation claims this long-held Coalition seat of Farrer, what do you think it's going to mean for Australian politics?

DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER RICHARD MARLES: Well, firstly, Alex, if that happens, it will only happen with Liberal support. So, it says everything about where the Liberal Party is at today. But I think the real story here is whether or not the Coalition can hang on to a seat, which, as you described, has been a blue-ribbon Coalition seat for decades. And this is literally their past leader's seat in Sussan Ley. Tim Fischer used to hold this seat. So, it's a real test for Angus Taylor and the leadership of the coalition as to whether or not they can hang on to this seat. And as you say, if One Nation ultimately does win, I think it's going to be a close run thing. But if they win, they can only win with Liberal support.

THOMAS: There's eerie echoes of what's been happening in UK politics, actually, with a sort of fracturing of the traditional political landscape. Big gains from the Greens and Farage's Reform Party here in Australia. They've also been very used to two main political parties. Is there a sort of democratic rose-tinted view of this that you're giving voters more options?

MARLES: Well, look, I think drawing connections between Farrer and the UK is a longbow. I mean I think what we are seeing here really, in Australia, in terms of the Farrer by-election, fundamentally, is a test for the Coalition. I mean, this is the seat which has just been held by Sussan Ley, the leader of the Liberal Party. It's been in their pile for a very, very long time and in any normal circumstance you would expect the Coalition to hold on to this seat. And that's really the test for Angus Taylor today.

THOMAS: Win or lose, there's no denying the shift in support towards One Nation. What are the mainstream parties missing that voters are looking for?

MARLES: Well, again, we are focused on where Labor stands and making sure that as a government we are delivering for the Australian people. Focusing on the issues which impact them, which is fundamentally the challenges of cost-of-living, and you will see that play out in the budget that we hand down on Tuesday night. You know, how the Liberal Party positions itself is really a matter for them. But I think what we are seeing is the fact that they are in this struggle with One Nation, and if One Nation ultimately prevails and if the One Nation candidate were to prevail ahead of the community candidate. That will only occur with Liberal Party support. And again, that says everything about where the Liberal Party is at today.

THOMAS: And as politicians and the media grapple with what it is that voters are looking for, there's often talk of a loss of trust in politicians. From that point of view, is the Prime Minister right to stand by Anika Wells?

MARLES: Well, Anika Wells made it really clear from the outset. She voluntarily submitted herself to the process of putting all of her expenses before the Independent Parliamentary Authority and made it clear that she would abide by whatever decision that authority made. And that's exactly what's occurred. And so in that sense, Anika Wells is doing exactly the right thing. Anika is a great minister in this instance. She's made it clear that she will do whatever the independent body says, and that's exactly what's happening.

THOMAS: Do you think Australia is a safer place following the return of some of the so-called ISIS brides and their children and grandchildren?

MARLES: Well, I have complete faith in our security agencies, and that's really the point to make here. And we have amongst the best security agencies anywhere in the world. And they have been very focused on this specific issue, as they are always about whoever comes to Australia, be it Australian citizens coming back to Australia or others entering the country. Our security agencies are always focused on that. And what was made really clear here is that if any of these people returned and they had been engaged in any criminal activity, they would be met by the full force of the law. And that is what happened. And our security agencies are absolutely doing everything within their power to keep Australians safe, and Australians are safe.

THOMAS: We're hearing reports that the brides may be eligible for taxpayer-funded support. Do you think they should receive that?

MARLES: Well, I mean, there's a whole lot of speculation here. These people are not receiving the support of the government. They did not receive any support from the government in terms of coming back to Australia, and they're not receiving support from the government. What's happening here is what we said would occur has, and that is that those who have engaged in criminal activity would be met by the full force of the law. And that's exactly what we saw happen when these people returned. And so our security agencies are doing their job in terms of keeping Australians safe, and they are doing their job in respect of this cohort, as they always do.

THOMAS: Talking of speculation, there's been plenty about the upcoming budget, hasn't there? What do you feel is the truth of what we can expect?

MARLES: Well, what you'll see from the government in relation to the budget is, first of all, prudent fiscal management. I mean, up until now, over our budgets, we've delivered something like $114 billion worth of savings and reprioritisation in the budget. Under Labor, government spending’s at around 1.7%. You know, to put that into context, when the Coalition were in government, they averaged about 4.1% in terms of spending increases. So, you will see prudent fiscal management in this budget, as you have in all the budgets that we have handed down. But there will also be a focus on the cost-of-living and meeting those challenges that Australians face, as there will also be a focus on productivity and making sure that we are doing everything we can to cut red tape and to build productivity within our economy.

THOMAS: And Deputy Prime Minister, tell us why you're speaking to us from Melbourne. It's a very proud milestone for Australian politics.

MARLES: It really is. On this day, 125 years ago, in the building behind me, the Royal Exhibition Buildings in Melbourne, we had the first opening of the Australian parliament on the 9^th of May in 1901. It was then attended by the prime minister at the time, Edmund Barton, the Duke of Cornwall, who went on to become King George V. It was a very significant moment. In fact, the Parliament then, after the ceremony, went down to what is now the Victorian Parliament and had their first session. And so to be meeting here today with the Prime Minister, with the Premier, with the Speaker of our Parliament today to commemorate the 125th anniversary of the sitting of the federal Parliament, is a moment to just reflect upon how far our country's come over that period of time that we retain the values of being a strong democracy now, as we were one of the first democracies then. And so, so much has happened in terms of the building of this incredible country. Today really is a very significant milestone, and it's one that we're very excited about marking.

THOMAS: Yeah. And that original building it was held in was the only one big enough in the whole country, or so I read. So, as you say, Deputy PM, Australia has come a long, long way, and we should celebrate that for sure. Really appreciate your time on Sky News this morning. Thank you.

ENDS