Television Interview, Today Show

SUBJECT/S: Prime Minister’s Apology; Vuvale Union and Ocean of Peace Alliance; China Missile Test-Firing

HOST, SARAH ABO: Well, despite inking a fresh deal with Fiji, Anthony Albanese’s crude remarks on a comedy podcast continue to haunt him this morning. To discuss, we're joined by Acting Prime Minister Richard Marles, live in Geelong in Victoria. Very good to see you, Richard. Nothing like being sent out to mop up the PM's mess, hey. Do you concede those comments about Kylie or a bad look?

ACTING PRIME MINISTER, RICHARD MARLES: Well, the Prime Minister has apologised for this. I mean, obviously it was an interview, which is different to the one that we are doing now. But let's just take a step back, the government that the Prime Minister leads is the first government in our country's history which has had an equal number of men and women in the cabinet. It's the first government which has-

ABO: Oh c’mon Acting PM. All of that has been undermined by a silly little interview.

MARLES: Well, to be fair, Sarah, I don't think you can undermine the fact that most of the federal Caucus are women, that half of the Cabinet are women and that the gender pay gap in Australia today is the lowest that it's ever been under this Prime Minister-

ABO: But hang on, he said that he would shag, marry and date all of the above- Kylie Minogue. That’s a little disrespectful to women, isn’t it?

MARLES: And he has absolutely apologised for that. But Anthony Albanese leads a government. And he, I know, is very personally committed to the elevation of women within our society, he leads a government which has overseen that in a very significant way.

ABO: All right, what about those questionable remarks made about Japan's PM and the mention of melons? Does he owe her an apology?

MARLES: Oh, well- I'm not honestly sure what you're referring to there, but-

ABO: Well, he said she gifted him a couple of melons.

MARLES: Well, I don't think there was anything in that. I mean, actually, that is what- well, that is what happened and it was one of the key gifts that was given. You know, the Prime Minister has apologised for what he said. At the end of the day, if we want to go to this speaker space, the Prime Minister leads a government which, in a way that has never happened before, is elevating the place of women within the government and within our society.

ABO: All right, well, you're currently Acting PM. How would you have answered those questions? Or that- that question in particular, the marry, shag or date question?

MARLES: Look, I'm not on that podcast. I'm doing an interview with you. The Prime Minister has made his position clear.

ABO: Well, you're off the hook here- I won't be asking you that question. Right, but of course. Look-

MARLES: I figured you won’t. 

ABO: We know it's been described as unbecoming of a Prime Minister. It comes at a time he's dodging missiles in the Pacific. Do you think it raises any questions about integrity and judgement when he's negotiating matters of actual importance like strengthening our Pacific alliances and defence?

MARLES: Well, I don't. And I think that the really important thing is look at what he has achieved. I mean the Vuvale union that we have now signed with Fiji is just the fourth alliance in our nation's history. I mean it's step change in our bilateral relationship with Fiji. But just take a step back again and look at what we're doing. Agreements with Indonesia, with PNG, we're working on one with Solomons, with Vanuatu, with Fiji, we've got a great relationship with France and New Zealand. I mean, this is elevating the status of our relationship with our neighbours in a way which has never been done before, and all of that is about providing much greater national security to Australia, but it's also working with our neighbours to provide for the peace and stability of the region in which we live. That's what the Prime Minister is doing and it is very much about keeping Australia safe.

ABO: Well, talking about peace and stability, what do you make of China test firing a nuclear capable missile just hours after we signed that alliance with Fiji? I mean, Beijing claims this was just a routine drill. If it was, why was Australia only given a couple of hours notice? Surely this is something they could have delayed.

MARLES: Well, I think the important point here is what that test was and we are concerned about it and it is destabilising. And this is a long range missile test which China itself said would be nuclear capable, which has been launched from a submarine, which also implies something in terms of extending China's range to deploy nuclear weapons. All of that is very concerning and deeply destabilising and we've expressed those concerns to China. I mean what we are about is trying to establish a peaceful Pacific and what this is about is undermining that.

ABO: Well, exactly. So, how do you handle China with all that considered? Because clearly diplomacy isn't their game plan here?

MARLES: Well, firstly we do very much express our concerns, but that's- 

ABO: Are words enough though?

MARLES: They matter. But you are also right that we need to do more and we are. And that's why, you know, you see us very much increasing our own defence capability, but also working very closely with our neighbours and our partners immediately around our borders in terms of the countries I just mentioned, but more broadly, you know, we're working with countries like Japan and India and countries in Southeast Asia and Northeast Asia. I mean, we are- and of course, with our alliance partner, the United States. I mean, we are building defence capability and at the same time, we are expanding our defence relationships with our friends and partners. And all of that are really important steps in terms of meeting the strategic moment that we face.

ABO: All right, Richard Marles always very good to chat. Looks like a gorgeous morning down there in Geelong as well. Enjoy, stay warm.

MARLES: Gorgeous, but cold.

ABO: Indeed.

ENDS