Television Interview, ABC News Breakfast

SUBJECTS: New UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham, AUKUS, the ongoing conflict in Iran, Royal Commission into Antisemitism.

CATHERINE MURPHY: It's time to talk federal politics now, and the Defence Industry Minister Pat Conroy joins us to do that from the beautiful River Torrens in Adelaide. Good morning to you, Minister.

MINISTER FOR DEFENCE INDUSTRY, PAT CONROY: Thanks for having me.

MURPHY: So the UK now officially has their new Prime Minister. Has our PM had the chance to chat to him yet?

MINISTER CONROY: I'm not sure, to be honest. It's obviously all happened overnight. But I'd like to congratulate Andy Burnham on his appointment as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. We've got no closer friend than the United Kingdom. And it's great to see his appointment.

MURPHY: Do you expect that our Prime Minister will chat to him later today, even tonight?

MINISTER CONROY: I'm sure they will be exchanging messages. Prime Minister Albanese had a very close relationship with Prime Minister Starmer, and I'm sure that will continue with Prime Minister Burnham. We've worked really closely with the UK government and the incoming Chancellor of the Exchequer, the UK version of the Treasurer, John Healey, is a good friend of Australia. I know John well in his former role as Secretary of Defence, and I really look forward to engaging with the UK Government.

MURPHY: In his maiden speech, the new Prime Minister said he would honour the UK's defence commitments to international partners. Was it a relief to hear that?

MINISTER CONROY: It wasn't a relief because we had great confidence that AUKUS would continue. But it was good to hear that statement from Prime Minister Burnham. AUKUS is in the national interest of all three countries involved. It will create 20,000 high-tech, skilled jobs in Australia, a lot of them in Adelaide, where I am right now. And it will equip the Royal Australian Navy with the most advanced submarines in the world. That will increase our deterrence and make this country safer. So, it's great that the UK is recommitted, but to be honest, I didn't doubt that because it's also in the UK interest as well to continue with AUKUS.

MURPHY: Richard Marles' recent trip to the UK didn't go to plan. I think it's fair to say he was stood up after the Defence Secretary, who you mentioned resigned. Will another meeting happen soon?

MINISTER CONROY: Well, I caught up with the new UK Defence Secretary at the NATO Leader Summit in Turkiye only last week. So, our relationship with the UK is very strong. I think occasionally domestic politics will get in the way of hosting international partners. But the Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles, did have his two-plus-two meeting with John and the UK Foreign Secretary with Penny Wong before, obviously, that particular incident occurred. But I'm sure that Richard will engage with the Defence Secretary at the appropriate time. But our relationship isn't just based on individuals; it's based on the systems working together to advance deterrence. Both in the Indo-Pacific and the Euro-Atlantic.

MURPHY: The war between the US and Iran continues to escalate. The price of oil and, in turn, petrol and diesel is already up. Do Australians need to accept that this conflict will continue until at least the end of the year?

MINISTER CONROY: Well, we continue to call for de-escalation and a permanent cease fire and a permanent settlement and opening of the Strait of Hormuz. That's in the entire global economy's interests and that's really important. In the meantime it just reinforces the wisdom of the actions of the Albanese Labor Government in securing additional fuel supplies. We've secured many additional shiploads of fuel and that has meant that while we've experienced some fuel price increases we haven't seen the impact that other countries in the region in fact the world have experienced. And we'll keep working hard to make sure we've got fuel security in Australia which is what good governments do.

MURPHY: What about the price of fuel? Will the government consider extending the fuel excise discount past August 2nd?

MINISTER CONROY: Well, I'm not going to get ahead of decisions made by the Cabinet. We obviously extended the excise at a reduced rate of discount to- in recognition of the fact that the cease fire was fragile and events were moving at speed. We will evaluate these things as all good governments do. But it's really important that we maintain support for consumers during this difficult period and that's why we've secured additional fuel loads as well as additional fertiliser loads so that our farmers can plant their crops. Fuel security and food security is really important for this government. That's why we've acted so decisively.

MURPHY: And it's certainly looking even more fragile now. Just to another topic, Minister. The Royal Commission into Antisemitism is continuing. Mark Dreyfus, he's called for the establishment of exclusion zones that prohibit protests near synagogues and Jewish schools. Would you support that?

MINISTER CONROY: Well, I respect Mark Dreyfus' contribution to not just this issue but the politics in general and I always take seriously what Mark has to say. I'm not going to get ahead of the Royal Commission. I'll wait for the Royal Commission's recommendations, their findings and this government and this cabinet will consider them in due course. So, I will be following it very closely. There's been no doubt an uptick in anti Semitism in this country which is incredibly unfortunate and is disgraceful. And we'll see what the Royal Commission findings come Back with.

MURPHY: A big topic has been the financial pressures on the Jewish community to fund security. The Government has already committed funds. Is the Government open to committing more if that's what the Royal Commission recommends?

MINISTER CONROY: Well, again, I will be careful about getting ahead of the Royal Commission. We've implemented or we've committed to implementing all the interim findings of the Royal Commission. We'll see what they come back with. Obviously, that increased security cost for the Jewish community is a huge challenge for that community. And it's incredibly unfortunate that, in modern Australia, that is needed. As you said, the Albanese Government has made very significant financial commitments to support an uplift in security. But we'll see what the Royal Commission says. It's really important that politicians of all persuasions respect the process. I'm appalled when politicians try and influence the Royal Commission or intervene or get ahead of it. Let's see what the Royal Commission finds and let's respond then.

MURPHY: Minister, before we let you go on a lighter note, an interruption by Barnaby Joyce's dog is making headlines this morning. And we've been asking our viewers about interruptions like that. Have you ever had anything like that happen on live TV or in a big meeting?

MINISTER CONROY: Well, I live by the lake, and so whenever I do live crosses from the lake, we'll have joggers who want to say hello, the occasional dog. I've got two kids who are 11 and 12, when they were a bit younger, always nervous about doing live interviews in case a toddler ran in, as was that famous BBC interview. So, I do have sympathy for people doing live television. It's the magic of television. But it's always a risky affair.

MURPHY: It certainly is. You never know what will happen. Minister, thank you for your time this morning.

MINISTER CONROY: Have a great morning.

ENDS