E&OE TRANSCRIPT
TELEVISION INTERVIEW
TODAY SHOW
TUESDAY 12 OCTOBER, 2021
 
SUBJECTS: IBAC hearings; Sydney re-opens; vaccines
 
KARL STEFANOVIC, HOST: Welcome back. Well, the ALP is facing yet another corruption scandal this morning, the eighth Minister in just seven years resigning from Daniel Andrews’ Victorian Government, again over the issue of branch stacking and dodgy deals. It piles yet more pressure on Labor's national leader Anthony Albanese, to sort out the whole sorry mess as the election draws closer. Let's discuss with Bill Shorten, who's in Melbourne and in Sydney, Triple M’s Gus Worland. Morning guys, nice to see you this morning. Okay, Bill, how many times? How many times do we need to see this?
 
BILL SHORTEN, MEMBER FOR MARIBYRNONG: Too many times. Listen, it was the first day of hearings yesterday. The evidence which was put forward was startling. Listen, it was frankly incredibly disappointing. And I also think for the vast majority of ALP members, for MPs, it was just embarrassing. This isn't the way that our political parties should be operating. And you know, IBAC’s still got a fair way to go. I can't comment on everything. It's only been one day, but it does remind me of the wisdom of Dan Andrews and Anthony Albanese when these revelations were put out last June, they moved within 24 hours to take strong action, something I supported last June.
 
STEFANOVIC: Anthony Byrne is a self-described branch stacker, and this guy is on the Parliamentary Committee for Intelligence and Security. Is that the kind of guy you want in Parliament?
 
SHORTEN: Well, it was hard evidence yesterday, IBAC hasn't finished its matter, in fact, it's only just started, so let's reserve a bit of judgment till we've heard all of the evidence, but this to me highlights the need - you can have zero tolerance for corruption anywhere, in your own political party or in any organisation. I do also think as a footnote, this is why we need a Federal Anti-Corruption Commission. But you know, people hate seeing this sort of stuff, but frankly rather that it be seen and dealt with, than covered up. So, you know, today will be difficult, and the next few weeks. But Labor did act when it was revealed. And, you know, hats off to Dan Andrews and Anthony for taking the action they did.
 
STEFANOVIC: Well, this guy is still in Parliament, Anthony Byrne, and it's so damaging for Labor. Five weeks of corruption hearings to go, as you say, in a state Labor needs to win and kill at next federal election. After Anthony Albanese called for day after day, a federal watchdog, as you say, with teeth, here we have a festering ALP sore. I mean, I don't know how - it's not that hard, surely, to fix Bill?
 
SHORTEN: It shouldn't be, and I think for the vast majority of ALP members who would have seen last night's news or reading this morning's newspapers, they'll be incredibly frustrated and feel betrayed, because this is not what the vast majority of ALP members sign up for. And also, I might just say in Victoria at the moment, the Andrews Government is making hard decisions, sometimes controversial, but the vast bulk of MPs are doing their very best to represent their communities. So, you know, it's like being hit in the stomach and winded. No wonder people get frustrated with politics when they see these antics. This is just - it's not the way it should be.
 
STEFANOVIC: Does Dan Andrews survive until Christmas, do you think?
 
SHORTEN: Oh, listen, I don't think anyone's saying he's tied up directly in any of this, but listen, what I think Victorians want to hear in particular, Australians, about Labor, is that we're focusing on their interests. These antics show that some people haven't been. But the vast majority of Labor Party members and the vast majority of Labor MPs are getting up every day and working their guts out for the people of Australia. And that's as it should be.
 
STEFANOVIC: This is in your backyard too Bill, it has to be said. Were you aware of it and why didn't you act upon it?
 
SHORTEN: Well, first of all, the scale of this sort of stuff is staggering, and the nature of these activities is they're not performed in front of you. But it is embarrassing, and I'm frustrated that it's been going on and you know, there is no satisfactory answer except rooting it out. Nothing less is going to is going to be enough.
 
STEFANOVIC: Bill, at least you’re fronting it. Gus, it ends up shattering our trust in politics, doesn't it? And I'm sure this is happening on both sides.
 
GUS WORLAND, TRIPLE M: Yeah, exactly. This is the first thing a mate of mine said this morning on the way into the station. You know, shock horror, another politician’s doing something wrong, but I've got to put my hand up to Bill. He's taken it on the chin this morning. Nothing that he said that anyone would disagree with, you know, absolute disappointment for something that he obviously loves and has dedicated his life to. And there's always going to be a couple of dodgy people out there doing that stuff. So at least you put your hand up, it gives you a chance to clean it, get rid of those people and get good people back into power. But yeah, it is a shattering thing for public who are going through obviously a real drama in Victoria at the moment.
 
STEFANOVIC: Gus, you would have had to put your hand up yesterday and clean it after partying the night away with First Freedom Day in Sydney.
 
WORLAND: Yeah, I wish you could have been with me, Bill, and Karl. You would have been great people to have with me. I went out for brekkie, I went out for lunch and I went out for dinner, all with different people as well. We did all the right things in terms of clocking in and showing our vaccine passport and all that. But we had a ball. It was just brilliant to have just those freedoms as it's been called and everyone just having a beer. And there's nothing like a beer out of a proper glass at the pub out of a tap, it just tastes so much better. And my mum's coming down tonight. I haven't seen her since nearly Christmas time. She's made cupcakes and she's very excited to see her grandchildren. So yeah, we're getting there, and I feel for Victoria that are not quite there yet. But yeah, it was a great day yesterday.
 
STEFANOVIC: She'll be happy that you found your eyes from last week.
 
WORLAND: Yeah, that is. That is true. I was born in Guam, you see. So, people have always said that about me, but I'm I am feeling better today than I was last week, that's for sure mate.
 
STEFANOVIC: Hey, Bill, I mean, it is difficult to watch the celebrations, but Victoria isn't far away now, and you could almost feel it for them. But a couple more weeks and you're there.
 
SHORTEN: Yeah. Listen, in the case of Melbourne, it's put one foot in front of the next. We're going to make the finishing line. I don't feel bad about Sydney coming out of lockdown. I am rapt for Sydney. I'm rapt that people have got more freedoms to move. I do sound a note, though. Let's keep vaccinating. We can't lower our guard now. There's still a lot of people who haven't been vaccinated through no fault of their own. People with disabilities, for example. So, I'm rapt that we're out. That's excellent, in Sydney. We're going to get out but spare a thought for those who until they get vaccinated, can't leave. And just a free bit of advice for the other states. Let's lift those vaccination rates because no one is immune from COVID.
 
STEFANOVIC: Have you rung Annastacia to let her know that?
 
SHORTEN: Oh, listen, I think she understands that very well. But this is not just a case of the officials in charge having to do the work. With the vaccinations. It's every one of us. I've still got some lower vaccinated postcodes in my own electorate. We're getting out to the local churches. We want to encourage people not to be afraid of the vaccine, but to roll up their sleeves and get the jab done.
 
STEFANOVIC: Gus and I will grab two salami sandwiches from Dan Dan’s behind you. It looks like a fantastic joint.
 
WORLAND: Yes please.
 
SHORTEN: Yeah, awesome local business. The first thing they did when they saw the cameraman here is offer him a free cup of coffee. That's what I'm doing Karl, looking after the Channel Nine workers.
 
STEFANOVIC: Great stuff, guys. Thank you.
 
 
ENDS