E&OE TRANSCRIPT
TELEVISION INTERVIEW
TODAY SHOW
TUESDAY, 26 OCTOBER 2021
 
SUBJECTS: Daniel Andrews pushes back against tennis stars on vaccination requirements; NRL clubs urged not to sack players who refuse vaccine; Coalition deals on net zero; McDonalds ditches the all-day brekkie.
 
SYLVIA JEFFREYS, HOST: Welcome back. The Djoker has copped one of the biggest serves of his career, and it's been whipped in by Victoria Premier Daniel Andrews. He didn't name Novak Djokovic specifically, but his target was quite clear.
 
DANIEL ANDREWS (VIDEO): All the people who are watching the tennis at the Australian Open, they're going to be double vaxed. All the people that work there are going to be double vaxed. It stands to reason that if you want to get into the country to be part of that tournament, then you should be double vaxed as well.
 
JEFFREYS: So, it leaves a big question mark now, over whether the world number one will make it to Melbourne at all, as he still refuses to reveal his vaccine status. For more, we're joined by Shadow Minister for Government Services Bill Shorten and 4BC’s Scott Emerson. Good morning to you both. Bill, to you first, do you back Daniel Andrews over this?
 
BILL SHORTEN, MEMBER FOR MARIBYRNONG: Yeah, I do. I think that why would we want to import COVID into this country if we didn't have to? I think that there shouldn't be one rule for Victorians and another rule for the rich and powerful global tennis stars. So, I think Dan is right on this. And for consistencies sake, it shouldn't be your ability to pay off the rules. You've just got to play by the same standard that everyone else does.
 
JEFFREYS: Well, Scott, it would be a glaring case, as Bill points out, of double standards if Novak was allowed to play in Melbourne. But it puts Tennis Australia in a tough spot, doesn't it? Novak is a huge drawcard. Do you think the spectators are going to miss him?
 
SCOTT EMERSON, 4BC: Oh, I think Tennis Australia just needs to man up and accept that is the reality of us coming out of this pandemic. He needs to be double jabbed to be allowed to come in. So, look, I think that the fans, they might be disappointed, but I think they understand in the current situation where we're in, they need to have, clearly, not double standards and allowing the Djoker into Australia, someone who has for all intents and purposes been basically an anti-vaxxer, in, not being jabbed, I think would be a slap in the face to everyone out there who's got the jab, done the right thing, as we tried to fight the pandemic.
 
JEFFREYS: Bill, as you know better than anyone, Melbourne - everyone in Melbourne - has made enormous sacrifices over the last two years. Do you think that in the community in Melbourne, there is a lot of sympathy for Novak?
 
SHORTEN: No, I suspect most people will say, well, we've done it. Why don't you? Listen, I get there are some people who are unvaccinated who genuinely are afraid of the vaccine. But how on earth do we insist on people getting vaccinated in Australia to do essential work, and we don't apply that standard to someone coming from overseas? I mean, if we have to go to other countries, we've got to adhere to their rules. A visa to Australia is a privilege. It's not a right, and you've just got to adhere to the rules. Simple as that.
 
JEFFREYS: It all comes as NRL chairman Peter V’landys calls for clubs to quote “go easy on unvaccinated players”. He's resisting pressure from some clubs who want to sack players who refuse the jab. Scott, what's your take on that?
 
EMERSON: Oh, well, look, he's been put under immense pressure because the AFL have said, look, all the players need to be jabbed. I'm surprised by V'landys, who's been very strong and a whole series of issues out there and being willing to take on these kinds of issues, that the NRL has seems to have basically capitulated on this. I know he's saying that 95 per cent of players will be jabbed and somehow that makes it okay. But again, these are role models. The NRL has to send the right message to the community, and on that basis, I think that he should be doing exactly what the AFL is doing and saying all players need to be jabbed or they're going to be sidelined.
 
JEFFREYS: Bill, what's your take on how the NRL's responding to this?
 
SHORTEN: Oh, listen, I think the AFL has got the balance right. I mean, if 95 per cent of people go to work and then catch something from someone who's unvaccinated, they're not very happy and they shouldn't be very happy about that. So, listen, I get it's not easy. Maybe the NRL has got a couple of marquee players who, for whatever reason, don't want the jab, and maybe Peter V'landys is trying to navigate that.
 
JEFFREYS: The same is bringing Novak, not allowing Novak Djokovic in the into the country. Isn't that double standards?
 
SHORTEN: Exactly. I mean, exactly. Listen, just roll up your sleeve, get the jab done, it takes about 10 seconds. The vaccine’s the reason why we're able to open up and the vaccine’s the reason why hopefully our hospitals won't be overrun and the vaccine’s the reason why we can get back to normal. The scientists have done a good job. We've got the tools. Let's just do it and finish the job.
 
JEFFREYS: Okay. Let's move on to news happening in that building where you are this morning. Detail this morning on the deal over zero emissions, the Nationals getting commitments to regional investment and an extra spot in cabinet. Bill, is it a price worth paying do you think, for a deal?
 
SHORTEN: Well, listen, I think the ritual conflict between the Liberals and the Nationals is all a bit of a kabuki play. They're just going through the motions. Barnaby was always going to do a deal. I think though, the difficulty is that the Coalition's now had more positions on climate change and that famous Indian picture book. I mean, you've got the Leader of the Nats is anti-zero emissions. The rest of the Nats are for it. You've got - the Coalition’s for net zero, but they've promoted this fellow Pitt from Bundaberg. And I mean, he thinks that modern energy policy is made for tofu eating fire twirlers. I mean, it's - let's just get on with it. Will you please? Ladies and gentlemen of the Coalition.
 
JEFFREYS: Fire twirlers - but can you just confirm if you were making a Kamasutra reference there? Is that what we are getting at?
 
SHORTEN: Well, I was trying to go the family friendly way Sylvia, but now you’ve forced it out of me, it was a Kamasutra reference.
 
JEFFREYS: Okay [laughs]
 
SHORTEN: I was trying to keep ot family for the mornings.
 
JEFFREYS: Spicing up what's going on in Canberra anyway.
 
SHORTEN: No good deed gets unpunished. I was trying to be subtle and there you go. You dragged me back.
 
JEFFREYS: Okay, so we're talking about plans here. We're talking about commitments. What is your commitment for 2030? What is the Labor Party offering for 2030?
 
SHORTEN: Labor will reveal our policies in the next few weeks. Let's get Mr Morrison off to Glasgow. Thank goodness that's finally happening. So, we will produce our policies well before the next election. But you know, last time around, we put all our policies out well ahead of an election and the government just ran, you know, rubbish campaigns. So, I think our timetable was is good.
 
JEFFREYS: Okay. All right. Well, we will watch with great interest over the next few weeks to see what Labor puts on the table. Now this morning, it gives me no pleasure to report gentlemen on our final story. McDonalds is ditching the all-day breakfast, no more bacon and Egg McMuffins after midday. Scott?
 
EMERSON: I don't know. Look, an all-day breakfast is a clear sign of an advanced civilization. Something has gone terribly wrong here. I know they're trying to - they're trying to placate me by saying the hash brown is available all day. But sorry, I mean, pandemic, COVID, whatever it is, I don't care. Something has gone terribly wrong here when Macca's dumps the all-day breakfast. This is wrong!
 
JEFFREYS: If anyone is in a position to make declarations on civilisation, it's a Queenslander too, in my humble opinion, Bill, how are you going to survive without a 3pm Bacon and Egg McMuffin?
 
SHORTEN: Well, listen, this is bad news for shift workers, for stoners, for uni students, I get that. But you know, this tradition, this tradition, which Scott says is the depth of southeast Queensland civilisation has only been in for six years. So, I actually think to go all climate change that this is a sign of nature healing. We're moving on from COVID. No more tracksuits after midday and you'll have to get down to get your brekkie before then. At least the hash brown is available.
 
EMERSON: Get back to the Kamasutra Bill, get back to the Kamasutra.
 
JEFFREYS: Yes, everyone spare a thought for the stoners this morning.
 
SHORTEN: I know I distracted you then Scott, didn't I. I'm sorry.
 
JEFFREYS: Wow. Hey, you must be bored in Canberra this week, Bill Shorten. You've taken us down some interesting rabbit holes.
 
SHORTEN: Hasta la vista.
 
JEFFREYS: Okay, thank you very much, gentlemen. They’ll always have Doritos.
 
ENDS