Visit to Western Sydney, Greenhouse, Iraq, Leadership, ALP Reform and Marriage

Radio Interview with Chris Smith

Transcript - Auburn, Sydney - 14 August 2002

E & OE – PROOF ONLY

SMITH: …We're down here at Boston Market as you heard corner of Parramatta and Silverwater roads from the little bit frivolous – the soup slurping competition – to something a little bit more serious. In the last forty eight hours the Federal Opposition Leader, Simon Crean and the Foreign Minister, Alexander Downer, have been at each others throats. Nothing really new but it does get a little murky when Mr Crean is described as something of a Saddam Hussein. I understand the situation has been cleared up a bit but we will find out from the man himself because would you believe he was in the area is this like sort of just passing thought we'd drop in?

CREAN: Yeah, it is just passing and thought we'd drop in. I have been out today at the BP Solar plant. They make solar energy – you have seen Homebush Stadium lit up, the street walk – well that's what they produce there. But the reason I was out was because in two weeks time a big international meeting to ratify Kyoto. An international effort to improve our environment that our Government is not going to ratify. Other Governments around the world are, but we're not.

When you look at the job opportunities, and today was a great example of job opportunities that can come from Kyoto, it's not just good for the environment - it's good for jobs, it's good for industry and in this case, very good for Western Sydney.

SMITH: Strangely and inadvertently this is the argument by Government of course that we have to protect industry, that we have to get close to these big business people and we don't want to destroy industries that exist so we have to do this a lot slower. But you're telling us that there are alternate means of energy, but there's also alternate means of creating jobs.

CREAN: Absolutely. And the irony of the Government's approach is that it's introduced legislation in the National Parliament to encourage more solar energy, more alternate energy, but it's not prepared to introduce and be part of that legislation internationally. Now, it just doesn't make sense. I know they have run this scare campaign about it costing jobs. The fact is the environment is going to cost a lot of jobs one way or the other. What we've got to do is to improve energy production, energy usage, greater efficiency. We've got to develop industries that do those sorts of things and create job opportunity and not be frightened by the challenge.

SMITH: We're talking to Federal Opposition Leader, Simon Crean if you have just joined us this lunchtime on 2GB. Now you and Alexander Downer are not going to be on each other's Christmas card lists. I understand he has been describing you as Saddam Hussein but he has recanted somewhat.

CREAN: Yeah, he has apologised so that's okay. In terms of the, you know, individual stoush, that's one thing – but I think his language – the more important issue here, Chris, is that his language has cost wheat growers of Australia, millions of dollars in lost sales. It is one thing to have the political stoush, but when the interests of the country are at stake, and we're there being threatened – he just ought to pull his head in.

SMITH: But Mr Crean you can't have it both ways. You can't stand back and allow this Hussein character to get away with what he's getting away with. And not just in terms of arms inspectors but his alleged involvement with what is happening in Afghanistan and the al Queda network. You can't have it both ways.

CREAN: Well if the link was establishment with al Queda we would be the first to support the action against him. But even the Americans say they can't make that connection.

SMITH: But are you telling me that you don't believe that he is in charge of, or orchestrated a campaign to create biological weapons?

CREAN: But that's not al Queda. So let's get the two issues, the connections right. One is the so-called connection with al Queda - hasn't been made. Secondly, in terms of the weapons of mass destruction we are already part of an international coalition to address that. It's under the United Nations framework. It's that process that has to be pursued before any action is taken. That's all I'm arguing. Not that we don't take action at the appropriate time. But we have to do it in accordance with the UN framework, we have to do it on the facts and we have to do it through consultation. Interestingly enough, that's now what the Prime Minister is saying. It's also what the Americans say. But Alexander Downer wasn't saying it. He was talking about the probability of war ahead of the Americans and we've also had the Defence Minister, Senator Hill, saying we would support a pre-emptive strike. Now it's that type of talk that doesn't serve us well. And Australia has paid a heavy price in terms of the lost wheat sales as a consequence.

SMITH: Now, I notice today, an SBS Newspoll has come out and suggested that the public does not support any attack on Iraq at this stage. What is your crystal ball on this? Will Howard, will the Prime Minister go all the way with the USA on this?

CREAN: Well it's very interesting he's now accepted what I've asked him to do and that is to have the full debate in the Parliament. I would think, given that Parliament goes back next week, the smart thing for the Prime Minister to do would be to bring a report into Parliament and just tell us what he understands the state of play to be. And let's have a debate about it. I mean I'm not against us discussing these things through sensibly. I think we need a cool headed approach to it. I think there needs to be consultation and I'm prepared to be part of a sensible exercise along those lines. But that cool heads not hot heads prevail. Alexander Downer has been the hot head and that is why he needs to be criticised.

SMITH: You'll kiss and make up. You'll be okay won't you?

CREAN: I even wished Peter Costello a happy birthday today, too. He's a sensitive little fellow, isn't he? (Laughs)

SMITH: You kind hearted Opposition Leader.

CREAN: Yeah, I know! (Laughs)

SMITH: Ah, just briefly leadership. The polls weren't kind to you last time around. Now is this because you have this juggernaut called the John Howard Government or is it because you're not doing a good enough job?

CREAN: Look I think immediately after an election that a Prime Minister wins when he wasn't expected to win it the whole mood changes. People become disengaged from the political cycle. What I do know is that when issues such as the increase in pharmaceuticals, which would have come in – thirty per cent increase on the 1^st of August – if it hadn't have been for Labor stopping them. That's now back on the agenda when Parliament goes back next week. These sorts of issues are what concern people. You look at these people out here they can't afford a thirty per cent increase in their pharmaceuticals. People on disability support pensions, they're being forced to take a cut. Now here was the Government telling us the war on terror and the asylum seekers all could be funded out of Budget. Post the election who do they make pay? Families and people with disabilities.

SMITH: It's a long haul for you, though isn't it?

CREAN: Yes it is long. But I don't think that's fair and in the short-term those sorts of measures have got to be opposed. I accept the need for the Budget to be kept in order and I've put forward alternate means by which these issues can be addressed. But, yeah it is a long haul. This is a marathon race, it is not a sprint it is three years until the next election and in the process of the internal reforms I've got to make within the Labor Party, that also will cause me a bit of pain. But I am determined to do it because I think all organisations have to modernise. They all have to look forward and what I want is a party that is open, open to the people, it's inclusive, that has integrity with them, but it also treats them as equals. They're the principals for reform I want in the Party, because they're the sort of thing I want to lead a Government around.

SMITH: Okay the reform has been started thanks to Neville Wran and Bob Hawke, now you've got about one minute before we go to news time. Mr Crean, can I ask you one thing. Some very important information has come out today about the secret of marriage. Tell me your secret to marriage.

CREAN: Well we're just coming up for our twenty-ninth wedding anniversary..

SMITH: Good show.

CREAN: It must be because I've been twelve years in the Parliament, which keeps me away from home so often, (laughs) and prior to that in the Trade Union movement, where I was also often away. (Laughs) But, very happy family and it's great to get back to them and I will see them tonight.

SMITH: Thank you very much for popping in. I know we have buggered up your schedule today but thank you for coming in here.

CREAN: Okay thanks very much Chris it is a pleasure to be here.

Ends