E&OE TRANSCRIPT

RADIO INTERVIEW

TRIPLE M CENTRAL QUEENSLAND WITH BANKSY & PINKY

WEDNESDAY, 4 NOVEMBER 2020
 
SUBJECTS: NRL; State of Origin; Queensland state election; US election.
 

HOST: Anthony Albanese, Leader of the Opposition. How are you?
 

ANTHONY ALBANESE, LEADER OF THE AUSTRALIAN LABOR PARTY: I am very well.
 

HOST: Well, first things first, I do understand you called through to get an entry into our Queensland First Try Scorer of State of Origin competition. I've drawn a number out for you. You've got number four, Dane Gagai.
 

ALBANESE: Excellent. Well, he, of course, puts on a Queensland jumper and he just scores a try. So, you can just give me the prize. What's the prize I win?
 

HOST: You get 250 bucks to spend. Maybe you could shout me a jersey, mate.
 

ALBANESE: Excellent. You're on. I can do that.
 

HOST: Hang on, I want the jersey. That's the only way I'm going to get a Queensland jersey given to me, seriously. Well, while we're on the topic of State of Origin tonight, how are you feeling as a Queenslander?
 

ALBANESE: I am almost a Queenslander, 362 nights a year. I love Queensland. But for three nights there is an issue.
 

HOST: How do you feel after the state election?
 

ALBANESE: Look, I feel really good. We had an outstanding result. Sorry, I just had a sneeze. But I just think up there, you've got fantastic local members, Barry O'Rourke and Brittany there in Keppel just a bit to the north. I've spent time with both of them. They are great members. It's just extraordinary.
 

HOST: Well, what's going on with Labor Federally then, champion? Come on?
 

ALBANESE: Well, I haven't had a crack yet. We will wait and see. What it shows is that the Labor brand is strong there in Central Queensland and is strong in all of those regional towns. From the north, from Cairns right down to Maryborough, we did exceptionally well. And it shows that Annastacia Palaszczuk did a fantastic job. I don't think Queenslanders like Scott Morrison coming up there and telling them what they should do with their borders and breaking up the idea.
 

HOST: We don't like being told what to do, period. So, make it a little bit more suggestive.
 

ALBANESE: Exactly.
 

HOST: So, Albo, just wanted to switch up the subject regarding messaging. What are your thoughts on the battle of the pensioners that is going on over at the states at the moment?
 

ALBANESE: Well, I'm going to say the equivalent, I can run for seven terms as Prime Minister if I am successful. And I'll still be younger than either of the candidates in the US. Look, we will wait and see. It's an important election for the world. The US plays a leadership role. And it is up to them to decide, of course, not up to me to tell them what way to go. But I do hope that people, I'm somewhat concerned about some of the comments questioning whether the democratic outcome will be supported. One of the good things about democracy is people put forward their views. On Saturday night, I thought the Premier gave a fantastic speech, but I also think Deb Frecklington gave a good concession speech as well, immediately accepting the result. That's what you do in a democracy. You accept an outcome. And it isn't quite like a footy game where you can complain about the ref.
 

HOST: The video ref. It was a knock on, come on.
 

ALBANESE: If only Adam Reynolds hadn't had been pulled up for that 40-20 with his foot on the line. We might have been in the Grand Final against Melbourne, my mighty Rabbitohs. And Dane Gagai could have scored a double.
 

HOST: Anthony Albanese, a pleasure to have a chat with you this morning. Good luck in the upcoming Federal election and I'm sure we'll see you around Central Queensland when it's due time.
 

ALBANESE: You sure will. Once I'm allowed to come there.
 

HOST: We didn't really shut the border from COVID, it was like, 'Let's just keep these pollies out'.
 

ALBANESE: Yes, stop all the pollies coming up and annoying you. You still got Scott, but I don't think that worked real well.
 

HOST: Have yourself a fine day, Anthony Albanese.
 

ALBANESE: Thanks very much. Cheers.
 
ENDS