SUBJECTS: COVID outbreaks around Australia; lockdowns; vaccine rollout; Labor’s $300 vaccination incentive; Afghanistan; industrial disputes; South Sydney Rabbitohs; NRL.

RICHARD KING, HOST: Joining us now is Federal Opposition Leader Anthony Albanese, who is on the line. Good morning, Mr Albanese. 

ANTHONY ALBANESE, LEADER OF THE AUSTRALIAN LABOR PARTY: Good morning. Greetings from Canberra.

KING: Yes. Well, we've got a sort of a Canberra day here today. The $300, look, given that certainly in New South Wales, the vaccination rate is apparently now the highest in the world, do we need this $300 incentive, do you think?

ALBANESE: Well, it is both a reward and an incentive. It would be a payment given to every Australian who gets themselves vaccinated by December 1. The fact is we're still struggling. We're still under 30 per cent fully vaccinated. And that compares with the rest of the world that is up at least above 50 per cent in terms of the developed world. We are still way behind. And what it's aimed at is a couple of things. One is providing that encouragement in terms of people who say, 'Well, I'm going to get vaccinated, but I don't have to be in a rush'. So that will really encourage them at the time when the supply of the vaccine is going to increase in the coming months. And secondly as well, the discussions amongst people who are hard to get to - young people, 'Hey, have you got your 300 bucks?' 'Yeah, I got it'. Start that discussion around people who might be a little bit hesitant. We know that economic incentives do work. That's why they've been used all around the world. I noticed that Qantas now has an incentive, their frequent flyers, they're going to be giving points and giving particularly big prizes to the some of their frequent flyers. We know that Telstra is giving $200 to their employees as a cash incentive. And the other thing is that at a time when the economy's really struggling, and we know the economy's going backwards at the moment, because of the lockdowns and the restrictions, that it would be an economic stimulus that would create economic activity in local communities, support small business and provide that bonus in the lead-up to Christmas.

SHANNA BULL, HOST: And why do you think, though, the Government's actually pushing back on this $300 payment?

ALBANESE: I think that Scott Morrison seems to think that anyone who has a different idea should be opposed. If they thought about it a little bit, then maybe they disagree with the position, it would have had more credibility, but they just came out instantly and said no. And that contrasts with the Chief Health Officer who earlier on this year said that we needed to use incentives, a contrast with Lieutenant General Frewen, who's in charge of the rollout, who has said that it's a positive idea and positive ideas should all be considered. We know that the Government actually approached one of the big companies that do gambling about whether they would want to have a lottery conducted. So we know that they've considered these things. I think it's a common sense position that should be supported. It is put forward constructively.

KING: Today's the 20th anniversary of the Tampa crisis. Some 438 Afghans from a distressed fishing vessel rescued by that Norwegian ship, the Tampa, of course something of a diplomatic dispute, but certainly a lot more than 438 Afghans in distress at the moment. You've been highly critical of the Government's response. Do you agree with Tony Blair, the former UK Prime Minister, that said that the UK should retain a presence in Afghanistan until all UK citizens and those that helped UK Armed Forces are removed? Do you think Australia should be taking the same attitude?

ALBANESE: Well, I think that the Australians who are there at the moment assisting Australian citizens, assisting those people who helped us while we were on the ground in Afghanistan, interpreters and others, are certainly doing a tough job and are exhibiting real bravery by going in and assisting people. My criticism is that this should have been done before we withdrew our embassy in May. Why is it that there wasn't a plan in place until we had the absolute chaos that we can see around Kabul Airport at the moment?

BULL: Are you still of the opinion that the Government should increase the intake of the Afghan refugees?

ALBANESE: I certainly think that we can afford to be generous and that we have obligations, both moral obligations to assist those who helped us, but it's also an issue of national security. You want the world to know that when people help Australian in positions which are dangerous, which on the ground, clearly interpreters and others, such as those who are guarding the embassy in Kabul, it's a dangerous job they were doing on our behalf, that when they're in need, we will provide support back to them. I think that is an issue of our national security. And quite frankly, I was shocked that on Saturday, 200 guards who had worked guarding the Australian embassy in Kabul, were told if they wanted to support Australia, they should go get a migration agent. That was what they were told in writing. I found that incredible. The Government has reversed that position. And that's a good thing. But there shouldn't have needed to be that public pressure in order for that to happen.

KING: 7:18am on 2HD. Our guest is Federal Opposition Leader, Anthony Albanese. Yesterday morning, the TWU announced a 24-hour strike happening on Friday, all Toll drivers going on strike over proposals to cut overtime and use cheaper contractors. And I believe also, a further 6000 transport workers are due to vote on strike action at Star Trek and FedEx in the next week or so. Do you think during a pandemic is a good time for anybody to go on strike?

ALBANESE: It's not a good time for industrial disputes. There's no question about that. It's certainly not a good time, though, to be trying to cut people's wages. People are doing it tough. Wages in Australia have been in real decline in the last 12 months. That's something that in our lifetimes, we haven't seen happen very often. This Government brought down a Budget in May that predicted, not connected with the pandemic, that predicted that real wages would go in decline over the next four years. We need a plan to increase wages and a plan to increase living standards. And corporate Australia has to do their bit by making sure that they don't try to use the pandemic in order to cut wages. At the moment, we know that parcel delivery has never been higher. And the idea that wages could be cut during this period is, in my view, quite shocking.

BULL: Now on a lighter note, we know you’re a mad keen Souths supporter. Do you think you can bounce back from the loss to the Penrith Panthers and do a job on the Chooks this week?

ALBANESE: Absolutely. We are going to flush those Chooks. They are our archenemy. And I thought we were pretty unlucky versus Panthers. We had a number of calls that didn't go our way.

KING: Here we go.

ALBANESE: Penrith hung in there and played very, very well. But I think we'll be all the better for a tough game. And I think it is very wise of South Sydney, if you think that you want to beat the big teams, Penrith is certainly one of them, then we'll wait a couple of weeks for the semi-final when we'll play them again.

KING: He is blaming the ref for the loss to Penrith.

ALBANESE: No. I didn't say that. We had calls that didn't go our way. Anyone who saw the game knows that. 

KING: Thank you very much for your time this morning, Albo. 

ALBANESE: Always good to chat. And it's good that the Knights are in the eight. 

KING: We still have a couple to go to cement that spot. But we got the Titans on Thursday night, so fingers crossed.

ALBANESE: You'll get there.

KING: Thanks very much for your time this morning. Have a good day.

ENDS