SUBJECTS: Nuclear-powered submarines; national security; Central Australia’s role in defence; JobKeeper needed for tourism sector; Camp Quality Radio Auction.

KATIE WOOLF, HOST: Good morning to you. 

ANTHONY ALBANESE, LEADER OF THE AUSTRALIAN LABOR PARTY: Good morning, Katie. Good to be with you. 

WOOLF: Well, Albo, great to have you on the show today. And I'm sure you've heard, actually, your colleague Luke Gosling, a bit earlier this morning, he bid $400 for some goat manure and also a farm visit for the kids out at the Independent Member of Parliament Kezia Purick's farm.

ALBANESE: $400 for goat manure. I'll have a word to Luke when he is back in Canberra to get him to explain that. I'm not quite sure what he's going to do with that. 

WOOLF: And obviously out of his own pocket for a good cause. Maybe if anything happens, that Labor wins the next Federal election, you don't put him in charge of finances.

ALBANESE: Well, he couldn't be more wasteful than the current Government, let me tell you. Yesterday's announcement had some very positive elements to it. But they seem to gloss over the fact they spent eight years spending billions of dollars on subs which are now being cancelled. 

WOOLF: And we did talk a bit about this yesterday with David Littleproud. And the question that I was keen to try to find out a bit more of an answer to, and I know that we've spoken to Brendan, your Defence spokesperson, Brendan O'Connor, about the Northern Territory strategic importance, but do you think that this makes much of a difference for us here in the Territory when we talk about how strategically important we are? 

ALBANESE: The Northern Territory is so critical for Australia's defence. It is one of the reasons why very early on with the sale of the Port, when I was the Infrastructure Shadow Minister, I questioned that decision. It seemed to me that wasn't in the national interest when that was made by the then Coalition Government in Canberra and in the Northern Territory. We have no doubt that the placement of Marines there in the Territory has been very important. And that was something that was done under the Gillard Labor Government of which I was Leader of the House and something that was a very good decision in Australia's national security interest. But it also has, of course, given jobs and economic activity there in the Territory, which is a good thing also. 

WOOLF: Now, one area of concern at the moment in the Northern Territory, I've got to tell you, is tourism, particularly in central Australia. I know that nationally yesterday there was further discussion as well about North Queensland and how they are struggling with tourism right now, given the COVID situation that we're in. I mean, Albo, is it time realistically for the Federal Government to look at there being further JobKeeper payments or some kind of payment for those in our tourism industry who are suffering quite acutely right now, particularly Central Australia? 

ALBANESE: Well, it's beyond time. One of the things that Central Australia is suffering from, of course, is that you don't have to have lockdowns to be impacted by lockdowns. And that particularly applies for the tourism sector. If you can't get tourism traffic from New South Wales and Victoria, the two biggest states, then that is having a massive impact there on Central Australia. And this should be the peak period that we've just gone through is when the lockdown has, of course, occurred. I attended a national tourism awards function there a few years ago as the Shadow Tourism Minister there in Central Australia. And you have so much to offer to Australians to visit the Red Centre, but also, of course, for international tourists. It's such an extraordinary part of the world. And of course, people can't come from overseas, so it's missing out on those tourists. But it's also missing out on Australians travelling there at the moment. And that's why we called very early on to express our concern of the premature withdrawal of JobKeeper. If the same conditions there for JobKeeper in a targeted way, where businesses are copping the same reductions in their revenue and just want to survive and we want those businesses to be there when we come out of this crisis, then you've got to provide that support. But this Government has been able to find at least $13 billion for companies that have increased their profits that's gone directly into shareholders or into other areas that weren't needed at the same time as struggling small businesses in the tourism sector are missing out.

WOOLF: Maybe get that money back from them and pay it to those tourism operators that are struggling at the moment?

ALBANESE: It would have made a fair bit of sense, wouldn't it? This is taxpayers' funds we're talking about here. And this is a Government that is strong against the weak but weak against the strong. And this is just another example of it. They got it wrong by not ensuring that there were mechanisms in place to make sure that the money went to where it was needed. And as a result, the tragedy is that those businesses that do need it aren't getting that support. 

WOOLF: Anthony Albanese, we were keen to talk for a bit longer, but we might have to get you on another day because it's going crazy here with the Camp Quality Radio Auction. So, we might try and get you back on another day as well. But mate, what do you reckon, do you want to make a bit of a donation for the Camp Quality Radio Auction? 

ALBANESE: Absolutely. How much is a song? $50?

WOOLF: $50. Do you want a song this morning? 

ALBANESE: I want a song. 

WOOLF: What do you want to go with? 

ALBANESE: If Luke Gosling is listening, this is fiscal responsibility of paying but getting something for it as well as, of course, getting something for Camp Quality, which is a fantastic charity that helps kids.

WOOLF: So, what song are you going to go with, Albo?

ALBANESE: Well, how about Flame Trees? 

WOOLF: Great song. That is one of my favourites, Anthony Albanese. And a pub classic, no doubt about it.

ALBANESE: Very good. Barnsey has been doing a fantastic effort online with his family during COVID, I've got to say, doing cover versions and various things to keep us all going. And Chisel’s, of course, a great Australian band.

WOOLF: Isn't it just? I'd say almost the best. So, what are you going to pay, Albo? $50?

ALBANESE: Yep. Done. 

WOOLF: All right. Anthony Albanese, great to speak with you this morning. Thank you very much for your donation. And we will get that song on for you very shortly. Thank you so much for your time today.

ALBANESE: Pleasure.

WOOLF: That is Anthony Albanese there, the Federal Opposition leader. And we're going to be hearing Flame Trees in just a couple of moments.

ENDS