Topics: US requests Israel to allow humanitarian aid into Gaza; Ambassador Rudd’s book; Prime Minister’s house purchase;
07:35AM AEST
16 October 2024
Simon Birmingham: Joining us is Simon Birmingham, the Shadow Foreign Minister. Let’s start there. Do you think that letter was necessary, Simon?
Simon Birmingham: G’day. Pete, it’s good to be with you. Look, I think there can be little doubt in the commitment the Biden administration has shown to supporting Israel in its genuine war to defeat terrorist groups, Hamas and Hezbollah, and to provide the assistance to Israel during that journey, as well as ensuring that they provide the defensive support that we see critical for Israel to see off the attacks from Iran. But the humanitarian situation in Gaza is very serious. I think when the United States, with their level of intelligence and understanding of the situation, is sending this message and making it so clearly, it’s important that Israel heed that message and ensure those humanitarian supplies do reach people, innocent people who need it in Gaza.
Pete Stefanovic: I mean, yeah, the war is still going. There’s really not much of Gaza left. Can that situation really be improved when it comes to getting aid into Gaza within 30 days?
Simon Birmingham: Well, it’s certainly within their power to provide the flow for aid. Of course, there are huge problems that Gaza is going to face in terms of rebuilding. It’s why Hamas should release the hostages, agree to a ceasefire and enable a proper process in terms of not just humanitarian aid, but planning for the future of the people living in Gaza, planning for the rebuilding to occur. All of which could occur if Hamas ceased hostilities, surrendered its terrorist infrastructure and most importantly, freely gave up all of the hostages that they continue to hold. Whilst Hamas continues to resist that, to attack and to hold those hostages then at the very least, it is critical that those messages from the US about the flow of humanitarian assistance are heeded and acted upon.
Pete Stefanovic: Hey, just, uh, just on this previous story about Kevin Rudd’s new book about Xi Jinping, Simon. I mean, he’s certainly going a lot further than what he would be as as our Ambassador to the US by saying, if it’s not contained, it could well generate death and destruction at an unimaginable scale. This is according to The Australian this morning. So yeah, he’s gone a lot further in his book than he would as an ambassador.
Simon Birmingham: Well, he speaks with far greater clarity about the challenges that China poses than Anthony Albanese or any member of his government speaks. And so Kevin Rudd’s book here, I think will be important for people to review, most importantly, will be important for Anthony Albanese and his government to review in terms of how they think about the real challenges that exist, how they openly address those in terms of the expectations we should have on a global power like China and how they behave. And right now, very vividly, the type of military exercises China has been pursuing around Taiwan are a demonstration of the risk that is posed as China seeks to exert that military muscle. And in doing so, it creates the real possibility of some type of accident or miscalculation that could lead to an escalation and conflict, the likes of which none of us would wish to see.
Pete Stefanovic: Okay, let’s get on to the local political scene and the Prime Minister is in a touch of hot water over this house purchase in Copacabana and the New South Wales Central Coast is a beautiful area. Beautiful looking home too. He’s allowed to buy a home. But Simon, he’s been called out of touch. It’s tone deaf, others have said, given that he’s on the verge of an election that will be fought on housing affordability. So what are your thoughts on that?
Simon Birmingham: Pete, like you, I haven’t been able to get the song out of my head for the last 24 hours either! But I and the Coalition judge the Prime Minister on his policies, not his private investments. And his policies are where he’s letting down the Australian people and failing to contain inflation, interest rates, and the cost of living pressures that are so real and serious for so many Australians.
Pete Stefanovic: Yeah. You want to sing it for me, Simon?
Simon Birmingham: [Laughs] We can do a duet, perhaps.
Pete Stefanovic: [Hums] I don’t know the words, no, I don’t know the words. It’s not going to work for me. Do you know the words?
Simon Birmingham: I heard you before.
Pete Stefanovic: [Sings] Copa. Copacabana.
Simon Birmingham: [Sings] Copacabana.
Pete Stefanovic: What’s the next line?
Simon Birmingham: [Sings] Da da da da da da da da.
Pete Stefanovic: No, no, no one knows the next line. Simon Birmingham, it’s good to see you this morning. Thank you so much. We’ll talk to you soon.
Simon Birmingham: Thanks mate, cheers.
[ENDS]