My special guest this morning is a Queensland Senator for the Liberal National Party. I’ve got Paul Scarr online. Good morning, Paul. How are you this morning?
Senator Paul Scarr:
Good morning, Murray. Great to be with you.
Murray:
We saw that backflip overnight, which is very much welcome.
Certainly. But there are still long-term issues. Obviously, the cost of crude oil has jumped quite significantly over the last couple of days. We’re already starting to see that reflected at the fuel pump.
We’ve got a bit of relief with the fuel excise at this stage, but moving forward, in terms of fuel security here in Australia, I guess you’ve got concerns like the rest of Australians at the moment, Paul.
Senator Paul Scarr:
Oh, absolutely, Murray. I can remember when this crisis in relation to the Strait of Hormuz originally broke out. I was speaking with businesses all over Queensland that were really struggling to get fuel.
It affected everyone from fishing trawlers through to people engaged in commercial transport. We’re so reliant on road transport in Australia, so it really underlined the vulnerability Australia has with respect to fuel security.
It’s something that needs to be addressed. It’s very welcome that the Crisafulli Government is progressing further oil extraction in Queensland, and hopefully we’ll have an oil refinery based on oil produced in Queensland. That’s the ultimate fuel security.
Murray:
It would be great to bypass the Strait of Hormuz altogether. We also have a good relationship with Canada and the fuel reserves they have there.
Anything we can do to strengthen those relationships and open up opportunities to ensure a reliable fuel supply, particularly through places in Southeast Asia and Canada, should be on the cards, Paul.
Senator Paul Scarr:
Absolutely. The United States also has significant fuel reserves, so those relationships are extremely important.
What the last few months have taught us is that the situation in relation to the Strait of Hormuz and the Middle East is very fluid, and it seems to change day by day.
Murray:
Let’s move on to the polls. I’ve noticed over the last few days that there’s been a bit of an evening-up across the nation. Certainly for the Liberal Nationals, things seem to be building. Trust and community engagement appear to be paying dividends for the Liberals and Nationals.
Senator Paul Scarr:
I think so, Murray.
We’ve spoken previously about the need for the Coalition to remain united, stay on message, keep the Labor Government accountable, and put forward alternative policies.
I think Angus Taylor has been doing that, particularly in relation to indexing income tax thresholds and holding the Government to account over a range of tax changes introduced in the last Budget, which are having a devastating impact, particularly on the property sector.
I think we’re beginning to see the benefits of that approach. But, gee, there are so many polls these days, Murray. It feels like there’s a new poll every day.
Murray:
That’s certainly the case.
Now, a controversial issue. The centre of politics is where the votes are. There’s been a push from some within the Liberal National Party to move further to the right.
Despite One Nation’s success in some polls, is that momentum starting to shift back towards the centre? Because, to my way of thinking, appealing to voters in the centre is the only way you’re really going to win support away from Labor.
Senator Paul Scarr:
The vast majority of Australians are mainstream. They want policies that help them get on with their day-to-day lives.
People don’t want government constantly interfering in their lives. They want to get on with living, supporting their families, and running their businesses.
Most Australians aren’t sitting there every day analysing political polls or wondering what’s happening in government. They want practical outcomes.
From my perspective, it comes back to bread-and-butter issues. How do we make people’s lives easier? How do we address cost-of-living pressures?
As people take a closer look at alternatives, including One Nation, and hear more about some of their more extreme policy positions, and the fact that some proposals would have a significant negative impact on Australia’s economy, I think many voters are returning to the Coalition.
Murray:
Certainly, when it comes to costing some of the policies One Nation has put forward, there are real questions there.
But it’s good to see the LNP gaining ground in recent polling because the centre of politics is where elections are won and lost.
Senator Paul Scarr:
I think David Crisafulli provides a really good example for the federal Coalition.
He’s leading a stable government, focused on issues that matter to Queenslanders, including people in Cairns. I think he’s setting a very good example for all of us.
Murray:
It’s certainly different at the national level compared to the state level, but there’s no doubt the Queensland Government is going from strength to strength.
Let’s talk about another pressing issue. I saw footage yesterday of people in protective suits collecting dead birds from beaches. Bird flu is becoming a concern.
It may not be a major issue for humans at this stage, but it’s certainly a concern for bird populations and reminds many people of COVID.
Senator Paul Scarr:
It is a concern.
I’ve received a briefing from the relevant federal government departments, and I can assure your listeners that they have the necessary plans and protocols in place. They’re in constant contact with colleagues across Australia and have conducted scenario planning exercises to prepare for situations like this.
The main issue remains bird-to-bird transmission. However, many large poultry farms have already implemented risk mitigation measures to reduce exposure between wild birds and poultry stock.
One thing that’s noteworthy about this particular strain is that there can be transmission from birds to mammals, including dolphins and other marine life.
So if listeners see a bird in distress or a dead bird on a beach, it’s a good idea to contact the relevant authorities.
Murray:
The sooner we can get on top of this, the better, particularly because it could affect egg supplies, poultry production and native wildlife populations.
Another major issue the Prime Minister is expected to address today is artificial intelligence. What’s your view of the Government’s approach to AI?
Senator Paul Scarr:
We’ll wait to hear exactly what the Prime Minister says today.
But this is a major issue for Australia. Artificial intelligence is already having a significant impact on our lives, and that influence is only going to grow.
AI offers enormous opportunities. It can help automate routine tasks, support people in their work, improve productivity and strengthen our economy.
We need to ensure Australia is well positioned to take advantage of those opportunities.
At the same time, there are risks. AI can be used to facilitate scams, invade privacy, breach intellectual property rights, and spread disinformation. It also raises national security concerns.
That’s why it’s important that Australia develops sovereign capability in AI and has the ability to both use the technology effectively and defend against those who may seek to use it against our interests.
Murray:
It’s really about finding the right balance. AI can improve productivity, but there is also a darker side and potential impacts on employment.
Great to talk to you, Paul. We’ll try to catch up on a regular basis.
Queensland Senator Paul Scarr from the Liberal National Party. Thanks for joining us.
How cold is it in Brisbane this morning?
Senator Paul Scarr:
Mate, it’s too cold. I don’t know exactly how cold it is, but it’s definitely too cold.
Murray:
Thank you very much for your time this morning, and we look forward to catching up again in a couple of weeks.
Senator Paul Scarr:
Thanks, Murray. Take care.
