Interview with Jayne Azzopardi - Channel Nine, Today Show

JAYNE AZZOPARDI, HOST: The Albanese Government is under pressure to come clean on this year's migration target as ugly anti-immigration rallies turn the spotlight onto population policy or lack thereof. Joining us to discuss today's headlines is Minister for Employment Amanda Rishworth, and Shadow Minister for Small Business, Tim Wilson. Good morning to you both.

TIM WILSON, SHADOW MINISTER FOR SMALL BUSINESS: Happy Tuesday.

JAYNE AZZOPARDI: Amanda, look, this is a really tricky thing to discuss because there are people with legitimate concerns about whether this country can handle more migrants, but those concerns really got lost over the weekend by those very ugly and very racist scenes. Do you think your Government needs to do better in handling this issue?

AMANDA RISHWORTH, MINISTER FOR EMPLOYMENT AND WORKPLACE RELATIONS: Well, firstly there should be no excuses for people behaving badly, like we saw on the weekend, making people feel uncomfortable in their own communities. So I think we all need to stand up and say that there is no place to be calling for people, particular groups of people, if they don't look like you, to be excluded from this country. So, I'll just make that point.

When it comes to migration policy, we've been doing a lot of work. For example, we have seen a reduction in the net overseas migration from the peak of COVID levels down 37 per cent, particularly as a result of a number of things, but including sustainability around student visas. So, look, we continue to work on this. Obviously, we're working with states and territories on the permanent migration figures, but we do need to recognise there was a large bump as we came out of COVID, but we are working on a sustainable migration system across the board.

JAYNE AZZOPARDI: So when will you release that migration target?

AMANDA RISHWORTH: In terms of the permanent migration target. I think as Minister Burke said, we are working with states and territories on that, but that target will be released shortly.

JAYNE AZZOPARDI: Tim, what is your view on immigration into this country? Because, obviously, people are tying this to the housing crisis. People feel that there may not be enough housing for people. But then I know we've had businesses and industries on this show that say they don't have enough workers in this country to cover their industries. Where do you think the balance sits?

TIM WILSON: Well, firstly, we just need to make the point that Amanda's right. There's no place for intimidation or violence of Australian citizens because of their bloodline. But people, of course, are entitled to voice their opinion about these issues because they're part of shaping the future of our country. And my view is clear. We need sustainable migration where we have a pathway where migration works for the future of Australia. And I think that's what the overwhelming majority of Australians want.

JAYNE AZZOPARDI: That's easy to say, but how do you do it?

TIM WILSON: Well, and that's the thing. It's got to be managed where the volume of people coming in is matched by the investment in public resources and the volume of housing. Today, there's a report out showing the Government's well behind, 40,000 homes behind in terms of the homes Australians need. And people are rightly turning around and saying, can we continue to bring more people into the country when we can't provide for Australians today. The same with hospitals, the same with other forms of infrastructure. It's just about making sure things are sustainable for every Australian, whether you've arrived yesterday or you've been here for generations.

JAYNE AZZOPARDI: All right, another issue making headlines this morning. If you live in the suburbs, you'll know that there are more and more e-bikes taking over the roads. Some of them seem more like motorbikes than bicycles. So now some independent MPs want more regulations to classify them as road vehicles. Amanda, given we know there's a surge in injuries, even fatalities, is this something your Government would get behind?

AMANDA RISHWORTH: There is, obviously, with new technologies, a whole lot of different type of vehicles on the road and e-scooters. I've seen some contraptions, I'm not sure what I would classify them as. But, look, it is predominantly a state and territory responsibility around regulation. We're always there to help state and territories. But, you know, of course, this needs to be led by states and territories around the safety on our footpaths. But I do understand the concern because there is challenges on footpaths now about how do you share them, but predominantly this is a state and territory issue.

JAYNE AZZOPARDI: What about you, Tim?

TIM WILSON: Yes, it's for state and territories, but adults shouldn't be riding on bicycle paths. That's a standard position across the country. People should be riding on roads unless they're under the age of 12. Certainly that's the rule in Victoria. People need to be wearing helmets. They need to be showing appropriate caution. They need to be respecting the road rules and the Government, state governments and police should be doing the appropriate thing to enforce that as part of ordinary road rules.

JAYNE AZZOPARDI: OK, we've done Federal Government, we've done state government, let's talk about councils. Because this is a council money grab gone way too far. North Sydney Council considering asking large groups to pay to use public parks. Amanda, they reckon schools and personal trainers and dog walking businesses are taking advantage. What do we pay rates for?

AMANDA RISHWORTH: Well, look, there's probably a reason I didn't put my hand up to run for local council, but I'm going to start with a very principled view. Public land should be public land. Of course, you know, from time to time, councils might need to manage how that public land is shared, but ultimately public land should be public land.

JAYNE AZZOPARDI: Tim, quickly, does it pass the pub test?

TIM WILSON: It doesn't pass the pub test unless you're using it for a commercial purpose and then, of course, if you're part of a small business using it for a commercial purpose, then there should be some discussion.

JAYNE AZZOPARDI: So personal training is a fair game?

TIM WILSON: That's an interesting conversation. We've had that in Melbourne a couple of times and in the end they've come to an accommodation, but I don't know the terms.

JAYNE AZZOPARDI: All right, Tim and Amanda, thank you both for joining us this morning.

ENDS