Interview with Karl Stefanovic - Channel Nine, Today Show

KARL STEFANOVIC, HOST: In another fraying of social cohesion, the Jewish community and pro-Palestine protesters have violently clashed on Sydney's Bondi Beach. MP Amanda Rishworth and Tasmanian Senator Jacqui Lambie join us now. Good morning ladies, nice to see you this morning. Amanda, first up, how's the Government going with simmering tensions down out there?

AMANDA RISHWORTH, MINISTER FOR EMPLOYMENT AND WORKPLACE RELATIONS: Well, firstly, I would say there's absolutely no place for hate and this type of physical violence. I don't think Australians want to see divisions and hate and violence from overseas imported here. Of course, it's a matter for New South Wales Police, but I think everyone has a responsibility to simmer down or to reduce tensions, but there's just no place for this type of violence.

KARL STEFANOVIC: Jacqui, flags and where you fly them is becoming seemingly a pretty hot issue out there.

JACQUI LAMBIE, SENATOR: Look, I think that most Australians are wearing down over the fight with what's going on. It doesn't matter what's going on out there with protests, but I think most Australians are just going enough's enough. And when you put that violence into it, I think they say, that's it. I say to them, stay home and spend time with your kids. 

That's the best, most productive thing that you could actually do quite frankly. And I don't know what that fighting is going to do to those starving kids on that Strip, to be open and honest with you. If you want to do something productive, then start calling for blue hats to be put in there and get those peacekeepers on the Strip so we can get those kids fed. That's the best thing you could do instead of what you're doing out there weekends.

KARL STEFANOVIC: Jacqui, do you sometimes wake up in the morning, just moving on now, and wish you were part of the Coalition? Does that ever happen?

JACQUI LAMBIE: Yeah, no, I've finished my nightmare by then, Karl. Now, now, now, gee whiz. I tell you what. It would be great if we could just have an opposition in this country, and right now I've only got so much screen time I allow myself a week, and quite frankly, it's taking my Kardashian time, mate. So fair dinkum. More excitement than Kardashians. You couldn't make this stuff up.

KARL STEFANOVIC: I get you. Sussan Ley, look, obviously, she's done her best to appease the Indian migrant community over the weekend after Senator Price accused Labor of using them to boost their vote. I'm reluctant to go to Amanda on a Monday morning for a free hit, but let's start with the accusations anyway. Is Labor boosting Indian migration? Did they boost it before the last election to secure preferences?

AMANDA RISHWORTH: Well, I would firstly absolutely reject that. We have a non-discriminatory migration policy. But this has been a terrible slur on Indian Australians that make a huge contribution to this country. And look, Sussan Ley has tried to make things up with the Indian community, but she hasn't apologised. She hasn't apologised for her senior frontbencher and neither has that frontbencher apologised. 

So, look, quite frankly, it's pretty bad behaviour. There's just continuing in-fighting. I'm going to get on with my job. I'm going to put that to one side and get on with my job. And the Government's going to get on with our job of delivering because, quite frankly, it's a sideshow over there.

KARL STEFANOVIC: I find it very difficult to believe you're going to put that to the side. Jacqui, singling out particular groups when we're trying to have a rational debate on immigration, I wouldn't have thought it's that helpful.

JACQUI LAMBIE: No, it's not that helpful. As a matter of fact, both of them are as bad as each other when it comes to targeting, and we have not been good with that for the last 20 years. That is why we're down on tradies. We don't need more dog walkers and we don't need more yoga instructors. 

What we need is to make sure that that list is targeted and we get the migrants in here that we need so we can start getting those houses built, and obviously get them settled and get them on with a new life here in Australia, and that's what needs to be done.

KARL STEFANOVIC: This debate came out of a clear blue sky for mind. Look, I love our Indian community and especially their cuisine. In order to bring our communities together, Amanda, what's your favourite Indian dish?

AMANDA RISHWORTH: Oh, I have to say a saag paneer is my favourite. Spinach and cheese, I love it.

KARL STEFANOVIC: Oh, there you go. Jacqui, A bit of dal, dal?

JACQUI LAMBIE: Baby, mine's korma lamb and it's got to be as hot as- hot on the trot, baby, hot on the trot.

KARL STEFANOVIC: Hot on the trot.

JACQUI LAMBIE: I tell you what, if I'm not feeling it the next morning, mate, it ain't hot enough. Simple as that.

KARL STEFANOVIC: Look, I've got to talk about screen time. 14 years parents out there are wasting of their lives in order to look at their screens in front of them. Amanda, how long do you spend on your phone? Be honest with us.

AMANDA RISHWORTH: Look, it's probably more than 14 years I'm spending on my phone. I think I know I'm in a bit of trouble when my kids are telling me to put my phone away. That happens from time to time, but hopefully the right to disconnect will help some people with that.

KARL STEFANOVIC: Okay. Jacqui, what's your most used app on your phone? Is it Tinder?

JACQUI LAMBIE: Now, now, Karl, I can't tell you that. Jesus Christ, swiping left or right, that's my most excitement for the day, baby. And by the way, I must say, after doing the Veteran Mentors last Christmas with those kids and seeing 67 per cent of them were addicted to their screens, it actually made me have a good look at myself, so I don't have TikTok on my screen anymore. Jeez, I can see why that stuff gets addictive. I'll tell you what, I'm much happier for it. If people need me, they can call me. It's as simple as that.

KARL STEFANOVIC: A little old school. Thank you, ladies. Appreciate it.