E&OE
15 September 2008
Australian Agenda, SKY News Australia
DAVID SPEERS: First though, to the other big political news in the past couple of days, and confirmation now that Labor has lost its first State election in more than a decade.
The Liberals Colin Barnett will be sworn in as Premier after the Nationals in Western Australia agreed to form a minority Government with them.
I spoke a short time ago to one of Labor's most senior figures in the West, Foreign Minister Stephen Smith.
STEPHEN SMITH: In Western Australia, trying to go from eight years to 12 is a hard ask and obviously we've been defeated, not by much, but nonetheless defeated.
It is a message to any Government who has been there for a long period of time. So those State Governments trying to get a third term, after two, or a fourth term after three, really have to be right up to the mark. It is very hard, particularly at the State level when you've got four year terms, asking to go from eight to 12 is a tall order for them.
DAVID SPEERS: And was that it for the Labor Party in WA? Did they simply - were there for too long and weren't accepted by the people, but they deserved another term?
STEPHEN SMITH: Well I think the essential problem was after eight years, if the Opposition is up to the mark then you are in difficulty and the return of Colin Barnett changed the dynamic. If Colin Barnett had not got himself embroiled in the canal issue on the previous occasion, the worst he would have done would have been to got very close, and he may well have won.
So once he returned, and the Liberal Party had a established, respectable figure, then it was very difficult for us.
DAVID SPEERS: Is there a lesson there for the Federal Liberals, that even at the very last minute, you can put in a leader whose credible and win an election?
STEPHEN SMITH: Well I think the longevity is the starting point and even though Mr Barnett was ultimately seen to be a respectable figure, the community did seriously think about whether the Liberal Party were up to the task, because of four years of bitter internal division. But whether Mr Barnett was the leader for five weeks or six or seven months, the balance was always going to be that, a Government trying to get 12 years versus, is the Opposition Leader or the Opposition ready? In the end, narrowly they came down on Mr Barnett's favour.
DAVID SPEERS: Well, now Kevin Rudd has to deal with a Liberal Premier for the first time. How will that effect his plans to achieve reform through so-called cooperative federalism?
STEPHEN SMITH: Whilst obviously we're disappointed, particularly in my case, that we're loosing our State colleagues, we've made it clear that whoever is the Premier of the day, whoever is elected to run the State, we will deal with in the same manner, the same cooperative demeanour. So it doesn't do anything which structurally sets us back.
DAVID SPEERS: We won't see the return of the blame game?
STEPHEN SMITH: No. What you have seen over a long period of time is that when you can make real changes in the service delivery areas that have responsibilities, both Federal and State, is where you sit down and work together, of whatever political persuasion, you make progress and that's our aspiration, that's certainly the Prime Minister's intention.
DAVID SPEERS: All right. Turning to your portfolio, how concerned are you with the bomb attacks in New Delhi which have killed at least 20 people and left more than 100 injured?
STEPHEN SMITH: Well very concerned and we've expressed today our condolences on behalf of the Australian people. These very cowardly and terrible attacks were done to maximise the adverse consequences for families and for civilians. So we condemn them absolutely.
DAVID SPEERS: And for tourists who might be planning a trip to India?
STEPHEN SMITH: Well there were four bombs unexploded, two near the India Gate which, when I was there last week, you know, one goes past on numerous occasions. So motivated and the most cowardly way to maximise distress, maximise harm to ordinary, every day civilians, tourists and otherwise.
Fortunately, we've had no indication yet that any Australians are involved. And as I said last week when I was there, I actually expressed to Prime Minister Singh Australia's condolences for recent terrorist attack both in India and on the Indian Embassy in Kabul in Afghanistan.
DAVID SPEERS: Now Cricket Australia has expressed some concern about their upcoming tour next month. They're seeking some urgent advice about whether they should go ahead with the tour? What is your advice to them?
STEPHEN SMITH: Well we will do what we do with Cricket Australia whenever they're looking at a difficult tour as we have, for example, with Pakistan. We'll provide them with all of our up-to-date travel assessment and advisories. And they are also, as I understand it, doing their own independent security advice, which is what they do on a regular basis. But we will make available to them all of our expert advice. In the end it's for Cricket Australia to make a decision which is how we have dealt with the proposed Pakistan Test Tour and also the proposed Champions Trophy which was recently deferred.
DAVID SPEERS: And what is the latest advice? Is it to show caution?
STEPHEN SMITH: Well it is, to exercise extreme caution. I won't seek to characterise it more than that. People should, as we always advise, read the travel advisory if they're thinking about travelling to India or anywhere else.
DAVID SPEERS: Just finally on Zimbabwe. A power sharing deal finally, looks like it is going to be signed. But Robert Mugabe would remain President and he would still control the army while Morgan Tsvangirai becomes Prime Minister. Is the sort of deal that you would be happy with?
STEPHEN SMITH: Well, what I'd be happy with is if Mr Mugabe left the scene, if he walked away. That would be the best result. But off a very low base we, of course, want to have a look at the fine print which will be announced later today, Australia time. But there does seem to be some role for Mr Tsvangirai who will be Prime Minister. The majority of cabinet members for his party, the MDC and also Mr Mutambara's MDC faction appears as though Mr Tsvangirai will have control, ministerial, of the police. So that's a good thing.
DAVID SPEERS: How important is control of the army?
STEPHEN SMITH: Well that goes right to the heart of it. The real test will be whatever's written on the paperwork, how it is implemented in practice. And that is what we will monitor very carefully. And there are a couple of relevant aspects for Australia. Whatever emerges, we want to respect and reflect the will of the Zimbabwe people and Mr Tsvangirai and his party won a majority in the first round, despite Mr Mugabe's rorting efforts. So it's got to reflect the will of the Zimbabwe people. It needs to work on the ground.
That throws up two issues for Australia. Firstly, sanctions and secondly, our humanitarian and development assistance and we will monitor implementation and effectiveness on the ground as we view those two ongoing matters. Sanctions and further humanitarian and development assistance.
DAVID SPEERS: . Foreign Minister Stephen Smith, thanks for your time.
STEPHEN SMITH: Thanks very much.
[Ends]
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