Interview with Karl Stefanovic, Today Show

Karl Stefanovic, Host: It's been a whirlwind few weeks and today Penny Wong jumps on a plane to go and sort out the world. The Minister for Foreign Affairs joins us now live from Canberra. Hey Penny, nice to see you again.

Penny Wong, Foreign Minister: Good to see you, Karl. I'm not sure if I'm going to sort it all out but I'll certainly give it a red hot go.

Stefanovic: Every faith, every faith. Look, things at home first up, how long do you give Sussan Ley?

Foreign Minister: Well look first I want to congratulate Sussan on her appointment. It's a big thing to have a woman lead the Liberal Party, it has never happened in the nation's history and I'm just going to leave it to the Liberal Party to work out how they go from here. I mean they've still got a lot of issues to deal with, nuclear reactors, higher taxes. I'll leave it to them to try and sort out some of their policy positions.

Stefanovic: It was left to the Liberal Party this morning on our show, this is what Fiona Scott had to say.

[Replay of earlier clip]

Stefanovic: How long do you give her?

Fiona Scott: I don't know. I mean a day's a long time in politics, Karl, so –

Stefanovic: That's not exactly a ringing endorsement.

Scott: Yeah, well, it could be a day, it won't be a day, I'm being cheeky. But I mean look, you don't know what the political tides will bring.

[Clip ends]

Stefanovic: That must make you feel happy, Penny.

Foreign Minister: Ouch. It's not the most ringing endorsement I've heard but look, as I said, I'm going to leave it to the Liberal Party to sort this out. Their bigger problem is not personnel. Their bigger problem is they don't represent middle Australia, Karl. 10 out of 88 seats in the metropolitan, in our cities and our suburbs, 10 out of 88 are with the Liberal Party. So, what that says is that they don't represent people, families, Australians who live in our cities and our suburbs. So, if you're watching this show and you live in metropolitan Australia, live in our cities or suburbs, they don't represent you.

Stefanovic: Alright, she wasted no time having a crack at you in regards to the war in Gaza, saying you've led Australia in the UN. Your response to that?

Foreign Minister: Firstly it's wrong but I think the election said, sent us all a very clear message, Karl. It sent all politicians a clear message. Australians don't like the conflict being used here for political purposes. That's a very clear message from the Australian people and I think we should be listening to it.

Stefanovic: A couple of quick ones. Labor looks like it's getting a little jittery on the super tax. Will there be any change given some inside your own party don't like it that much?

Foreign Minister: Look, you know, we will resolve these issues as we always do, through our usual processes. What I'd say is Jim's done a fantastic job and he, he knows the sorts of economic policies which are needed for the country.

Stefanovic: Is the door slightly open there, then?

Foreign Minister: No, I think this is a position that we've had for some time.

Stefanovic: Okay. Heading overseas, we're still trying to get face time with Donald Trump. Do you think that's likely?

Foreign Minister: Look, the first trip the Prime Minister is making is to Indonesia. And I'm sure there will be other engagements that are settled in the weeks and months to come, including with the United States. Obviously, the first trip being to Indonesia sends a signal, just as his first trip last term was to Indonesia, too. There's no country more important to us. Our region matters to Australia, and we're very focused on what we can continue to do to keep strengthening that relationship.

Stefanovic: Are there any trust issues with a country that regularly does military exercises with Russia?

Foreign Minister: Karl, you'd know that Indonesia has had a relationship with Russia, I think, since the time of Menzies, so a very long time. What we have to focus on is what we do, and that's what we've done. We've got, for the first time ever, a defence agreement with Indonesia. We have stronger economic ties. We work much more closely, diplomatically, internationally. So, we can do what we need to do in our relationship with Indonesia, and that's what we will do.

Stefanovic: What is your playbook with Donald Trump given, I mean, he's obviously an unusual cat, but, but in terms of the approach, what we've seen with China and the backdowns over the last 24 to 48 hours, if we muscle up or do we muscle down, what is the approach?

Foreign Minister: What I'd say, Karl, is when President Trump was elected, I think I made the point to people that the usual rules don't apply. It's a different approach. And we will take that step by step. We recognise that President Trump and the United States envisage a very different role for America and the world. This administration has a very different view about the role America plays in the world. And there's obviously changes in policy and we'll have to keep dealing with that. And I think it's very important for us to stay clear and steady on what is our national interest. What is in Australia's national interest – we are a sovereign nation and we make decisions about what advances our interests.

Stefanovic: Time frame, do you reckon?

Foreign Minister: Time frame for what?

Stefanovic: For some sort of resolution there.

Foreign Minister: Look, we continue to engage on trade issues. I was pleased to see the stepping back, at least a pause in terms of US and China and the trade tariffs there because tariffs don't benefit anybody. They are harmful to working people around the world because of their effect on the global economy. So, that was a good development.

Stefanovic: Okay, less weighty issues here at home, Penny, to finish with. There was a near-miss diplomatic catastrophe yesterday in Canberra. Just check this out. That is Anika Wells' kids. 700 kids are causing the AFP some major headaches. Did you have to intervene like you did with my Harper on a flight with Jasmine a few years ago to stop those kids wrecking the joint. How did you handle that behind the scenes?

Foreign Minister: I don't know which of those to answer but I actually said to Katy just before that happened, I said, isn't it fantastic we can hear kids at a swearing-in ceremony? I didn't intervene for any other purpose than I think to help your partner.

Stefanovic: Good to talk to you, Penny. Safe travels overseas. Appreciate your time.

Foreign Minister: Great to speak with you.

Stefanovic: Okay, thank you.