Interview with Stephanie Borys, ABC Afternoon Briefing

STEPHANIE BORYS, HOST: So, for more on the unfolding situation in the Middle East and the impact here in Australia, Environment and Water Minister Murray Watt joins me now. Minister, thank you for your time on Afternoon Briefing. MURRAY WATT, MINISTER FOR THE ENVIRONMENT AND WATER: No worries, Steph.

Good to be here. STEPHANIE BORYS: Now, how would you describe the threat issued by US President Donald Trump that a whole civilisation would die if a deal with Iran wasn't met? MURRAY WATT: Well, as the Prime Minister said today, Steph, I think those kind of remarks from a world leader are totally inappropriate.

We have always said throughout this crisis that international humanitarian law needs to be respected, and what that means is that civilians and civilian infrastructure should be protected. So again, I back in what the Prime Minister said earlier today in labelling those remarks as inappropriate. STEPHANIE BORYS: Now, news this afternoon from Israel's Prime Minister.

He's saying the country is supporting the ceasefire, but it doesn't include Lebanon. Should Israel cease its bombardment of Lebanon, do you believe? MURRAY WATT: Well again, what we've been saying for some time is that we want to see conflict in the region de-escalated, and that's across the board.

We understand that Hezbollah was undertaking missile attacks into Israel, and that's what drew Lebanon into this latest conflict - that's got to stop. But we also want to see a de-escalation generally. It's not in the world's interests, it's not in Australia's interests to see this conflict continue in any form, and the sooner that it's resolved through de-escalation the better.

STEPHANIE BORYS: Are you concerned that, you know, literally hours after this ceasefire deal was agreed to we are seeing bombing in Lebanon? MURRAY WATT: Yeah, well again, we want to see the conflict in all its forms in this region cease. We want to see a lasting peace in this region, which has been the cause of instability for so long.

The conflict in general in the Middle East, especially of late, is what has driven petrol prices up for Australians - we want to see that end. So, in a general sense, we want to see the conflict in the region de-escalate and we'll support any attempt to do that. STEPHANIE BORYS: So, on petrol prices and looking here at home in Australia, when will they come down?

It's the question I think every motorist is continuing to ask. MURRAY WATT: Yeah. Look, I can understand Australians wanting to see that relief as soon as possible.

Of course, our Government took action by halving the excise on fuel, and I can see the benefit of that myself as I drive past or fill up in petrol stations here in Brisbane. We have also said, though, for some time now, that there would be a long tail to this conflict. We know that in the region there have been a number of different oil and gas facilities destroyed, and that will take time to rectify those.

So, unfortunately, I don't think we're about to bounce back to the situation we were in before this conflict immediately. But of course, you know, as soon as those prices can fall the better. But as I say, we have been saying for some time that there's going to be a cost to this for a little while yet.

STEPHANIE BORYS: Now, of course, this crisis has brought into the spotlight the fact that Australia relies heavily on other countries for fuel. The Queensland Premier today wants to speed up approvals for oil projects in Southern Queensland. This afternoon his Government’s saying it's going to prepare a development plan.

Would you support an expedited process? MURRAY WATT: Well, we're open to any idea that's brought to us around delivering more energy supplies for Australians as quickly as possible. I mean, we are the party who has had a policy of having a future made in Australia.

We're the party who's saved the last two remaining fuel refineries that we had in Australia after the former Coalition Government allowed four to close. So, we're open to these sorts of ideas from the Queensland Government. The issue is that we still haven't received a concrete proposal from the Queensland Government.

STEPHANIE BORYS: What do you mean by concrete proposal? So, have there been some level of discussions at least? MURRAY WATT: No, none at all – none at all.

And the first that I was aware that the Queensland Government was looking for some sort of fast-track process was when we read about it in the media today - and that's not the way to conduct relations. I think Australians want to see governments working together to solve these sorts of challenges, rather than taking pot shots at each other in the media. I'm happy to have a discussion with the Queensland Government if they want to approach us.

As you mentioned, Steph, it was only this afternoon that we saw the Deputy Premier of Queensland Tweet that he had now directed the State Coordinator-General to come up with a plan to develop these resources. But meanwhile, this morning, we had the Premier of Queensland saying that we should fast track a project that they haven't even developed themselves. I think that was more about the Queensland Government trying to gain media attention rather than anything.

The other thing we need to bear in mind is that even if this project was to be approved, we're talking five to 10 years before it would produce any commercially viable oil supplies. That’s not to say we shouldn’t- STEPHANIE BORYS: But if it was to be fast-tracked- sorry Minister, if it was to be fast-tracked, it could be brought forward more so than those figures you're saying, the five to 10 years.

MURRAY WATT: All of the energy experts that have commented on this today have said that to take an oil field like this from where it's at the moment, which is minimal exploration, to actually producing oil, along with approvals processes, even if they are fast-tracked, you're talking five to 10 years. So, I would encourage the Premier to work with us to deliver solutions to Queenslanders and Australians right now, while we also look at how we can build our national resilience for the future.

STEPHANIE BORYS: Yeah. I was going to say, it's all well and good to look at what needs to be done now, but there seems to be- you know, governments time and time again don't really look long term. So, if I can just talk about, though, the- MURRAY WATT: Could I just say one thing on that, Steph?

I mean, you know, again, our Government when we came to power, we saw the previous government had allowed four fuel refineries to close. We have helped protect the last two remaining ones. We've increased the emergency stockpile of fuel compared to what it was when we came to power - it's now at the highest level for 15 years - STEPHANIE BORYS: But could it still be higher though?

MURRAY WATT: Well, we think that the supplies that we have in place are what we need to deal with this current situation. But I guess the point I'm making is that we have actually taken steps since being in office to ensure that there's a longer-term approach. My colleague, Madeleine King as the Resources Minister, has approved around 15 different areas around Australia for further oil and gas exploration.

So, we are taking those steps. What we're not doing is just running out into the media with a thought bubble that we haven't even spoken to other governments about how we can get them up and running. STEPHANIE BORYS: Okay.

But with this project, those new rules that allow the Commonwealth to give national interest exemptions for projects under the environmental laws, they could be used in this instance in Queensland, correct? MURRAY WATT: Well, again, we don't know exactly what the Queensland Government is proposing because they haven't put anything to us. But it is the case that, as a result of the reforms that we passed last year to our national environment laws, there are a range of options available to simplify and speed up approvals that didn't exist before.

That was why those law reforms were so important that we passed last year - and I might say the Liberal and National Party and One Nation voted against those laws. But those reforms mean that all sorts of projects, whether it be energy projects, housing, critical minerals will, once those reforms are up and running this year, will be able to have much simplified and much more fast track processes than what we've seen in the past.

STEPHANIE BORYS: Now, Minister, while I've got you, I just want to talk more generally about politics and polls and the various polls we're seeing in papers as well. There seems to be an ever-growing support for One Nation. A recent Newspoll was showing that support for One Nation in Queensland, your state, is actually higher now than the Labor Government.

Why is that? Why are people turning their back on the major parties and even the Labor Party, not just the Coalition? MURRAY WATT: Yeah.

Look, I think, Steph, that it's a combination of things. I mean, obviously, there are a lot of not just Queenslanders but Australians who are doing it tough right now. And that's been the case for some time, despite the cost-of-living relief that we have provided to support people which, again, has been opposed every step of the way by One Nation, along with the Liberal and National parties.

I mean, I think the other factor is that we have seen a complete collapse of the Liberal and National Party votes, not just in Queensland, but in Australia. The bulk of the support that One Nation has gained has been off the back of a collapsing Liberal and National Party vote. But we acknowledge that there are some Labor voters who are considering moving to One Nation and it makes it really important for us to deliver to Australians with that sort of cost-of-living relief and that focus on cost-of-living that we've had.

But also, I think what's going to be important is that we bring to everyone's attention the fact that One Nation has consistently opposed every single step we've taken to support Australians with cost-of-living pressures. You know, they've voted against cheaper medicines, they've voted against affordable housing measures, they've voted against our workplace policies which have lifted wages.

If One Nation had their way, all of that cost-of-living relief support that we've provided over the last couple of years wouldn't have happened and people would be in a worse position. So, for a party that says that they're about standing up for battlers, they vote with the Liberal Party more than 80 per cent of the time to stop those battlers getting the support that Labor has delivered and that people desperately have needed.

STEPHANIE BORYS: Well, I think it'll be incredibly interesting to watch the Farrer by-election next month. Of course, Labor isn't running a candidate in that electorate but has always been a very safe Coalition seat. Murray Watt, thank you for your time on Afternoon Briefing.

MURRAY WATT: Thanks, Steph. We acknowledge the Traditional Owners of country throughout Australia and recognise their continuing connection to land, waters and culture. We pay our respects to their Elders past, present and emerging.