Interview with Karl Stefanovic, Today Show

Transcript, E&OE Subjects: AUKUS; immigration; Fair Work Commission; Solomons Islands Prime Minister Wale visit. 03 June 2026 Karl Stefanovic, Host: Foreign Minister Penny Wong joins us now live from Canberra. Penny, good morning to you. Thanks for your time.

Look, it looks and smells like a Labor revolt on AUKUS. Is it? Penny Wong, Foreign Minister: Karl, good morning.

Good to be with you. Look, Ed's entitled to his views, but the Government is very clear about why we need AUKUS. This is a capability Australia needs and unfortunately we had a capability gap in terms of our submarines because of what happened under the Abbott, Turnbull, Morrison governments and we are determined to deliver that capability, so it is full steam ahead.

Stefanovic: He wants a vote on it. There are several others who also want that vote. Will you put it to a vote?

Foreign Minister: We're clear about why this is important for the country and I think anyone looking at the world in which we live and the region in which we live understands that Australia needs effective military deterrence, of which submarines are a critical part, in order to assure the peace. I mean, this is about peace and stability and we're not going to get anywhere by delaying further.

It would only set the country back. Stefanovic: So, that's a no on a vote. Foreign Minister: We're not going to set the country back by revisiting a decision which we know is in the interests of the country and in the interests of Australian security.

Stefanovic: The Defence Minister yesterday said that anti-immigration policy, that of Angus Taylor and One Nation, could make us less safe. What does he mean by that? Foreign Minister: Look, I think we all know that Angus Taylor is really just mimicking what One Nation says because he's terrified about what's happening to his vote and we know that's the reason why he is putting those views forward.

It's important that we continue to have a sensible migration program. It's important for the country and it's important that that's matched by ambitious housing policy which is what the government is doing. Stefanovic: But how does controlling migration make us less safe?

Foreign Minister: Well, I'm not sure that's entirely what Richard said. I do think we know that we've benefited from Wongs and Stefanovics, I hope, and others coming to this country to build our country and that will continue. But what we do need to do is make sure it's matched with strong economy and more housing.

That's what Australians understand. Stefanovic: The wage rises announced yesterday, will they lead to higher inflation, higher interest rates? Foreign Minister: Look, obviously the Fair Work Commission has made a decision which will benefit millions of workers.

And, unlike Angus Taylor, this Government, this Labor Government believes that increases in the minimum wage, particularly at a time where cost of living is such an issue for Australians, is a good thing. Stefanovic: Have you managed to find anyone, any single person or business that likes these tax changes? Foreign Minister: Change is always contested, Karl, but I think it's important to go back to what are we doing and why are we doing it.

We're making the tax system fairer. We're delivering tax cuts for workers and we're ensuring that there is a level playing field so that first homeowners get a fair crack. Stefanovic: Okay, you have – come on, one person, one person, one business, Penny, who likes the changes.

Foreign Minister: Change is often contested but what I would say is this, this is about delivering change because the housing system is broken. I don't think there's anybody in this country who thinks it's acceptable to have first home buyers locked out of the market in a way that you weren't and I wasn't. Stefanovic: Foreign Minister: We've got to change things and that's what we're doing.

And I think over time, as some of the scare campaigns are demonstrated to be false, that people will see the benefit of the change. And we've got an opportunity for Mr. Taylor this week to see whether or not he is going to vote against tax cuts again.

I mean, the legislation coming forward will deliver tax cuts to millions of working Australians. Stefanovic: All right, if you can just find the one, I'll happily put them on the show, so at any point. Look, the Solomons has a new Prime Minister who's not quite as pro-China as the last one, to put it mildly.

How confident are you this policing pact, potentially with the Solomon Islands, given China already has police there, that will go ahead? Foreign Minister: I was very honoured to meet Prime Minister Wale yesterday and we will be very honoured to receive him today. And this is a really important moment for relations between our countries.

We want to build trust and goodwill and we want to respond to the priorities that Prime Minister Wale has for his country. This has been a relationship which, as you know, has had a lot of difficulties, challenges over the years, particularly under Mr. Morrison.

And we are keen to do what we have been doing, which is to engage in transformation of our relationships in the region, because that keeps Australia more secure and it keeps Australians safer. Stefanovic: Good to talk to you, Penny. Thanks for your time.

Appreciate it. Foreign Minister: Good to speak with you. Cheers.