Television interview - ABC Afternoon Briefing

PATRICIA KARVELAS, HOST: I want to bring in my political panel for today. Patrick Gorman is the Assistant Employment Minister. Garth Hamilton is the Shadow Assistant Energy Security Minister.

Welcome to both of you. Let's start with Pauline Hanson. Garth Hamilton, she did kick out three media outlets.

So, the numbers grew. turned up – they didn't even know there was a ban. We spoke to their reporter earlier. What's to be done?

I mean, there's no law that says you have to have journalists there, even if they're the public broadcaster. GARTH HAMILTON, LIBERAL MEMBER FOR GROOM: No, there is no law. But as a humble Shadow Assistant Minister, I sop up as much media coverage as I can get, as you well know, PK.

But look, I'm here to seek consensus. I want to talk to all Australians. I think that's an important part of the Liberal Party's philosophy.

We do want to reach out across people who get their news from all different sorts of outlets and lay out our plans, lay out our case, get some feedback and through that iterative process, hopefully come up with solutions that are palatable to a large number of Australians. I think that's what you should see the press as, as a politician, as a means of communicating.

And look, maybe this is why there appears to be a cap on One Nation's 2PP. Why they can get such a high primary vote but not get a 2PP that beats Labor. Maybe that's part of it.

They're not reaching out. I take a very different approach. Right.

Patrick Gorman, it is hard, of course, for journalists to scrutinise policies if they can't turn up. But these are just conventions. I mean, you know, we're working in a different environment, if we can't front up.

PATRICK GORMAN, ASSISTANT MINISTER TO THE PRIME MINISTER: We are working in a democracy. And a democracy involves the media asking questions on behalf of their viewers and listeners. I think most of your viewers, Patricia, would be asking ‘what is it that Senator Hanson doesn't want to answer?

What is she scared of? What question does she not want to be asked?’ I mean, it's pretty basic. I will be honest, I don't love every question that every journalist has asked me.

But I have never banned anyone from a press conference. I have never hidden away from democratic scrutiny, because that's about showing - not just respect to media outlets - it's about showing respect to voters. And that is the bit that really doesn't sit well with me. : I want to move topic and talk about gambling.

Really explosive evidence today, and particularly around this idea of inducements. Allegations that the gambling legislation is not strong enough and people really telling their stories. Garth Hamilton, do you think that the Coalition should push the Government for legislation with more teeth on this? : I'll speak personally.

I do. I think there is the opportunity for us to go a little bit harder. I think Simon Kennedy is a great voice on this.

For anyone out there who wants to hear someone articulate the case for stronger controls. I think he's done an excellent job. I have been spending this winter break door knocking.

I can't tell you a single person who wants to see more gambling ads or doesn't have a concern. Look, obviously, I don't want to see the Coalition deal itself out of negotiations with the Government, as your previous guest was trying our hardest to do. I think we need to find a solution to this.

I think there is a broad appeal across Australia for a stronger position, and I am concerned that when I think about my own kids, they don't watch free-to-air TV. They're on online streaming services and I think those things need to be addressed. : Well, I have to - you say you don't like question - so let me give you one you may not like, Patrick Gorman. Today, explosive testimony from NRL former player, Luke Bateman, alleging gambling company employees unofficially offered to arrange illicit drugs while cultivating relationships with him.

A lot of experts say inducements need to be dealt with in your legislation. Why not go further to protect people from this? : Well, firstly, I thank Luke and everyone who has put evidence forward for the inquiry. It is really important that we hear those voices.

One of the things I did think when I heard some of those stories is there are already existing laws to deal with illicit drugs and a range of those other things – : Sure, they're not working, if it happened. : Well, I mean, I will leave it to law enforcement to enforce the law when it comes to illicit drugs being used as an inducement. I mean, that is really concerning.

But there are existing laws to deal with that. We will wait for the inquiry to put forward its recommendations. I mean, I want us to get something done.

I share the Minister's determination to get something done by the end of this year. We know we can do more when it comes to restricting the advertisement of gambling products. We know that we can do more when it comes to backing in the work that the Minister has done around making sure we don't have gambling company logos on players jerseys that, you know, kids want to wear.

So, let's get all of that done. We will keep listening. It has been a respectful process that we've gone through.

The Minister herself today said that she'll continue to talk to everyone in the Parliament as we seek to progress this through the Parliament over the spring session. But we do want to get it done. : Yeah. I mean, Garth, they say they want to get it done, but you've actually, you know, you've already given us a bit of an insight into your thinking.

You are in the box seat here to force them to go beyond. And if I can be polite here, what Patrick Gorman has just articulated. : Well, look, I think we should be entering this not from a view of force. We're here to represent the Australian people.

I am. Patrick is. I think there is a view amongst the Australian community that we don't need to have this.

We don't need to have saturation on our television screens as we sit with our kids to watch the football experience. I think most fathers have had. And if there is one benefit of this process that has dragged out quite a lot, I think it's that a lot of Australians have actually been forced to ask that question as it comes up.

Is this what I want? Is this right? And can we make a change?

I'm very hopeful that we can work with the Government to get a change that I think better reflects Australian values. I don't think the situation right now is one that does. : Just a quick one for you, Garth Hamilton, without notice. We've only got a minute left.

But Tony Abbott is the Liberal Party President. He says the Independent Commission Against Corruption is overstepping its remit by becoming involved in an internal party squabble. Do you agree with that? : Look, you are catching me unguarded here.

I think there have been previous concerns raised about how these inquiries play out publicly, if that's what Mr. Abbott's referring to, I think that can be an issue. There's some very different approaches from state to state and they have very different impacts.

But look, I'm probably more focused on representing my people in my electorate than something that the party is saying on this issue. : Alright, I'll have to leave it there. Thank you to both of you. : Thank you, Patricia. : Thanks PK. Subscribe and stay up to date Connect with us PM&C acknowledges the traditional owners and custodians of country throughout Australia and acknowledges their continuing connection to land, water and community.

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