Interview, Channel Nine - Today Show
Topics: Sticking to the National Plan; COVID-19 testing; Entry requirements for Queensland; The Ashes; Vinyl records; Mullets; Throwbacks
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CHARLES CROUCHER:
Australia's health leaders are, this morning, considering a major overhaul of the country's isolation rules, which could see asymptomatic patients freed in just five days. For more, we're joined by the Minister for Employment, Stuart Robert, and writer for The Guardian, Van Badham. Good morning to you both. Stuart, we'll begin with you by virtue of your seat at the Cabinet table. Is Australia ready for such a big change?
STUART ROBERT:
Well, we must be getting close to Phase D of the national plan now, Charles. Phase C of course with the vaccination rates nice and high, the nation at 90 per cent vaccinated now, we'll be moving towards Phase D, the final phase, of the national plan. And that'll be decisions that the National Cabinet will make together. But it just goes to show how well the nation's doing, how strong our vaccination rates are, that these conversations are now being had.
CHARLES CROUCHER:
Van, is it too late to have these conversations? Given the situation we're in at the moment?
VAN BADHAM:
It feels a bit late to be having these conversations, especially as we know that high vaccination rates are about the double dose - it's not about the booster shot. And we know people are vulnerable if they've only had the two shots. This is leaving aside the 10 per cent of Australians who aren't vaccinated for whatever reason - a lot of them because they do have legitimate medical issues with the vaccination. That is an enormous number of Australians to expose to the virus.
And quite frankly, like, we've been in this situation for two years now. Like, it's all very well to have a plan but it'd be nice to see some action. I, for one, don't understand why - when we know that Omicron is exploding, when we know that the relaxation of restrictions meant that the virus got out into the community - why things like rapid antigen tests aren't being made free and universally available. And why the Government, maybe, didn't consider making them part of the plan before the crisis hit.
CHARLES CROUCHER:
Well, let, let's go to that - rapid antigen tests. We know that there is a, an abundance of people needing tests. Minister, is it time to see the Federal Government step in and make these rapid antigen tests available, as they are in the UK and as President Biden is trying to make them available in the United States?
STUART ROBERT:
Well, let's not forget that the principal health care committee, the AHPPC, has not recommended testing for interstate tourism travellers. And the health, or the Chief Health Officer has actually come out to make the point that it's clogging up the system for legitimate uses. Now, at the same time, the principal health committee is providing advice back to the National Cabinet about these matters, so we should wait for that advice to come back again.
But right now the, the medical advice says we shouldn't be testing for interstate travellers, which is what the problem is, especially here in Queensland. And of course we saw the Queensland Premier yesterday roll back on that Day 5 testing regime, which is pleasing to see.
CHARLES CROUCHER:
So you're putting this firmly in the basket of Annastacia Palaszczuk this morning?
STUART ROBERT:
No. I'm put it in the basket of health advice. We should actually follow the health advice. We've spent two years following the health advice, and the nation has done better than most other nations on earth - in its health response; in its vaccine response; and of course, in our economic response. And as the Employment Minister, more Australians now in work than pre-COVID, I think one of only a number of countries in the world that can claim that. All because we've followed the health advice.
We're waiting for further health advice on testing regimes, that's coming through to the National Cabinet. But the health advice now says we should not be testing for interstate tourism travellers.
CHARLES CROUCHER:
Van, this is what is happening, though. We are testing for that interstate tourism traveller. So who's to blame?
VAN BADHAM:
Everybody is trying to keep the virus under control. Everybody has taken health advice over the past two years to stay at home; to restrict their movement; and the overwhelming majority of Australians have done that. But the virus is now out in the community. It's one thing to talk about tourists, but we are talking about families.
And my family had one of our worst Christmases ever because my cousin, who's a tradie, spent five days waiting for a test. The testing system is not holding. It's one thing to say: we're following the health advice. It's another thing to actually get it in a timely manner so families and working people can take action on that.
Like, there are a lot of Australians who want to go to work, but who don't want to expose their workplaces and their work mates to the infection if they have it. And while testing is lagging - and it is, like, we can't pretend that's not happening - this is a major health crisis. Not only for the people who are vaccinated - and there still can be breakthrough infections - but like I said, for that massive population of people who aren't unvaccinated.
The testing schedule is not working. We are behind. Speak to any of the families who spent days and days over Christmas waiting for results. That's not action being taken. That's a delay that's causing enormous problems to workplaces and family.
CHARLES CROUCHER:
Yeah. I think we'd like to see everyone get back to work, and back to travelling, and back to life as it was, perhaps, pre-March 2020.
There is something that we can all relate to that makes us feel safe again. Four days ago, the name of Scott Boland was unheard of to most Australians. Now he's a household name because he's claimed six wickets for seven runs and Australia is back as Ashes champions again. Now, that feels like pre-March 2020 gear for all of us. Van, the 32-year-old became the oldest fastest bowler to make their debut for Australia in more than 70 years. He is living proof that age really is just a number.
VAN BADHAM:
It was amazing, wasn't it? And I just think some really good news. Like, it's been such a hard few months for all of us. And of course, the Australian cricket team, it's not been a great few years, frankly. Like, it's been- there's been a lot of drama, and I just love it when the drama is actually on the pitch. And what an amazing, amazing debut.
CHARLES CROUCHER:
And, Stuart, a dominant performance for the Australians. Did you see much of it up there on the, the Gold Coast?
STUART ROBERT:
Absolutely. Who would've thought that the third test would finish before the Sydney-to-Hobart race. Just extraordinary. And six for seven off four overs, I mean, you'd take that straight to the pool room. That is about as Australian as it gets in terms of your, your first run out in the pitch for a test cap. I mean, extraordinary stuff.
CHARLES CROUCHER:
We're seeing remarkable pictures of his family in the stands celebrating - his mum crying. It was great stuff.
Look, finally this morning, forget Apple Music and Spotify. Australians are turning back the tables to turn tables. Vinyls, right now, hot property for those seeking out the latest tunes - not just the hits from the 70's - with music fans pushing the industry to make more ecofriendly records. Van, do you like the sound of a vinyl?
VAN BADHAM:
I do. And I also have such wonderful memories of going through my parent's record collection as a kid, and going through those great big covers, and just being delighted by the cover art. It was a complete experience. Like, these beautiful covers and this incredible music.
But, there is an environmental challenge there. And I just think it's- I reckon it's going to be pretty soon that some enterprising person is going to come up with a sustainable vinyl - and that will be a wonderful, wonderful day.
CHARLES CROUCHER:
Australia's next manufacturing opportunity there. Stuart, what was your favourite record back in the day?
STUART ROBERT:
I'm haunted by The Radiators and The Dragons, and The Angels. Vinyls - I just think of stuffing around, putting them on, and finding there's always scratches. Look, Apple Music, it, it rocks the world any day of the week. If we bring vinyls back, what comes next? Mullets? I mean, it's un-Australian, Charles. We should stop it.
VAN BADHAM:
They're already back, Stuart.
CHARLES CROUCHER:
Yeah. I feel like mullets might be back.
STUART ROBERT:
[Laughs] I know.
VAN BADHAM:
I don't know if you've hung out with any teenagers recently but they've all got them.
STUART ROBERT:
Did you watch the AFL, the AFL Grand Final?
CHARLES CROUCHER:
Yeah.
STUART ROBERT:
I mean, every second player had a mullet. It was extraordinary.
CHARLES CROUCHER:
Thankfully for everyone, the shorts are a little bit longer than in the 80's. But we love a throwback here at the Today Show - be it vinyls, the black satin tops, perhaps, looking very schmick. That is our own Van Badham there from throwback days.
VAN BADHAM:
Do you love my dodgy hair? Yeah, that was in New York.
CHARLES CROUCHER:
[Talks over] It's, it's really nice.
VAN BADHAM:
And, can I say, that was quite a party.
CHARLES CROUCHER:
Well, I am glad you came back for more afterwards.
STUART ROBERT:
Frizzy Van hair?
VAN BADHAM:
It is, it is literally amazing I did survive that party to be perfectly honest. In my wild 20's. But, is that hair coming back? Maybe. I once said I would never be blond again, and yet here we are. Coronavirus, isolation did a lot of things to people. [Laughs]
CHARLES CROUCHER:
It's what goes around, comes around. But you definitely have some competition here, because we have the Minister who looks dashing there in his own uniform. That pictures from 1988 - those were the days, Stuart.
STUART ROBERT:
Well, it was. That's when I was at Military Academy, marching up and down the square while Van was partying in New York.
[Laughter]
STUART ROBERT:
I think there, there's some injustice here somehow.
VAN BADHAM:
Yeah. I have a strong suspicion I probably had a better time. But, you know, to each to their own, Stuart.
CHARLES CROUCHER:
Exactly. That's a new year's resolution.
STUART ROBERT:
Indeed. But there should be a warning with Van's hair - kids, don't do that at home.
CHARLES CROUCHER:
It's a good rule for-
VAN BADHAM:
[Interrupts] No, pay a professional. Keep an Australian hairdresser in work. They're highly unionised these days.
CHARLES CROUCHER:
Yeah. They do alright. Van, Stuart, we thank you for your time this morning. Have an excellent New Yeah and we look forward to speaking to you again in 2022.
VAN BADHAM:
Happy New Year, darling. Have a great one.
STUART ROBERT:
Cheers.
CHARLES CROUCHER:
Thank you both.
[ENDS]