Subjects: National Party leadership
E&OE
INTERVIEWER
Why is Matt Canavan the right person to lead the National Party going forward?
Michael McCORMACK
I think he’s going to give us a refresh. We need a reset, and I’m really looking forward to serving with him. It’s a different approach. We’ve never had a senator lead the party before, but we’re in unconventional times. Sometimes unconventional times require unconventional measures, and I think that will provide unity and the energy, everything that we need right now.
INTERVIEWER
Do you think we’ll have to change his normal MO? Because he is that firebrand.
Michael McCORMACK
He is, but I think sometimes you need that firebrand. And I think he’s just outlined exactly how he will approach the position. And the fact is, he’s got Darren Chester as a more conservative member in the Lower House. Bridgette, she can sort of bridge between both. Look, it’s going to be a new National Party, but it’s going to be at the same National Party. It’s going to be an exciting era.
INTERVIEWER
Is it really about the fight against One Nation coming? Is that one of the major things that has propelled the situation?
Michael McCORMACK
No, it’s a fight for regional Australia. It’s not a fight against One Nation. It’s not a fight against the Teals. It’s a fight for regional Australians. I’m sick of talking about ourselves, I really am. And, you know, even just walking down the corridor today and you’ve got the camera flashbulbs popping and all of this speculation. You’re getting texts from journos late at night and early in the morning. I’m sick of all that. I want to be talking about the issues that really affect regional Australia particularly, but also all Australians. They are facing a cost-of-living crisis. I know it’s hard to believe, I know it sounds trite and all the rest, but that should be our focus.
INTERVIEWER
I just wanted to ask about a the end there, why did he raise jokes?
Michael McCORMACK
I think for him, jokes rhymes with blokes. Sort of. I think people generally are sick of political correctness. I think that just a bit of humour to it. I don’t think he was I think he was sort of trying anything on. I think he’s a genuine sort of family person who loves his country, loves the flag, loves everything that everybody on that wall stands for represents, and everybody in the room wants to portray to Australians.
INTERVIEWER
And just one final comment on David going. Were you surprised? Seems like everyone was shocked.
Michael McCORMACK
I got back to my office 3:25pm for a 3:30pm meeting. I had six texts from journos. I was on the phone to one of them, and he said, “Why is this happening? And I said, “No, he is just going to do a press conference about the fuel crisis,” sort of scratching my head a bit because we had the matter of public importance debate. Kevin Hogan, I think, was on his feet. And they said, “What? With his wife?” I thought that was a bit odd. That was a bit strange.
INTERVIEWER
I think what’s been put to me, it was weird that he had to go because his leadership wasn’t under threat.
Michael McCORMACK
Yeah. It was not.
INTERVIEWER
It’s interesting, isn’t it?
Michael McCORMACK
Yes, it is, it is.
INTERVIEWER
Thank you, I appreciate your time.
ENDS