Subjects: National Party leadership vote, Coalition split
E&OE
Ross SOLLY
I want to go to Michael McCormack because he’s about to step into a National Party meeting where they are going to vote on the leadership. Of course he’s the Nationals Member for Riverina. Michael McCormack, thanks for giving us some time before you pop into the meeting.
Michael McCORMACK
No, the meeting is at 2:00, Ross. I am about to step into the doorway of the Press Gallery. I know there’s a bevy of camera cameras waiting for me.
Ross SOLLY
They all want to know your thoughts on this. Well, thank you, Michael McCormack. They all want to know your thoughts, on the leadership. First of all, will it just be David Littleproud and Colin Boyce will put their hands up? Do you expect somebody else might also throw their hat in the ring?
Michael McCORMACK
Yeah, look I believe so. But I think what Colin Boyce was indicating yesterday that he did it to perhaps smoke somebody else out. But look remains to be seen. I mean these leadership spills and speculations sometimes take a life of their own. So I believe it will be just David and Colin. But at the end of the day, you just never know. It is politics.
Ross SOLLY
You’ve not thought about it yourself? You’ve been there before.
Michael McCORMACK
I’ve been there before. But it’s not going to happen this afternoon. Certainly not. And, I just think we need to stabilise, get back with the Liberal Party. Let a bit of discipline and cool heads prevail. A bit of diplomacy. David, should he obviously be the leader continuing this afternoon, needs to get back with the Liberal Party leader. And that will be, I think, Sussan Ley going forward. But that is entirely a matter for the Liberal Party. It doesn’t seem that there’s going to be a move on in the Liberal Party next week, but who would know? And I just think we need to reunify the parties as soon as possible and start talking about the things that matter. Not so.
Ross SOLLY
Well, Colin Boyce seemed to suggest that what he was suggesting that while David Littleproud is the leader, that there can be no smoking of the peace pipe. Is he right?
Michael McCORMACK
I don’t believe so, because I think you can always put your differences aside. And the fact is, you sort of must. Because if you don’t, then things just bubble along and it’s not good. And people out there, they expect better. They expect us to be addressing the higher rent, which are a problem. Tomorrow there’s another interest rate decision. And people are already paying $21,000 more on their mortgage interest than they were under the previous government. There are crumbling roads in regional areas, so there’s a whole host of issues that we need to be addressing. And while we’re talking about ourselves, it looks as though we’re not.
Ross SOLLY
But if anything, I mean, you’ve had your own frustrations with David Littleproud leadership. Is he on notice now? Is Colin Boyce sort of put him on notice? It might not be successful today, but is there a message here for David Littleproud to be honest?
Michael McCORMACK
Ross, I think you’re always on notice when you’re the leader and every day is a new challenge. Every day, you have to set the bar high and try to achieve what is expected of you, not just by your colleagues, but indeed by the voting public and by those people who vote for you and quite frankly, those people who do not vote for you and never would vote for you. You need to be there for them.
Ross SOLLY
But it’s fair to say that I don’t know that David Littleproud was expecting the blowback that he’s got. I mean, he’s been roundly condemned by a lot of people for splitting The Coalition and for being a little bit heavy handed with this. Do you agree with that criticism?
Michael McCORMACK
Well, it’s all a bit a little bit untidy. But then so is the whole week. We were expected to vote on legislation and only got 99 minutes to vote on the hate speech legislation and an hour and a quarter to vote on the gun reform. That’s nation changing legislation.
Ross SOLLY
But splitting The Coalition is I mean, we can all agree, a big step.
Michael McCORMACK
It was an unnecessary step. That was an unnecessary step.
Ross SOLLY
What do you think of the chances of getting back together?
Michael McCORMACK
I think they’re good. I think they’re strong. But cool heads need to prevail.
Ross SOLLY
You mentioned that you think Sussan Ley won’t be challenged this week. But it does seem that she is also on notice. You’ve worked with Angus Taylor for some time. Do you think he would make a good leader? And do you think the Nats would be more comfortable working with Angus Taylor than with Sussan Ley?
Michael McCORMACK
The Liberal Party leadership is entirely a matter for the Liberal Party. I’ve worked well with Angus; I’ve worked well with Susan. Quite frankly, I’ve worked well with Andrew Hastie. But again, the Liberals decide who their leader is. I don’t think Sussan has had the clear air that she deserves. She’s the first female leader that the Liberal Party has ever had. I don’t think certain sections of the media and certain sections of her own party have allowed her the opportunity to thrive and to flourish.
Ross SOLLY
Your own party hasn’t either though, Michael McCormack.
Michael McCORMACK
I don’t disagree with that. I don’t disagree with that, but I think she needs to be given that opportunity. But again, whilst I work well with Angus, he’s a neighbouring parliamentarian, as is Sussan, I just think the Liberals will decide who the who they think is best placed to lead them into the future.
Ross SOLLY
Final question for you. How much support do you think Colin Boyce will get today? And if there are any votes in support of Colin Boyce, would that be a worry for the future of David Littleproud leadership?
Michael McCORMACK
Well, our vote isn’t disclosed to the media or the general public.
Ross SOLLY
It’ll come out. It will come out though, Michael.
Michael McCORMACK
It sometimes, often doesn’t. But look that remains to be seen that there may will be some supporters for Colin, that they may well be some supporters who they voted for him just to let the leader know that that a different pathway is needed.
Ross SOLLY
Would you be one of those?
Michael McCORMACK
Look, I said I’d support the leader. I support the leader.
Ross SOLLY
So you’ll vote for David Littleproud this afternoon.
Michael McCORMACK
I said I support the leader. I support the leader.
Ross SOLLY
Michael, I’m going to let you go. You’re all set. Good to chat with you.
Michael McCORMACK
Thanks. Bye.
Ross SOLLY
Michael McCormack, who is the Nationals Member for Riverina.
ENDS