Leader of the Opposition – Transcript – Interview with John Laws CBE, Radio 2SM

Subjects: Reflecting on John Laws’ incredible 70 years on radio.

E&OE

JOHN LAWS:

I’ve got the Opposition Leader on the line, and no man keeps the Federal Opposition Leader waiting, so they tell me.

Have we got you there, Peter Dutton?

Good morning John. How are you?

I’m very well. What about you?

I’m very well, thank you mate. It’s a great pleasure to have a chat with you on your amazing career and 70th anniversary, mate. I just wanted to ring in and say congratulations.

That’s very nice of you. It’s a long time, isn’t it?

It’s an incredibly long time, but our country’s been the beneficiary, mate. I say that in all sincerity. I think you’ve been part of major debates and you’ve influenced government decisions and Prime Ministers over a long period of time. It’s been an incredible career.

Whilst I haven’t listened for the entire 70 years – I’m only 53, although I look much older – I think I’ve probably listened for the last 40 years – maybe begrudgingly when I was a young kid in the car with my parents, but then a very willing lister for many, many years.

I want to say thank you very much for the pleasure that you’ve given many of us as listeners over a long period of time.

Now, Peter, after the next election, do you think you might become the 17th Prime Minister that I’ve interviewed?

Well, I will commit to it now, John, but I’ve got a little bit of work to do between now and then. I’d be honoured to be interviewed by you.

I’ve heard many interviews you’ve conducted with Prime Ministers over the years and other politicians, so I’m sure it’ll be a tough interview, but I commit to it in advance. Yes, I’d be very happy to.

Well, that’s wonderful. That’s nice to know that.

Peter, are you happy in what you’re doing?

Mate, I am. I mean Opposition’s never a happy space because it’s like going broke and you hand the keys back to the business and then you want to try and amass your fortune over the next three years and buy the business back; but it’s a cycle, it’s a time to reconsider policy, to work with stakeholders and listen to the issues that are important – forget about the bureaucrats and listen to real people as you move around the country.

I’ve had the opportunity to do that and I intend to continue on doing it because I think you then come up with the best policies that give you the best chance of election, but more importantly, of leading the country in the right direction.

What’s the matter with Australia?

I think at the moment, to be honest, I think we’ve got some complacency. I think we’ve lived in the best country in the world and we’ve had cheaper interest rates, we’ve had lots of jobs, industries have grown and we haven’t had many real problems to deal with compared to many other parts of the world.

I think in that environment, you can forget the lessons of history or the lessons that your grandparents told you about drought or flood or war or famine or feast. I think we need to remind ourselves that to continue to be the best country in the world, we have to live within our means, we need to make tough decisions, we need to stand up for our values and what we believe in. I think it’s a constant reminder to be able to do that.

I think you are quite right. I’ve enjoyed talking to you, Peter, and I wish you well in whatever you do. I trust you, and I know that Australia trusts you. So, good luck in whatever you do.

PETER DUTTON:

Thank you, John.

Can I just finish on this note, mate: one of the great pleasures you’ve given us as listeners over the years was to hear of your love for your beautiful Caroline, the love that you have for your family and your kids. I think we all grew up hearing stories of your children and grandchildren and the love of your beautiful wife. I know she’d be incredibly proud of what you’ve achieved, and particularly today with 70 years.

But I think I talk on behalf of many of Australians and I’m sure all of your listeners to wish you the very best of health and fortune and good luck into the future.

Peter, thank you very, very much.

Peter, I hope we can have a lunch one day. I’d love to talk to you about other matters.

I look forward to it, mate. That’d be very nice. Thank you.

Okay Peter, thank you very much.

Peter Dutton, the Federal Opposition Leader – extremely nice man.

[ends]