Andrew Clennell, host: Joining me live, Trade and Tourism Minister, Don Farrell. I didn't think I would be talking to you about this, but I'm talking to you about David Littleproud. What do you think?
Minister for Trade and Tourism, Don Farrell: Look, it was a surprise. Obviously, all of the things that have occurred since the election have taken their toll, and I wish him well, and I'll be interested to see who now takes over the National Party. It's interesting that this is all happening 10 days out from the state election in South Australia and a couple of months out from the Farrer by-election.
Host: You seem to be smiling.
Minister Farrell: Look, I'm just a happy sort of guy being on your show, Andrew. It's always such a pleasure to be here.
Host: Well, you're in the minority there. Do you think he's the best Nationals leader since Black Jack McEwen, Don Farrell?
Minister Farrell: Andrew, my mum used to have a saying. She used to say, "self-praise was no recommendation". That might have been the appropriate cause of action today.
Host: I actually feel embarrassed for him. Michael McCormack as leader; what would that be like?
Minister Farrell: Look, interestingly, I spent a little bit of time with Michael last year. We represented the Australian Government and the Australian people at the funeral of Pope Francis. So, I've spent some time with him. Look, this will be a matter for the National Party but to be honest with you, Andrew, I think the Australian democracy works best, the Westminster system works best when there's a good government, as there is with the Albanese government, and an effective opposition and I think the sooner the Coalition gets their act together then the better for the country.
Host: Doesn't look like happening soon. What do you make of this Donald Trump phone call with Anthony Albanese? It's lucky the PM's not a light – or is a light sleeper.
Minister Farrell: Well, look, it was good that they had the conversation. I think there was obviously some confusion on the part of President Trump as to what was going on with the issue of asylum of these five very brave young Iranian women. I think Tony Burke has done a terrific job here. He's done it all behind the scenes, has acted in response to these very reasonable requests for asylum from these five young Iranian women, and I think it's a good outcome for the country.
Host: Did the government initiate this? Did you offer to take them in?
Minister Farrell: Look, you'd have to ask Tony the specifics of that. But as I understand it, we became aware that these women, five of them, wanted to apply for asylum, and we gave them the best opportunity to be able to do that.
Host: Do you think we'll end up providing military assistance in the war to the US as well as the UAE?
Minister Farrell: No, I don't think that, Andrew. Our commitment has been pretty clear and straightforward. We have established a very good relationship with the United Arab Emirates. You'll recall many of our conversations about the free trade agreement that we've just implemented with the UAE; they're an important trading partner for us. They've asked for some support to defend themselves from the completely unjustified attacks by the Iranian regime. We are there in a defensive capacity. The Wedgetail will give advance knowledge about any rockets or drones that might be fired at UAE, and remember this, Andrew, there are 25,000 Australians living in the UAE right at the moment. So, we're not just protecting UAE citizens, we are protecting our own citizens, and of course, we're providing some missiles to help out.
Host: What's the update in terms of getting the Australians out?
Minister Farrell: Look, my understanding is this, Andrew, that all of those people that had been stuck in either Abu Dhabi, Dubai or Qatar, by and large, most of those people have got out. So the people who are still there have made a decision to stay there. We are recommending that it is a dangerous place to stay and they should come home. But that's a decision that those individual citizens are going to have to make.
Host: How close are we to the EU trade deal? The PM spoke, I think, Saturday night to Ursula von der Leyen; could her visit here to sign it be delayed because of the war?
Minister Farrell: Look, I think will be up to the Prime Minister to announce in due course whether President von der Leyen is coming to Australia. As I think I reported on your show a couple of weeks ago, we've made more progress in the last few weeks than we have made in the past 25 years. We're very close, but there are a couple of outstanding issues that still have to be resolved, and I had hoped to work with my counterpart this week to try and finalise that. That may not happen because of all the troubles in the Middle East, but I'm still very confident, Andrew, that it's in both of our interests and the interests of the Europeans to finalise an agreement as quickly as possible.
Host: How worried are you about petrol supply and petrol prices at the moment?
Minister Farrell: Look, I think Chris Bowen has answered this very clearly today. We do have sufficient petrol, diesel, airline fuel. But obviously, there's been a disruption to the supply, the supply chain. I suppose our message and the message of Minister Bowen is, look, we don't want to panic about this. We do have ample supplies, and the government is working very closely with industry to sort these issues out.
Host: Do you think and hope it will be a short war?
Minister Farrell: I do. I hope all wars are short. I was asked a question in the Parliament earlier today, and the suggestion from the Greens, Senator Shoebridge, was we were a party of war; in fact, no, we're not, we're a party of peace. That's why we are defending the United Arab Emirates, and we are hopeful that this war ends as soon as it possibly can.
Host: Trade Minister Don Farrell, thanks so much for your time.
Minister Farrell: Thanks Andrew.