E&OE TRANSCRIPT
SUBJECTS: Bill Shorten’s political legacy; Clementine Shorten potential political career; best of Bill Shorten’s Today Show segments.
KARL STEFANOVIC, HOST: Well, he's been a fixture of Australian politics for nearly 20 years. And this morning, Bill Shorten is preparing for his retirement from Parliament. Bill and his daughter Clementine join us now live in Canberra, ahead of Bill's valedictory speech in Parliament this afternoon. G'day, guys. Nice to see you this morning.
BILL SHORTEN, MINISTER FOR THE NDIS, AND GOVERNMENT SERVICES: Karl.
STEFANOVIC: [laughs] Karl!
CLEMENTINE SHORTEN: Hi.
STEFANOVIC: How you feeling, Billy?
SHORTEN: Mixed feelings. I'm really excited about going to work at the University of Canberra, but I love my day job. I adore my electorate of Maribyrnong and looking after people with disability. And everyone who uses Centrelink and Medicare, that's a privilege too. So, mixed feelings, but I'm excited.
STEFANOVIC: Thank God, Clementine, you take after your mum. I mean. I mean, it's just. It's just. It's just a miracle. Hey, how are you feeling? I mean, you spoke on behalf of your mum yesterday, Clem. It was really beautiful words. Are you proud of that?
CLEMENTINE SHORTEN: 100%.
STEFANOVIC: Tell me about that.
CLEMENTINE SHORTEN: Well, my dad, my biggest inspiration, he's like my twin, but I'm speaking tonight at his valedictory party and I'm playing a song and making a speech, and so that should be exciting. Or yesterday's speech. Is that what you want me to talk about?
STEFANOVIC: No, no, I just want. What song are you going to play? Can you tell us?
CLEMENTINE SHORTEN: I'm playing- I was gonna play “My Way”, but my mum didn't really want me to. But I'm playing and singing what “A Wonderful World”.
STEFANOVIC: Ohhh, yeah, That's a beautiful song. Yeah. And it is a wonderful world. Politics isn't such a wonderful world. Have you ever thought of going into politics, Clem? And what would you- what do you think's needed?
CLEMENTINE SHORTEN: Karl, I've been in politics since I was born! I haven't missed an event, a campaign trail since before I was one. But maybe. If I did go into politics, I'd make a Minister for Children.
STEFANOVIC: Oh, that's a good idea.
CLEMENTINE SHORTEN: We've got a Minister- we've got Ministers for fishing. We've got a Minister to look after the fish. Very important, mind you, we've got a Minister for resources to look after the rocks and the gas to protect them. But what about our most precious resource?
STEFANOVIC: Over.
CLEMENTINE SHORTEN: No, Karl, over 100 years ago. 100 years ago, exactly. Actually, the Geneva Declaration was signed and clearly states that humanity at its best owes to the child everything that it has to offer. And we really need a Minister for Children to protect kids.
STEFANOVIC: Well, well said. It's so good to see the new generation coming along and being better than their parents. I can't wait to see what you do.
SHORTEN: I'm looking forward to meeting your kids, Karl.
CLEMENTINE SHORTEN: Yeah one goes out of politics, one goes in.
SHORTEN: Yeah, that's what your kids say too, Karl.
STEFANOVIC: Never, never, never. Hey, Bill, you know you've got a lot to reflect upon and I first met you at Beaconsfield and we've had a friendship ever since. And I'm astounded at your devotion to public service. What are you most proud of?
SHORTEN: I feel really privileged to have served in three great public institutions. The Australian Workers Union, the Labor Party to lead it, and of course the Parliament and the Commonwealth of Australia. But I think the National Disability Insurance Scheme is changing lives. I know that, but for the role I had and other people, we wouldn't have it. Australia is leading the world. And that means that if you have a child who's got a non-standard developmental journey or the blink of an eye and a sporting injury, or in the surf or just through the onset of ageing, you acquire a severe disability. This is the country you want to happen in. And this is one of the reasons why we are a very, very lucky country. So, I'm very proud to be part of that.
STEFANOVIC: All right, Billy, you've become a TV star here on the Today show as well over the years. Let's just take stock right now. Clem, get ready for this. This is going to be toe talks. Let's have a look at some of your best moments.
[VIDEO CLIP STARTS]
SHORTEN: All I know about praying mantises, Karl, is there's 118 species. In ancient times they were the symbol of good luck. And they are sexual cannibals where the female after upon copulation takes out the male. But what that's got to do with Peter Dutton. I am really confused.
STEFANOVIC: Oh, listen, one in ten dogs are naked.
SHORTEN: My dog's naked all the time. Yeah, okay. Yeah, why not? Yeah, that's true. I mean, I love my dog. And my dog, he never gives up a secret. He's never-he's never ratted me out, ever. Loyalist friend I've got in politics.
STEFANOVIC: All right, Pete, you quickly.
SHORTEN: Elon Musk's had more positions on free speech than the Karma Sutra. You know, when it's in his commercial interests, he is the champion of free speech. And when he doesn't like it, he is you know he's gonna shut it all down.
SARAH ABO: Yeah, I don't know what you're talking about. Apparently the balls are a bit fluffy, but they look all right to me. They still work, Karl.
STEFANOVIC: Bill?
SHORTEN: Well, Melbourne balls are bigger.
[VIDEO ENDS]
STEFANOVIC: All right, Clem, over to you. Over to you, Clem. Kama Sutra and such things from your daddy.
CLEMENTINE SHORTEN: Well, that's a sentence that. I don't want to hear, those two things. I'm gonna need a lobotomy after this.
STEFANOVIC: [laughs] A little lie down. Hey. Hey, Bill. Congratulations. I think we're gonna talk to you tomorrow as well, but we appreciate you coming on. And, Clem, you're a superstar. Whatever you decide to do, go do it. Well done.
STEFANOVIC: Thank you.
SHORTEN: Good on you. Have a nice day.