E&OE TRANSCRIPT
Topics: Laos methanol poisoning investigation; Rugby League in Las Vegas; Academy Awards.
CHARLES CROUCHER, HOST: Welcome back. The parents of Holly Bowles and Bianca Jones, who died of methanol poisoning in Laos, are urging travellers to boycott the country until it adequately investigates their daughter’s deaths. Joining us to discuss is Minister for Social Services Amanda Rishworth and Nationals Senator Bridget McKenzie. Good morning to you both. Amanda, I'm going to start with you. There are concerns that are boycott might discourage authorities there from doing the right thing by these families. How do we approach this?
AMANDA RISHWORTH, MINISTER FOR SOCIAL SERVICES: Firstly, I would say the Australian Government continues to stand with Holly and Bianca's family and continues to of course press the Laos Government to fully and transparently investigate these circumstances. Of course, there are warnings on Smartraveller which is an important government resource to look at the risks. But we as a Government will continue to press for a full investigation because it is really important that any issues that emerge from that are addressed to make sure travellers are safe.
CHARLES CROUCHER: I guess the issue is, is there something more the Government can be doing if the parents are now encouraging travellers to do the lobbying for them?
AMANDA RISHWORTH: We have continued on an ongoing basis to have conversations and to continue to press the Laos Government and we will continue to do that. We've been providing consular support to Bianca’s and Holly’s families. We will continue to do everything we can as a Government to push this. But it's important people are properly informed when they do travel overseas about what the risks are.
CHARLES CROUCHER: Bridget, can we be doing more?
BRIDGET MCKENZIE, NATIONALS SENATOR: Well, I think the Government's outlined that it's pursuing every diplomatic measure it can. It's an absolute tragedy what happened to Holly and Bianca. We don't want any other young Australians who go overseas for a great holiday to suffer the same fate. So, we need to be pushing for a full investigation so that the issues can be made clear. And you know, we back the Government all the way in their efforts to do that.
CHARLES CROUCHER: And we stay with the parents because it's such a tough situation they've been in, and we've been sort of amazed at how brave they've been in speaking out as well. Well, we're going to move on because the NRL's Vegas gamble well and truly paid off. It reached, we're told, an audience that was unprecedented and generated more than $100 million. Now the attention turns to the AFL which weather permitting, will kick off on Thursday. Bridget, you're a Senator from Victoria. It's the AFL home state. Are they getting beaten when it comes to launching the season by the people from up north.
BRIDGET MCKENZIE: Look, we know that NRL is a spectator sport that had the most successful seat opening since 2010. And I think what really resonated with the US was no helmets, no pads, all action, no timeout. And I mean, when you compare that to the NFL, the US rocked up in droves to actually see the NRL live. Obviously, Charles, I am from Victoria. We've got the G and we pack it out week in, week out to watch our great game. So, you know, I think it's the difference between the two sports. One is, you know, best live and the other is building that, you know, a sustainable funding base going forward. Because we know if the NRL gets 1 per cent of the US market, it'll be sustaining funding for them going forward, which is also good news in decades to come.
CHARLES CROUCHER: A great TV product, of course, and it's on Nine as well, which shows. Amanda, Gather Round [AFL] is in South Australia. Never ruined that with an election on the same weekend, obviously. But should the AFL be doing more to make this round the number one?
AMANDA RISHWORTH: Well, you know, the Gather Round is an absolutely amazing round, I have to say. It brings a buzz not just to South Australia but to footy fans, to be all in the same place. I think the AFL has been looking at how they engage their audiences and I would say that Gather Round is a great example of that and will continue to do so. But congratulations to the NRL. And hopefully we'll start seeing people in America wearing those NRL colours. But of course, I would like to see everyone in America wearing some AFL colours as well. And I think we can all work towards that.
CHARLES CROUCHER: All right, finally, from Conan O'Brien's opening monologue to Anora's sweeping success, the Oscars delivered a host of memorable moments. We're sort of short on time, so I might even just go with a hands up approach here. But did anyone tune in and has anyone seen any of the movies that are nominated this year?
BRIDGET MCKENZIE: Too busy fighting Labor.
AMANDA RISHWORTH: I’ve seen Wicked.
BRIDGET MCKENZIE: Charles, I'm halfway through Conclave on a flight.
CHARLES CROUCHER: That's probably the way you're going to do it. And Amanda's seen Wicked. So that's a good sign of the way things are going for Conclave and Wicked - two brutal fights of political natures. And that shapes well for whatever's to come in the next couple of weeks. Really lovely speaking to both you this morning.