Proposed gas reservation scheme 'step in right direction', Duniam says

0:00The opposition says it's looking at the government's proposed national gas reservation scheme, which Labor has re-jigged after consultation. Separately, the coalition says it can't support draft laws that would establish a digital gDF care, which the government says would let Australians opt in or out of algorithms used to push social media content. John O'Donium is the shadow minister for home affairs and the shadow minister for immigration and joins me now. John O'Donium, welcome back. Good morning, Salah. Good to be with you. Let's start with gas. The government has changed its proposed scheme. So instead of requiring gas exporters to reserve 20% of their exports to supply the domestic market, companies will be required to reserve up to 20%. Is that a sensible change? Well, we think that it is a step in the right direction. Obviously, there have been a range of consultations that have occurred with the sector, but also

1:01internally. As an opposition, we're very keen to make sure that we get the right outcome for Australians for both households and industry as well. And so we are very keen to work with the government on ensuring that the final product that passes through the parliament does meet the needs of the community. And that does include, as I say, the investment community as well, because it does take private capital to get these projects off the ground to have exploration occur and to keep this market ticking over. So we'll keep working with the government to make sure, as I say, the end outcome is what meets the community's needs. The coalition says it needs the government's gas reservation scheme to include a clear plan to demonstrate greater future gas investment. Broadly, what do you think, or you expect that would look like? Well, I think that, obviously, we've been very clear about approval's processes for a start in this country. There is work that needs to be done there, but I can tell you now there are representatives of companies, as you would expect.

2:03And of course, foreign governments who are very keen to engage with Australia about how we can ensure that we do have continued and expanding production here. It is a massive economic driver, not just here in Australia, but as a source of energy for other countries as well. And so to that end, we do need to ensure that there is a workflow, a plan that does indicate where we're going to have growth and giving certainty to that sector. There are thousands of jobs attached to it, and as I say, it is an economic driver for this country. So they have a long-term plan around how we can not just sustain the current levels, but see growth into the future, I think is important. The digital duty of care, the opposition won't support the government's draft duty of care legislation. Considered in isolation, is the proposal to ensure that Australians can choose whether to opt in or out of social media algorithms? Is that a good one? Well, look, that one, my colleagues, of course, are going through the fine detail of this.

3:04The problem is these things can't be considered in isolation. And as discussed by Sarah Henderson, Matt Canavan, and Angus Taylor yesterday, the powers and lack of guardrails around the powers the minister has when setting at their discretion what might constitute serious harm, for example, are where the problems lie for us. There are too many unknowns around this framework legislation. In terms of opt-in, opt-out, well, you know, it is something that is definitely worth considering, but the problem is it isn't a standalone proposition. And nor is there enough when it comes to empowering parents otherwise, with other tools available to large organisations now. And Sarah Henderson has been talking about this for a long time. The capacity for a large organisation to manage what is consumed on a device it provides to an employee, for example. Why don't we provide that to parents as well? That's the kind of thing we should be looking at. But there are a lot of forms in this legislation. As stated, the coalition can't support it in its current form.

4:06And we'll see if the government comes back to Sarah Henderson and my colleagues to see if there's a pathway forward. Just on a separate issue regarding Andrew Hastie, your coalition colleague, and the One Nation cartoons, which are referred to him as a traitor. How strongly does the coalition have Andrew Hastie's back as this dispute with One Nation continues? Well, we have our colleagues back. Andrew's a made a mind, but more importantly, he's actually someone who made a choice to stand up for his country. Go on five for his country. For the values we share as a country around democracy and freedom and rule of law. That's why he went to serve in Afghanistan as a special air services member. For One Nation, for Paul Enhancin, to call the person who happens to be a traitor, in one of her pathetic cartoons, and then claim it's not an issue, how can you say you stand with their presence? How can you say as a political party that you're actually pro-Australia when you're making

5:10these sorts of clips about people who've taken a risk with their life to defend what we believe to be right? So we have his back. We will stand with him. And if Paul Enhancin thinks it's okay to call a former serviceman traitor, just because he might disagree with the on things or you don't like him personally. Who knows what a real motivation is? Ben, she's the one who can own it and explain it. That's up to her. She wants to lead this country. Well, then start telling us why you do some of the silly things you do. Just very briefly on immigration policy. Have you seen any willingness on the part of the government to take on any aspect of what the coalition is asking for on immigration? I think the government have realised that the migration system is not working as intended. The numbers, of course, are one indicator and some of the issues around the administrative review tribunal overturning decisions to cancel visas is another indicator. So certainly, as can be publicly viewed, the government clearly are intending to do something.

6:11That's why we wrote to the government to say, are you going to have to pass laws to fix this broken system? Here are some ideas we have. So I have spoken with Tony Burke and Angus has spoken with the Prime Minister. We are keen to ensure that there is a good outcome, but we've laid down those issues and hopefully there is some movement. John O'Donnell, thank you. Thanks, I think.