Alex Thomas, Host: Let's speak to Assistant Minister for Immigration and Foreign Affairs and Trade, Matt Thistlethwaite now. Matt I'll get to the domestic policies in just a moment. Let's just start with that overseas news that we've been leading with here on Sky News earlier this morning. Donald Trump at the G7 trying to sell the deal he's done with Iran, something we have spoken about many times. Do you think it matters that the deal has got done more than necessarily the detail, because we're going to have open trade routes and at least some easing of that cost of oil and goods.
Matt Thistlethwaite, Assistant Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade: Good morning, Alex. Well, both matter. It's important that the deal has been put in place, a ceasefire and obviously that will hopefully reduce tension and conflict in the region, reopen the Strait of Hormuz, which is really important for Australia's economy and other economies. But the details matter as well because they ensure that the deal holds. So, we're all waiting on the details being outlined in the document that will be signed between the parties. But it's really important. It's resulted in Australia lowering its Smartravel travel advisory to the region today. We've lowered it from level four, which is do not travel, to level three, which is reconsider the need to travel to the region. Basically, that means that you still shouldn't go to the area if you’re going to tour or you're a tourist. That travel should be only essential and follow the guidelines and the measures that are put in place by local authorities. But it reflects the fact that that deal has been done, that there's a ceasefire in place and that the tension has been reduced in the region.
Thomas: What else will you be keeping your eye on as far as that G7 summit is concerned? They seem to be focusing a lot on now, turning attention to putting pressure on Russia to end its military action against Ukraine.
Assistant Minister: Yeah, well, obviously the focus has been on the Middle East for obvious reasons, but we need to remember that there's been an ongoing conflict in Ukraine for years now and that's obviously put pressure on the international economy as well, particularly energy prices. But more importantly, it's resulted in the needless death of many, many Ukrainians and it's still an illegal and immoral invasion under international law. And Australia’s stood firm with Ukraine because we believe that there's a principle at stake here and that is the territorial integrity of a sovereign nation. If Russia is able to get away with this illegal invasion, then any country and their territory is at stake. So, we believe that this is an important principle that Australia is backing Ukraine, we’ll continue to back Ukraine and Russia should heed the calls of the international community and the pressure that is coming from the United States to end and withdraw their illegal immoral invasion.
Thomas: Some interesting findings out of the latest Sky News pulse poll. The majority of voters now believing One Nation isn't just more popular than the current Government or Coalition, but voters feel they're ready to govern now or even by the next election. Do you believe that?
Assistant Minister: I don't think that they are ready to govern. I think those polls are reflecting the fact that many Australian households are under enormous financial stress. And we know that. That's why we've acted to try and help relieve some of that pressure and to change the system. I think that many Australians are rebelling against the current taxation system and the system of housing because it's put so much pressure on them and they feel that no matter how hard they work, they simply can't get ahead. And that's why we're changing the system. We're reforming negative gearing and capital gains tax, we're reforming the taxation of trusts to really balance the system in favour of workers. And the ironic thing, Alex, is that it's the Coalition and One Nation that are actually defending the system that is broken and the one that the Australian working public are rebelling against. So, it's Labor that’s heard what they've had to say and is acting. It's the Coalition and One Nation that's continuing to protect the status quo.
Thomas: I guess One Nation's really separating itself from the other major traditional parties. Isn't there one policy in particular that's caught the eye is Pauline Hanson’s suggestion that the ABC should be defunded and turned into a subscription model. What do you make of that as a policy?
Assistant Minister: Well, no offence to Sky, but the ABC is still Australian's most trusted news source and that's continually been the case. Obviously, it's a very important part of Australian democracy to have a properly funded and well resourced public broadcaster, because the ABC ensures that Australia promotes its diversity, its different views, and it has a platform of complete objectivity. And that's what we want, particularly from our news media. That's what we want from a national broadcaster. The ABC is also very important, Alex, because it tells the stories of Australia that may not otherwise be funded on commercial networks. So, children's television is really, really important. And that's where you get Bluey and great Australian exports such as that. Australian drama is very, very important. And you get a lot of Australian drama for TV that's produced through the ABC that might not be commercially viable on the other networks. So, the ABC is very important for our democracy.
Thomas: Okay. Matt Thistlethwaite, as ever, appreciate your time on Sky News this morning. Many thanks.
Assistant Minister: Thanks