Shadow Minister for Regional Health, Shadow Minister for Regional Communications - Member for Mallee - Transcript - Interview with James Macpherson 'The Macpherson Angle' - News24 - Sunday 15 November 2026

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‍DR ANNE WEBSTER MP
SHADOW MINISTER FOR REGIONAL HEALTH
SHADOW MINISTER FOR REGIONAL COMMUNICATIONS
FEDERAL MEMBER FOR MALLEE

TOPICS: Australia co-hosting COP31 climate talks, PM and Energy Ministers' lewd comments, Labor spending, cost-of-living,  Pacific relations, fossil fuels

MacPherson
Well, joining me now is Shadow Regional Health Minister Anne Webster, Anne, good evening to you. I want to talk to you about COP31, but it's difficult to go past the conversation caught on hot mic between Albo and Bowen, do you agree with Amanda Rishworth that this is a bit of a storm and a teacup, or does that candid moment reveal something more about our political leaders?

Webster
Thank you, James. It's great to be with you, of course, and for our Prime Minister and the Minister for Energy to be caught on a hot mic is bizarre in itself because they're very experienced politicians. But to be having the primary school little boy conversation that they were having, and then to effectively dismiss it, just goes in line with the Bush Deep comments, the embarrassment that the Prime Minister has been to all of us as Australians with his melon jokes and his Kylie 'shagging'. I mean, seriously, I don't think this Prime Minister could degrade the post more.

MacPherson
I guess the only good part about it is that at least the Prime Minister didn't deny that it had happened. So there is that. We're making progress, Anne. We've spent a huge amount of money at this climate conference in Türkiye, not least of which on accommodation for the PM and Chris Bowen. It was revealed today a basic garden view room at the resort where they're staying starts at $1,600 a night. Now, bear in mind, Chris Bowen is there for two weeks. What does that say about Labor's regard for the public purse?

Webster
Well, I don't think they have a regard for the public purse. That they see Australian taxpayers' money as their personal slush fund that they can throw $147 million dollars at this, you know, maybe up to $2,000 a night for a hotel room, while Australians are struggling to put food on their table. We've been talking about the cost of living crisis now for a long time, and it just seems to me that Labour are tin-eared, do not understand it, do not understand how tough people are doing. I mean, Salvation Army are talking about enormous numbers of people who are coming for assistance to them across the nation. It is really tragic.

MacPherson
So the question then has to be asked: What are we getting for all of this? Amanda Rishworth was asked that question this morning. Here's her reply.

Rishworth
Well, I think what Australia has done, the Australian government has done, has made sure, in partnership with the Pacific, that we are at the table discussing action on climate change.

MacPherson
Okay, so we're at the table, a very expensive table. But here's the question again: What do we get? Have a listen.

Rishworth
In particular, the Pacific. This is an issue that matters incredibly to the Pacific. They are at the front line of the impacts of rising sea levels. So to go in partnership with the Pacific to put our case forward is really important.

MacPherson
And listening to that, it sounds like Australian taxpayers are forking out millions of dollars to represent the interests of Pacific Island nations.

Webster
Look, the Pacific Islands are our neighbours, and of course we want to behave in a neighbourly manner. That's why the Pacific Australia Labour Migration Scheme was developed under the Coalition to support those nations to get ahead to develop their own economies. But what we have now is the Minister for Energy pushing his presidency of negotiations at COP31 as his major job, and he's a part time energy minister. And we have in Australia, Australians who are paying 40 per cent more for their electricity under this government, and it's not getting better any time soon. And all the spin in the world that Chris Bowen wants to put on it will not change the facts. People cannot pay their mortgages, their rents, their electricity bills, food on the table. It is just harder and harder every day this government is in power.

MacPherson
You've hit on a really good point, with Chris Bowen having an international role as the president of negotiations, who's representing us? Have a listen to UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres at the conference.

Guterres
Fossil fuels are driving the climate crisis. There is no credible path to a safe climate without moving away from them, fossil fuel dependence leaves countries exposed to price shocks, geopolitical turmoil, and instability. Changing suppliers does not solve the problem; reducing dependence does.

MacPherson
Well, that's all fine and dandy, but our entire economy relies on fossil fuels, not to mention what's left of our energy grid. So, when this is the theme of the conference, who's representing Australia's interests? It can't be our energy minister because he's acting on behalf of COP.

Webster
Absolutely, and he should be representing Australia's interests first. That is his primary job, and we are a country that is so rich in natural resources and energy, and yet, and we export to the world. And the minister for energy is over there saying, "No, no, no. We actually, we really want to shut all of this down, and we want to just do renewables and hydrogen. And we know how well that's going right now. It is absolutely dystopian fantasy land, and you can't help feeling that he's gone over there to get a pat on the back for a job for the UN as opposed to Australia, I don't think there are many Australians who are particularly happy with the Minister for Climate Change and Energy now.

MacPherson
I think you're absolutely right about that, Anne Webster. Always a delight.

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