Interview on ABC Wide Bay Breakfast with David Dowsett

DAVID DOWSETT: Anthony Chisholm, good morning.

ANTHONY CHISHOLM: Good morning, David. Good to be with you and your listeners.

DAVID DOWSETT. So, originally your plan was that gas companies would have to reserve 20 per cent of their exports for Australia, and now that's been changed to up to 20 per cent. Why the sudden switch-up?

ANTHONY CHISHOLM: What we want to ensure is that we have a modest surplus of gas to the domestic market. We think that's the best way to put downward pressure on prices. That'll be good for local manufacturers. It will be good for jobs and good for that Future made-in-Australia agenda. But we also recognise the importance of our international partners in terms of our gas development, and there's no better example of that on the east coast and at Curtis Island off Gladstone. So, we recognise that they will be able to continue to export as well. But we wanted to ensure that there's a modest supply for the domestic market. This will put downward pressure on prices. That's good for jobs and good for manufacturing.

DAVID DOWSETT: That's certainly watered down, though, isn't it, from the original proposal? How much pressure are you under from the gas industry?

ANTHONY CHISHOLM: I wouldn't describe it that way, David. I think what we did is we announced that we wanted a reservation policy almost 12 months ago. We went through a detailed process and consultation on that. We think this gets the balance right. We were really determined to ensure that where there's enough gas for the domestic market and that it's delivered at a lower price, we believe these reforms will achieve that, while also ensuring we protect those international partners who've been investing in gas developments in Queensland and around Australia.

DAVID DOWSETT. So, with just up to 20 per cent though reserve, how will that bring down prices?

ANTHONY CHISHOLM: Because what it does is that it gives the flexibility. Some days, some years it might be closer to the 20 per cent that we need to ensure that we have enough supply for the domestic market. So, it takes out those wrinkles that we've seen when we've had to intervene in the marketplace previously. This will ensure that we have that modest surplus year on year. That way, we're confident that will drive down prices for domestic users, which is really important.

DAVID DOWSETT: Get the feeling that both major parties are reacting to One Nation's positioning. Certainly this week, Labor will now also tighten rules for temporary visas. Is One Nation really setting the agenda for major parties here?

ANTHONY CHISHOLM: No, I think if you look at the government over the last couple of years, we've acknowledged that the number has been too high and we've been working to get those settings down. I think what Tony, Minister Burke, will announce today is the latest effort that we've put in to ensure that we're reducing numbers. We've seen action previously on international education. There'll be further announcements today and it's about ensuring that we get that number down to a sustainable level. We know that migration is important, it's important in your part of the world for industry, but we also want to ensure that it's at a sustainable number, that it enjoys community confidence and that we can ensure that we've got the support that is there around housing and other things to meet that number as well.

DAVID DOWSETT: That move has been prompted by One Nation's moves.

ANTHONY CHISHOLM: Well, I think that this is something that we've talked about. We tried before the last election, David, to lower the number or to put a cap on international students coming in and the opposition opposed it. So, I think that if you look at the record of government over the last couple of years, this has been something that we've been working on and today will be further evidence of the work that we've put in in this area.

DAVID DOWSETT: How concerned are you by the forward march of One Nation?

ANTHONY CHISHOLM: Well, what I try and do is just get out and about and talk to people as much as I can. Senator Hanson's been in public life for a long time and she has from time to time had spikes in levels of support. What I've always found, when that's been the case, is the best thing that I can do as a Labor Senator is get out and about, listen to people, enact changes that are going to make a difference to people's lives. And I think that when you look at the gas reservation, that's something that's going to be important for Queensland manufacturing and jobs. The changes that we're making around migration are going to ensure that the public can have confidence in the system, but it will continue to support international education. And working holiday makers are really important for a place like Bundaberg and surrounding areas. So, I think on all these things, if you're out and about, listening to the community, implementing changes that are reflective of those views, that's what representative democracy is about and that's what this government's about, about making real change that impacts Australians.

DAVID DOWSETT: Senator Anthony Chisholm, thanks very much.

ANTHONY CHISHOLM: Thanks, David. Good to be with you.