Parliament House Doorstop - 19 January 2026

Melissa McIntosh MP
Shadow Minister for Communications
Shadow Minister for Women
Federal Member for Lindsay

19 January 2026

Transcript

DOORSTOP

E&EO …

Journalist

Do you think that the government is going to be able to reach some kind of deal when it comes to these motions of harm. 

Melissa McIntosh

You’ve got to remember why we're here in the first place. In December, 15 people were tragically killed in our worst terrorist attack. I've been there to Bondi, I was there a week later, and I just think of Matilda, little 10-year-old Matilda, and she was an Australian. So, we're here now to stand up for Australians, to work with the government in the best way we can, even though it's been a shambles by the government in getting us here. So many changes, they were all over the place, but in the interests of Australians, we want to do the right thing. 

Journalist

How are the negotiations so far?

Melissa McIntosh

We had shadow cabinet last night; we had discussions there. I won't go into the details, but the Coalition is taking this very seriously despite the fact that the government has been weak in their approach. It's being rushed. You go through the bill, and you can see the holes and the unintended consequences everywhere. But we're working hard behind the scenes to make sure that we'll have an outcome that is in the best interest. 

Journalist

On a separate issue, the latest news poll shows that One Nation has overtaken the Coalition in terms of popularity. Is that showing the direction the Coalition should be

Melissa McIntosh

I think we've gone through a really tough time since December, and the Australian public have seen how much the government's been all over the place and they want a different outcome. So, I'm not surprised with the polls at this stage but for me, when I'm out in my community, it's all about being a local, good community member and that's what matters to people. They want you to be standing up for them, they want you to be fighting for them, and I think once we get to a resolution here, they want us to be focusing on issues like cost of living because people are really struggling right now. Thank you.