Transcript - ABC Afternoon Briefing - 29 October 2025

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

29 October 2025

Transcript

ABC Afternoon Briefing with Patricia Karvelas

Topics: PM Joy Division t-shirt; AFP Commissioner speech; Triple Zero outage; Optus; net zero survey.

E&EO …

Patricia Karvelas

Melissa McIntosh is the Shadow Communications spokesperson and joins me now. Melissa, welcome.

McIntosh

Thank you.

Karvelas

Have to start there, okay.

McIntosh

Yeah.

Karvelas

Should Sussan Ley have really got stuck into the Prime Minister over a t-shirt?

McIntosh

Well, I listened to your briefing just prior and talking about the history of that name, which is really deep for people and it's really disturbing. So, she had a really strong point to make there and she didn't like it. And she can say that she doesn't have to go along with everyone else on the Labor side saying that she shouldn't be talking about that. It's her right to stand up as the Opposition Leader.

Karvelas

But it's about judgement and when there's a cost of living crisis. Inflation today we know what direction that went in. Is it really the big ticket item, what the PM wears?

McIntosh

We can multitask, I think, and Sussan can prosecute the Opposition's cases against the Prime Minister and his government on cost of living on those serious issues. But she has a right to also make a comment on something that she felt was inappropriate for the Prime Minister of Australia during this really unsettled time to do.

Karvelas

Okay, so some of the colleagues, though, haven’t agreed that she should have done that. But you think?

McIntosh

That's their prerogative as well? If they don't agree that's fine, but I'm quite comfortable with her making her statement.

Karvelas

Okay, fair enough.

I want to talk about something that was announced today. The AFP Commissioner, Krissy Barrett, really like, describes some pretty disturbing work that they're doing, particularly when it comes to child exploitation and radicalisation online. She says some of these acts are being done for amusement and that it's popular online. People don't understand the consequences. You're the Shadow Minister for Women. How do we combat this? Do you feel like the announcement from the AFP is adequate - trying to tackle this kind of violence and abuse?

McIntosh

I was quite impressed with her coming out as one of her first big statement, at the Press Club, to be tackling this issue and really caring about this issue. And it shows how, you know, how in depth it is, how across borders, across, you know, communities, across countries, and it is a big issue for not only the AFP, but all of society and it sickens us as parents. I'm sure you feel the same way with children and you can almost not keep up with it. And then every story you hear, you think, how is that even happening? So, I'm actually glad that they have a laser sharp focus on trying to tackle this issue.

Karvelas

I want to move to the Commissioner also talking about this taskforce, she also though said that it was a society wide issue and she's right. The police can only deal with it after it's occurred or it's - you know, this is not about the actual stuff that happens beforehand. Are you confident that there is enough resourcing going into trying to tackle the growth of this?

McIntosh

It's across so many areas from parents trying to keep up. And I know she mentioned around speaking to your children and making sure that they feel comfortable and they don't feel like they're going to get in trouble if they've seen something or someone's approached them, those sorts of things. And that goes into the schools and the pressure's on teachers to try and keep up with this. And in public schools, I know in New South Wales they tried to ban mobile phones, but kids get around these things, don't they? They'll put calculators in their wonder patches and, you know, pouches and things. So, you know, and then it comes to governments trying to do their best and then it's onto the platforms as well. So I think everybody has a role to play, but it's really hard to keep up.

Karvelas

We want to talk about the parliamentary inquiry into Optus and the Triple Zero outage, which was pretty disturbing, obviously. I know you've been prosecuting this. Optus is being hauled in to answer questions. Aren't they the ones that should be held to account here?

McIntosh

Of course they should be held to account. They did the wrong thing and people died. It is about life and death. But the government does have a role to play as well. We have a regulator in ACMA. They were caught up in the failed process. They should have alerted the Minister. The Minister said she wasn't alerted but she appointed them as the investigator and she has a role to play as well. And that's why I've been pushing so hard, because this is about Australians and, you know, they should be able to pick up the phone in their greatest time of need and they can't. And I still don't have confidence that they can do that approaching disaster season. I've met with the Optus CEO. I've met with, you know, I've spoken to the Minister. I've pushed for these inquiries and for amendments to legislation. I'm really pleased that we do have a Senate inquiry and it starts on Monday and I hope Optus fronts up first.

Karvelas

Just finally, in an email to your electorate, you said there's been a survey of constituents. They want to dump net zero. So that is your view. You're going into these discussions wanting the Coalition to dump net zero.

McIntosh

So, my survey wasn't preempting what they would say. I actually, genuinely want to hear from them. One of the questions was around support for net zero. Another question, 87% of people's power bills have gone up and they’re actually really struggling. So, they're not approaching this, my community, from an ideological viewpoint. It's around - they just are really struggling. They're trying to do their best. They're putting solar panels on their roofs, they can't afford the batteries, and their bills are skyrocketing and they don't want - 65% of people are surveyed and there's around 1500 responses, which I think is pretty good sample - do not want net zero by 2050. So, I'm a community MP,

I feel really strongly about the views of my community and I've been open in speaking about that.

Karvelas

Yeah, you have. So that puts, you know, you on the record on this. Where's the weight of opinion at the moment? I know this has to be a process, but, you know, you speaking out is quite significant. You're on the - you know, in the Shadow Cabinet. Does it look poised that the Coalition will dump net zero?

McIntosh

I don't - I can't speak on behalf of my colleagues. I know there's probably other colleagues who might feel equally as passionate the other way and think ...

Karvelas

Andrew Bragg has raised these questions.

McIntosh

So, yeah, it's fine for them to say that as well, but we do need to come to some sort of solution where people aren't struggling like they are now. And if it gets to a stage where transmission lines are rolled out and it's high costs, and when those costs get locked in, where do we get to the point of no return and can't bring down power?

Karvelas

No, but even if you dumped net zero, there's no quick solution.

McIntosh

I don't think when you say we dump net zero and we've got no other policy ideas, let's just go with that. That's not going to be the outcome. But we do need to get to, you know, I think a pragmatic energy policy that looks short term, medium term and then long term.

Karvelas

And what do you say to your colleagues who think that if you dump net zero and they've been on the record, you are making it so difficult for the Liberals to capture seats in metropolitan cities?

McIntosh

I think it's really important for us to hold seats like mine and Lindsay. It's a seat that you can never take for granted. You know, I managed to hold it against the tide last election and the prior election, but that's because I listen. You've got to listen to your people. And other colleagues may not agree with me, but I know that's one of the reasons why I hold the seat, is because I take their views on their voice in the Australian Parliament.

Karvelas

Melissa, lovely to talk to you. Thank you.

McIntosh

Thank you.