Transcript - Sky News NewsDay - 21 October 2025

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

21 October 2025

Subject: Trump meeting; Kevin Rudd; social media age minimum.  

Sky News NewsDay with Kieran Gilbert

E&OE … 

Kieran Gilbert

Let’s go live to the Shadow Minister for Communications now. Melissa McIntosh joins us live.

I'll ask you about the conversations the Minister's having on the social media ban in a moment, but just that issue that she was talking on there, asking why would Kevin Rudd step down, as Sussan Ley is suggesting he should, given what an overwhelmingly positive meeting that was between Donald Trump and Anthony Albanese. How do you respond to that?

Melissa McIntosh

Thanks, Kieran. I think this is a case of the strength of our relationship with the United States over a very long time with our alliance. I hope the Prime Minister doesn't take too much claim for the success of that because the work that gets done on such an agreement like critical minerals, happens over many years behind the scenes, people working really hard.

And AUKUS, as we know, was a project that the Coalition started and we support the government in that. But it is more about the relationship as a whole than any individual, including the Prime Minister and including our, you know, he should be very embarrassed ambassador, Kevin Rudd. The President did say that he didn't particularly like the ambassador. And I think it is a very embarrassing moment for Australia on the world stage when we have such a critical relationship to continue to secure.

Gilbert

You say it's embarrassing for Australia, but overall, the substance of that meeting was overwhelmingly positive. So how is that embarrassing in the sense of AUKUS being confirmed in terms of the defence spending being endorsed and so on?

McIntosh

Yeah, yeah. Well, all the reports are on the ambassador and what Trump said about him. So, there is an embarrassment there. But you've got, as I said this - our relationship, our alliance with the United States, we've been through wars together, you know, and now we are a very stable and strong partnership. And that's why we do have success with the United States.

The Prime Minister can put up his hands and said that I did this, but that's not the whole story. You've got to remember he also, as part of that deal on critical minerals, he didn't manage to reduce our tariffs on steel and aluminium is still at 50%. So, it isn't the biggest success we could have had because our manufacturers are really struggling here in this country. I wish he walked away with that as well. And that would have been a successful outcome that he would have …

Gilbert

Do you think, do you agree with Sussan Ley that Kevin Rudd should be removed as ambassador?

McIntosh

That's not my position to say. He has been embarrassing. Sussan's the Opposition Leader. She thinks that he should be removed and she's more involved in the leadership side of things. So, I would support her on that. But I would say it was a pretty awkward moment. And that is, you have to remember, that is our representative, our country's representative in the United States. The President just said I do not like you. So, it's not up for me to say, but I would support Sussan on her call.

Gilbert

Alright, now on the meetings with Black Dog and others in the lead up to the social media ban, is this all happening and tracking as it should, ahead of the world first under 16 ban happening and coming into force?

McIntosh

I think the government is a bit ahead of itself on this. They are claiming success and we haven't reached the December 10 deadline when everything has to work. So, I’ve questioned for a long time now whether this is going to be successful. It is about protecting Australian children. I just don't want it to be too much PR and fluff like look how good we are from the government again and for it not to come through as something that actually helps kids.

We know kids are going to be getting around it. We still are questioning which platforms are in or out. We still don't know which technology will be used and there is still the big question around digital ID and the powers that the eSafety Commissioner has in making people have to use digital ID and that hasn't been resolved yet.

So, the countdown is on. We're not too far away from that deadline and I still have a lot of questions.

Gilbert

Alright, we will stay in touch on that. Thank you, Melissa McIntosh.