Transcript - Sky News Paul Murray Our Town - 28 September 2025

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

28 September 2025

Transcript

Sky News – Paul Murray Our Town

Topic: Western Sydney; manufacturing; Aussie Made; economic development; energy prices; baseload power; Penrith Panthers.

Paul Murray

Melissa McIntosh, give her a round of applause because she is, of course, the local MP representing the good people of Lindsay. Once again, Melissa, everyone. Now, lovely to see you. Now you have been representing in and around that area of Penrith now for multiple elections. That in and of itself is quite the history making event, and if anyone remembers their politics from Western Sydney in that particular seat. But give me an idea about what it's like to talk about places like Penrith in Canberra all day, every day, and how receptive people are to those messages.

Melissa McIntosh

Talking about the best community in the country. How hard can that be? It's an amazing place to live. People, I feel, have felt they've been let down though, over many, many years. We are the heart and soul of Western Sydney. We have - manufacturing prices are through the roof. Manufacturers are closing their doors every day. They tell me they can have all the solar panels in the world, but what powers they're manufacturing: Aussie Made. Right here it is, 24/7 baseload power. And we have kids that are so aspirational. You went to Western Sydney Uni. I went to Western Sydney Uni. Look at us, we're doing okay, doing alright. I want kids in Western Sydney to know that their dreams can come true, they can reach for the stars. And things are changing in Western Sydney, but you've got to fight for it. That's what I do in Canberra. I fight every day for our people.

Paul Murray

Because this is what I'm always fascinated about, about when you represent a community, and often there's sort of the political side of it, right, with a bunch of people who've never been further west than certain areas in Sydney, who think ‘Western Sydney equals do this and they'll vote’. Right? But the reality is it's just as diverse as everywhere else. It's just as complicated as everywhere else. What are some of the misconceptions about how government sometimes treats Western Sydney?

Melissa McIntosh

I think government historically would just hand out to Western Sydney and say, ‘take it, we're doing this and you have to put up with it’. We have a loud voice; we're very passionate people. But best of all, we back each other. When I say it's the best community in the country, we actually do have an extraordinary community spirit and everyone in my patch still sort of knows each other. We have fires, we have floods, and we come out and we really support each other in times of need. But right now, I think people are fed up. They don't want to just take it. And that's my job, is to stand up for them and have a loud voice, a really strong voice.

Paul Murray

Well, speaking of loud, that jacket is amazing. Give it up for the rock and roll. I love this look right now. But it's not just the first time you've been able to know how to, you know, capture the attention. We've got some photos that you have very kindly said we are allowed to show, right.

Melissa McIntosh

Yeah.

Paul Murray

You used to be a cheerleader.

Melissa McIntosh

Yes.

Paul Murray

What were you a cheerleader for?

Melissa McIntosh

What's the best team in the country? Panthers, just not today.

Paul Murray

The Panthers, yeah, I'm sorry about it. So, look at this now. I was going to say, are we the bottom left? Bottom right here?

Melissa McIntosh

Yeah.

Paul Murray

But what's one of the blondes there? Was this a fun time in your life?

Melissa McIntosh

Oh, it's a great. I'm middle centre at the back right. Right there. It's an extraordinary time. And all these women are now lawyers, they're teachers, politicians. And I think it just shows that young women in Western Sydney - your daughters - can aspire to anything they want to achieve. And Panthers didn't have a win today, but.

Paul Murray

Sorry.

Melissa McIntosh

I'm sure you are, but we'll hold them on our shoulders and we'll lift them even higher. They are part of our community and we love our Panthers and they should be so proud. They've done all of us so proud over the last few years.

Paul Murray

As my little girls know, everything is better with dancing, including in your local politicians. Thank you, Melissa. Really appreciate it. Love you, darling. Alright. Melissa McIntosh, she is also the Shadow Communications Minister as well.