Thanks for coming in.
It’s very good to be here. Thank you.
You’re not Amanda Vanstone, are you?
Am I Amanda Vanstone? No, I’m not really.
I thought we had arranged to speak to Amanda Vanstone.
Yes, well, the minister is very busy and I’ve been asked to pop in here and fill in for her.
I don’t think we were told that.
I’m telling you now.
But we weren’t told beforehand.
Well, I can’t help that, sunshine. I’m telling you now, though. I didn’t know about it a long time ago myself, to be honest.
What happened?
I was in the office. I got a call from the minister saying would I get down here and talk to—are you Barry O’Brien?
Bryan Dawe.
Whatever—about whatever particular bee you’ve got in your bonnet tonight.
We asked the minister, Amanda Vanstone, to come here specifically and talk about reconciliation and the response was that she was going to be here and that she was keen to discuss these issues.
Good response, too, but something’s cropped up. The minister is very busy.
Well, where is she?
Aside from anything else, she is the Minister for Popping Small Children in the Jail.
She said she would be here at ten to eight.
Yes but something has cropped up and I am here to deputise for her.
Well, where has she gone?
She is at a ‘Bring and Buy’ in Braidwood, a very important party function. She is yanking a number out of a hat at quarter to nine. She cannot be here!
So this is more important than Aboriginal reconciliation?
Barry, what I’m saying to you…
Bryan.
Mmm?
Bryan.
Whatever. What I’m saying to you is I’m here to help. Ask me any questions. That’s what I’m here to deal with.
How high a priority for the government is Aboriginal reconciliation?
Is what?
Aboriginal reconciliation—how high a priority is it?
Oh, you know, pretty high.
Pretty high?
Yes, fairly high. I’ve heard it mentioned. I’ve heard the adults talking about it in the other room.
This is ridiculous. You are saying that you’ve heard reconciliation discussed in an office somewhere?
Yes.
You’re not serious about this at all. You’ve got no interest in it.
Don’t patronise me, Barry.
Bryan.
Don’t patronise me…Sonny, because I am down here. I should be at a life drawing class. Do you think I like coming down here? There are plenty of people the minister could have sent along here who are much more junior to me in the department. Don’t you tell me the minister is not serious about…
Aboriginal reconciliation.
Whatever.
Can you tell me what the minister thought of the remarks of the Governor-General this week and the remarks of the Governor of Western Australia?
She would probably have been in broad agreement with them, yes.
With whom?
Well, what’s the difference?
(Off.) Shane, this is pointless. Well, how are you on immigration? Well, give us a run. I can give you a personal opinion on immigration.
Why not? You’re missing out on life drawing.
Exactly. I support the Irish guy, Peter O’George.
Petro Georgiou.
Him as well. With them both. I hope that they get a very good hearing in this community.
Really? Why is that?
Because they’re going to get rolled in the Parliament. I reckon give them an airing now and we’ll put the idea to sleep when it gets to the Senate.
Sorry about the life drawing class.
Well, bugger you, too.