TODAY SHOW
INTERVIEW WITH SYLVIA JEFFREYS
22 July 2026
Sylvia Jeffreys
Joining us to discuss today's headlines is Minister for the Environment Murray Watt and Shadow Foreign Minister Ted O'Brien. Morning to you both, Murray. I'll go to you first. This is reported by the Australian this morning that is currently sitting in a high-security Baghdad prison. Will he be allowed back into Australia?
Murray Watt
Well, good morning, Sylvia. We've made clear for some time now that we won't be providing any assistance as a government to anyone who's made the absolutely awful decision to go and join a foreign terrorist organization. That's the approach we've taken in terms of other returns to Australia. No assistance whatsoever.
Sylvia Jeffreys
No assistance, but will he be allowed to return? Will he be allowed to return?
Murray Watt
Well, that that that that will that remains to be seen. We've obviously just got this early reporting about this point, but we won't be providing assistance, just as we haven't provided assistance to others to come back. It is worth remembering, Sylvia, that under the former Coalition government, over 40 foreign fighters did return to this country, so sometimes there are limits around what governments can do. But certainly, anyone who returns to Australia, who's been part of these sorts of organizations, will face the full force of the law.
Sylvia Jeffreys
Well, there is an AFP warrant out for his arrest. Ted, would you allow him back into the country?
Ted O'Brien
No, Sylvia. Point blank. The Coalition would be doing everything in its power to stop this person coming back, and others. And you just heard from Murray Watt there is the line... Well, this is where the Labor government should be doing everything possible. And what you heard from Murray Watt there is the same line they've been running now for months: that the government will do nothing to assist. The Australian people aren't interested in what help the government might provide these ISIS people. They are interested in what the government is going to do to stop them coming back. That's the objective. And so I call on Murray and his colleagues to explain to the Australian people if these ISIS people are released from imprisonment in Iraq. What is the government going to do? The government can't just say, "Oh, we're not going to help. We're not going to help them". What are you actually proactively going to do to protect the Australian people.
Murray Watt
Ted, you know very well. Okay, Ted, you know very well that there are constitutional limits around the ability of a government to prevent an Australian citizen from returning to Australia, and that's why more than 40 Australian foreign fighters returned under the Coalition government. We've demonstrated already that where we have opportunities under the law to prevent people from coming back on a temporary basis, then we will do that. But there are limits around what the government.
Sylvia Jeffreys
We've got to move on to the next topic. This is a discussion that will be playing out right across the country this morning. But I want to move on to where you are this morning, Murray. You're in Adelaide, ahead of the ALP National Conference, where a fight appears to be on the cards around a tax on gas exports. Unions, backbenchers, they're still pushing for it. Murray, is the debate still live within the party?
Murray Watt
Well, I think what you're going to see at the ALP national conference is good debate around a whole range of issues, Sylvia. We're the only party that opens our conference to the media to cover, so there'll be some really good, healthy, robust debate ahead.
Sylvia Jeffreys
Okay, but on the gas tax, is the debate still live?
Murray Watt
Well, obviously, the national conference will debate whatever it wants, and there are clearly some delegates who want to have a debate on that matter. From the government's point of view, our focus on these issues have been making sure that we can maintain our fuel security as a country, and also do what we can to reduce the price of gas. And that's why we're seeking to bring in a domestic gas reservation right now.
Sylvia Jeffreys
And where do you personally stand on a gas tax?
Murray Watt
Well, you know, the position of the government has been that we haven't supported a gas tax because our focus has been making sure that we can get the fuel and gas supplies that we need into the country, and also to do what we can to keep gas prices low. What you will see at this conference is a really strong focus on how we can be delivering real change for Australians, because we know that's what they want, especially around cost of living issues.
Sylvia Jeffreys
Ted, your response. What are your thoughts on a tax rather on gas exports?
Ted O'Brien
Well, it wouldn't be a Labor conference without higher taxes. Look, the Coalition is absolutely opposed to what Labor is trying to do here. I don't believe anything Anthony Albanese says. He's told the Australian people before we won't increase taxes. What does he do?
Sylvia Jeffreys
But this isn't a tax on the people. This is a tax on multi-million-dollar gas companies. There's a difference, isn't there?
Ted O'Brien
Well, actually, there's not because right now we're amidst an energy crisis, and the last thing you want to do is penalize the very people who invest in creating more energy, because once you do that, prices go up for Australian consumers, Australian businesses, and this is the problem. When Labor keeps spending, they just want to keep taxing, and ultimately, it is the Australian people who p ay for it, Sylvia. This this is the issue, and and Murray and his colleagues can say all they want. The Australian people know they always break promises on taxes.
Sylvia Jeffreys
Okay, we're all out of time. Thank you both for joining us this morning. We appreciate it.
