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June 25, 2026
ALEX THOMAS: Let's speak live now to the Shadow Defence Minister, James Paterson. James, thanks for your time on the show. I just want to start with that overseas news about Israel claiming there's been no requirement to withdraw from Lebanon. In that memorandum of understanding between the US and Iran, they do talk about the necessity for a cessation of violence in Lebanon, but there is no legal requirement for Israel to withdraw troops. Could that be a stumbling block to the peace process?
SENATOR JAMES PATERSON: Well, of course, we all want to see peace, including in southern Lebanon and northern Israel, but every time Israel or the IDF withdraws from southern Lebanon, Hezbollah uses the opportunity to rearm, to reactivate, and then launch attacks on Israeli citizens from the south of Lebanon. Hezbollah is a listed terrorist organisation, and it is reasonable for Israel to want to defend its residents from those attacks. Hezbollah is in violation of UN resolutions in occupying southern Lebanon periodically. Whether it affects the peace process between the United States and Iran is a concern. Of course, we want to see the Strait of Hormuz reopened and remain open and remain un-tolled. Of course, we want to see Iran abandon its nuclear weapons ambitions, and the United States is seeking to do that through those negotiations.
THOMAS: We've also got some breaking news just into us. The Home Affairs Minister, Tony Burke, speaking on ABC radio earlier, saying that an Australian woman who's in Syria and has links to Islamic State was subject to a Temporary Exclusion Order, but that has now been rescinded. She has been issued a permit to return to Australia. That's just coming into us, details a little bit scant at the moment. Wonder what your reaction to that news is.
PATERSON: Yes, well, I caught part of that interview, and it was a rather tortured explanation from the Minister for Home Affairs, Tony Burke, about why this wasn't his fault. There was nothing he could do. But the bottom line is the Albanese Labor Government has issued a return permit to a member of ISIS, an affiliate of ISIS, to return to our country who was previously blocked from returning to our country. This is a government which has failed at every turn when it comes to the management of these so-called ISIS brides, really just ISIS members, who left our country to join an abhorrent terrorist organisation that viciously persecuted, murdered, raped and tortured people. Some of those ISIS brides, upon return to Australia, have been charged with crimes against humanity, including human trafficking. I mean, these are not good people. They are not welcome in our country. And the Albanese government, once again, is not doing everything they can to protect our country by keeping these people out of it.
THOMAS: Yeah, and Tony Burke did say that her return, her permit to return, includes a raft of monitoring measures, but it comes at a time when we heard the ASIO chief last night talking about when, not if, Iran-backed groups will kill Australians on home soil. Very worrying times.
PATERSON: It was a typically sobering address from Mike Burgess last night, but not a surprising one to anyone who's been paying attention. Frankly, it's remarkable that the Islamic Republic of Iran, and particularly the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, hasn't already killed an Australian. They nearly killed Australians when they sponsored terror attacks on the Adass Israel synagogue in Melbourne, which was fire-bombed when there were people inside worshipping. It's remarkable they got out with their lives. And I fear that this malignant regime will cost the life of an Australian because it has the capability, and the intent, and the means of doing so.
THOMAS: James, you won the McKinnon Prize last night for outstanding political leadership. Congratulations on that. You gave a speech about the challenges facing the opposition parties. What was the main thrust of it?
PATERSON: Well, look, I was very honoured to be recognised by McKinnon as the Federal Political Leader of the Year, particularly at this point in the electoral cycle for my party. I've never served a day in the ministerial wing of Parliament House, but I think the award recognises that good opposition is important in a parliamentary democracy and that we have a critical role to fight for the national interest and fight for the Australian people. And I think that the task for the Liberal Party now is to demonstrate that regardless of what side we sit on in the parliament, we are here to fight for people and we are here to deliver for them. And when we do that consistently over a period of time, I think we will again earn their trust and support to govern Australia. But the main purpose of the Liberal Party cannot be just to return to government for its own sake. The only purpose of returning to government is to deliver for our country and for our people.
THOMAS: Two teal independents are forming a new political party. Are you at all worried that Community Strong Australia could attract any disgruntled Coalition voters?
PATERSON: Look, I wish them all the best, but if they can't even convince the Teal MPs in parliament to join their party, I think they're going to really struggle to convince Australians to vote for their party. I mean, when you've got people like Monique Ryan and others, Kate Cheney, say that they've got no interest in joining the Teal party, I think that's pretty revealing. But I give credit to Zali Stegall and Allegra Spender. At least they're being open and honest about what they are. The truth is the Teals operate almost exactly the same as a political party, that they share a very common philosophy, they meet in sitting weeks to achieve common positions, they divide up political issues between them, they have a fundraising arm which they share, they even have a digital backend that they share. I mean, it's a party in every sense of the word except in reality. So at least Zali and Allegra are being credible and honest and being upfront with the Australian people and saying, vote for us, we're a party.
THOMAS: OK, Shadow Defence Minister James Paterson, thank you.
ENDS