Leader of The Nationals David Littleproud Weekend Today

ALISON PIOTROWSKI

Welcome back to Weekend Today this Sunday and Brisbane is in the midst of hotel hell as the city faces an embarrassing shortfall of up to 30,000 rooms in the lead-up to the 2032 Olympic Games. Let's bring in today's talkers, Nationals Leader David Littleproud and 4BC presenter Peter Fegan. Good morning to you both. David, I feel nervous. Nothing seems to be going to plan here with your home state?

What is going on?

DAVID LITTLEPROUD

No, all under control. I wouldn't panic too much. I think we'll get this under control. I mean, the reality is we've got some time, and I think, yes, it is important both state and local governments make sure they don't have an Olympic tax on every approval that comes across their decks.

They try to understand that this is for a couple of months that we'll have a peak, but it's important that it's legacy infrastructure. I think it's important at a federal level, we support them, because the reason it's costing so much to build these units is that we've had a migration policy that hasn't prioritised bringing in some builders, some plumbers, electricians. That means we've bought down supply and driven up costs, as well as the fact that our energy bills are so high. But I think there's plenty of time. I think you also, what they don't underestimate is the number of people that aren't necessarily Olympic inclined that may find themselves on overseas trips or travelling around Australia when the Olympics are on, making their homes available as well.

So I think we'll get there.

ALISON PIOTROWSKI

I don't know. I was in Sydney during the Sydney 2000 Olympics and I felt like no one left. You wanted to be there for the party. Peter, I'm puzzled by this because they are offering a host of financial sweeteners to get developers on board.

So what's the hold up?

PETER FEGAN

Well, you can stay at my place, $7,000 a week if you want to during the Olympics. Ali, this is great to cut through red tape. It is fantastic and developers, it'll be well received with developers, but here lies the big issue. You can have all the approval in the world, Ali, but how are we going to build it?

We don't have enough tradies. That's the real issue here. What governments of the day need to do, and I'm sure David will agree with me, make it more attractive for apprentices to join a trade. You start advertising it to kids in grade 10, 11 and 12, governments of the day, and then make it more attractive for people to employ them because what's attractive for an apprentice at the moment about joining a trade where you're earning very little money, you're living with mum and dad until you're 30 years old because you're trying to save up for a house deposit which is difficult. So cut through the red tape, great, fantastic, but how are we going to build it?

We're getting buildings here in Brisbane. There's one in South Brisbane at the moment, it's just been approved, but there's no one to build it. That is the issue here at the moment and just to add to David's point, we will be ready here. I mean, we're Queenslanders.

We'll be sweet. We'll be fine.

ALISON PIOTROWSKI

I have ultimate faith in Queenslanders, that's for sure. Well, moving on, and it's still a game of cat and mouse between Anthony Albanese and Donald Trump. This time the PM scrambling to secure a deal with Aussie miners ahead of his upcoming meeting with the US president.

David, Trump has threatened 100 per cent tariffs on China after Xi moved to impose greater restrictions on exports. How important is it that we get our critical Minerals Deal Right?

DAVID LITTLEPROUD

Well, it's important we actually have a relationship with the United States and its President. It's been over 320 days since President Trump came to office and we haven't had a meeting. Anthony Albanese hasn't been to the White House.

ALISON PIOTROWSKI

He had a selfie.

DAVID LITTLEPROUD

Yeah, well, a lot of good that's going to do us when we've got geopolitical threats when we're relying on Virgin pilots to identify live fire exercises off our coast. I would have thought that Anthony Albanese would have found himself in the White House long before now to not only talk about AUKUS, but trade.

This has been going on straight after the Trump administration was sworn in. 320 days, we hold some of the aces. And the fact that we're now scrambling speaks volumes about the level of relationship that not only Anthony Albanese has, but Kevin Rudd has in Washington. We want Australia to succeed, but we actually have to be honest with ourselves that for us to take this long, such an enriched relationship that we've had for so many generations, for us to struggle to get a meeting, not only on trade, but more important, I think it's a very important, strategic defence. I just think something's not right and the fact that we might have to buy some of our resources.

ALISON PIOTROWSKI

A meeting is locked in.

DAVID LITTLEPROUD

Some 320 days. Some 320 days, the UK has already signed and got concessions on a number of things like steel and aluminium. Australia hasn't set foot in the White House. I mean, let's be honest, when we're as close allies as what we are at the United States, for us to still be waiting for a meeting now to be scrambling to try and piece some sort of deal together on resources just speaks volumes.

And I think we've got to be honest with ourselves. Anthony Albanese hasn't covered himself in diplomatic glory here, nor is Kevin Rudd. And it's time for a reset.

ALISON PIOTROWSKI

Peter, could this be an opportunity to finally get President Trump on side to cut a deal here, get a critical minerals deal through with our miners?

PETER FEGAN

Well, it could be a case, Sally, of too little, too late.

You know what this is? This is a direct result of a government that has been too distracted. A Prime Minister that is worried about everything else but Australia. And that's the real concern here. And if I'm Donald Trump, why would I be meeting with Anthony Albanese?

Why would I be worried about Australia. What examples has the Prime Minister set? What reassurance has he given the United States? He's met with China five times and he's failed to sit down with Donald Trump.

They've been in the same room how many times, twice now? And Donald Trump has not taken any time out apart from a selfie to sit with our Prime Minister. For me, that is the Prime Minister not focusing on the real issues that Australians want him to focus on. And that is a good trade deal with America and a fair set up here in Australia and he's wasted too much time. This could be a case of too little, too late.

Now we're on the back foot, as David said, we held the cards, but we were too distracted. The Prime Minister worried about too many other things. He travelled around the world and he should have been focusing on what Australians put him into office to do, and that's focus on Australia so that we can grow, we can have good investment here. I mean, we're sitting in one of the most mineral rich parts of the world. Australia has so much energy, except for some reason it's taboo to dig it out of the ground and burn it ourselves.

We send it overseas. But yet here we are going, okay we can't meet with one of our biggest trade allies, we can't meet with the US, but he's been distracted Ali and that's the real issue here.

ALISON PIOTROWSKI

Look I just really hope that October 20 meeting actually goes ahead very quickly. Condé Nast Traveller has revealed their top 10 friendliest cities in the world. Melbourne and Sydney taking out six and seven respectively.

David what do you reckon about this?

DAVID LITTLEPROUD

Obviously they haven't been to Brisbane. They're always happy, especially this year after State of Origin, Rugby League Grand Finals, AFL Grand Finals, happiest people and kindest people you'll find in Australia. But, you know, good on you.

You've got to throw a bone every now and then to you Southerners. It's good to see. I was a bit surprised Sydney and Melbourne weren't higher, actually. I've got to say, I think they've improved. Always get a smiling couple of local Sydneyites or Melbourneans every time you're there.

ALISON PIOTROWSKI

All right, Peter, you're from Brizzy. I'm assuming you're feeling the same vibe as David?

PETER FEGAN

I don't know who put this together, but what a G up. I think at the moment, Sydney and Melbourne are just feeling a little empty because there's no trophies because they all belong here in Brisbane.

ALISON PIOTROWSKI

There we go. Thank you, Queenslanders.