More money and resources need to be channelled into St Albans’ arts and cultural communities, says federal opposition leader Bill Shorten.
In an exclusive interview with Star Weekly looking back on his six months as leader, he was asked if there was one area of Brimbank he’d like to see better supported.
“I would love to see St Albans receive greater support for developing their artistic life, their cultural life,” he said.
“We need, along with that railway crossing, more focus on people’s extracurricular activities, whether it’s sport, performing arts or music. I’d like to see more resources go to that.”
In a wide-ranging interview, Mr Shorten welcomed plans for the east-west link, on the condition it was funded with the Metro Rail Project.
“Better roads are always important,” he said. “I do support having a better connection between the east and west of Melbourne. I drive on the roads of the west; I sit in the same traffic jams as everyone else.”
Mr Shorten would not be drawn when asked if he regretted the former Labor government’s decision to open a detention centre on Manus Island, and said he was keen to see the results of an inquiry into the recent riot there.
“I regret the people who have drowned, I regret the people smugglers exploiting people,” he said. “People who come here by boat are not criminals. People should be treated humanely at Manus Island. That’s why we want the independent inquiry … it needs to be fully explained to the Australian people. I’d like to be able to tell those refugees what happened.”
On plans for “rebuilding” the Labor Party, Mr Shorten said the party would “open our doors to everyone, regardless of background, regardless of what they do. We’ll be a membership-based party, not a faction-based party.”
On how he would have handled the struggling automotive industry, Mr Shorten said; “Industry intervention should be the exception, not the rule. We have to be a smart country, so we have to invest in research and development.”
And to the people working in the industry: “You’re highly skilled, task-oriented, problem solving, team-based individuals, so it’s not the end of the world for you.”
On raising the retirement age: “I have no problem with the idea of people working until they’re 70. I do have a problem telling a bricklayer and a tradie … you must keep doing the same physically onerous work until you’re 70. It’s physically not an option.”
