Radio interview with Ben Fordham, 2GB
2 August 2019
Prime Minister
PRIME MINISTER: Jack, it’s ScoMo here, how are you?
JACK BEARNE: Oh my goodness. Hi.
PRIME MINISTER: I’m really well but I’ve got to tell you, I'm so impressed by you and you've raised just an amazing amount of money to help our farmers and our graziers and our farming communities all around the country. But it's more than that, because you've just given them a real shot in the arm. Because you're telling everybody in the city about what's going on and they're so encouraged out there by what you've done. It's really given to lift their spirits. So mate, you’re an amazing Australian. How good is Jack Bearne?
JACK BEARNE: Oh my goodness. Hi.
BEN FORDHAM: He's gone all red, ScoMo, in a major way.
[Laughter]
PRIME MINISTER: Well we’re very proud of him. I know you are too, Ben. It's great, the work you've done to support him as well in all the various things, it's tremendous mate.
FORDHAM: Well it's just amazing isn’t it, PM? I mean, you don't have to be your age to come up with good ideas and it just goes to show you from little things big things grow, right?
PRIME MINISTER: Absolutely. And it really is encouraging people. I mean, the drought is continuing. We can't make it rain. But Jack Bearne can make life just that little bit easier for those farmers and people living in those communities. And that money isn't just the money, it's what's behind it. It’s the care and it's the interest and it's the support that that sits behind it as well. So well done, mate.
FORDHAM: Now Jack, just tell the Prime Minister some of the things you've learned just from the attitudes of these farming families as you've made your way around the country.
JACK BEARNE: I’ve definitely learned a lot of facts about the drought and I've definitely learned a lot of first things stuff and especially when you go to a farm and you see the conditions and them saying, ‘Oh yeah it’s pretty bad, but there's been way worse.’ And the one thing they say every single time no matter what is that ‘I am not the worst’. And sure, they aren't the worst, but I think that makes them think that they can’t ask for help. And you certainly can because you are in a bad position and you do need help. And yeah, it's just really tragic to see that they don't want to reach out for help because they take so much pride in what they do and it's really hard for them to reach out. So when they do reach out to you it's really big for them and it's really hard to do.
FORDHAM: How right is he, PM, when he says that everyone always says, ‘Oh yeah but there's someone else in a worse spot’?
PRIME MINISTER: Well that is true. And I hear the same thing and that’s sort of a statement of their compassion for others who are doing it tough. But it also means that it's important through what Jack's done and so many others have done is reaching out to people in these communities. As you know, we’ve put a lot of additional support into supporting mental health of people all throughout the drought affected area, as well as the money into the councils and the shires and all those things to keep the economy ticking over, and we got the Drought Fund through the Parliament last week and we're really pleased about that. But it's reaching out and putting your arms around people. I've been out there giving those same hugs, but I suspect yours are even more than special, Jack, when you're out there. Because it helps people believe and, you know, it's going to rain again and it's going to be good again. That's the story of Australia's agricultural districts. And there are other parts of the country like over in Western Australia where they're going to have a bumper crop, but over on the east coast it's much harder. So, mate, you're helping them through.
FORDHAM: Now PM, when he was in the studio last week he's got this great shirt, A Fiver for a Farmer shirt and I don't know how to describe it, Jack, but it's one of those. Who makes the shirts is it…
JACK BEARNE: It's RB Sellers.
FORDHAM: RB Sellers. It’s one of those things that when you see it you'll know what I mean, PM, where it just looks like it's straight from the country and I said to him, I went, ‘Oh mate, how do I get one of those shirts?’ And he said to me, ‘There's only one. This one.’ And then you’re not going to believe it, he's turned up with one today just for me. Now, I don't know whether your mates at RB Sellers can do one for the PM. I don't know whether he's a medium or large but if you get one for him I'm sure that ScoMo would probably wear it and then pose in a photo probably to to raise awareness for A Fiver for a Farmer, or am I being a little bit too cheeky there, PM?
PRIME MINISTER: That'd be great. I’d love it. But Jack we've got to arrange for you to come and sit down with me and tell me all the things you've been hearing from our farmers and what you've been hearing first-hand.
JACK BEARNE: That would be awesome. I've got loads of questions for you because I get all these ideas and questions and facts that I can ask and I don't really know who to ask cause...
PRIME MINISTER: Well come and ask me, mate.
JACK BEARNE: OK.
PRIME MINISTER: We’ll sort that out. I’ll work through Ben and we'll make sure you can come and see me here in Sydney, because you live up on the northern beaches, don’t you?
JACK BEARNE: Yeah I do.
PRIME MINISTER: You're a Sea Eagles fan?
JACK BEARNE: No, I'm a Bunnies fan.
FORDHAM: Yeah, good boy.
PRIME MINISTER: My Sharks are playing your Bunnies tomorrow night.
JACK BEARNE: Yes they are, and they’re going to win.
[Laughter]
FORDHAM: Well, PM, I'll leave you to it. You're very generous to call in, but he's an inspiring kid and it'll be great to know so you'll go and meet the Prime Minister at some point and the two of you can exchange ideas, all right?
JACK BEARNE: Yeah definitely, that would be amazing.
FORDHAM: Prime Minister, thank you so much for calling in.
PRIME MINISTER: Thanks Ben, thanks for hooking us up.
FORDHAM: Good on you mate.
