E&OE….
Topics: Clean Air and Urban Landscapes hub, World Government Summit, reshuffle, Stuart Robert
GREG HUNT:
I'm absolutely delighted to be able to launch the Clean Air and Urban Landscapes hub today, and to launch and support the Indigenous engagement and participation strategy.
We've got an enormous amount that we can learn from Indigenous knowledge and help apply it to our cities.
New Zealand integrates their Maori culture into their cities and their lives, I think even in a stronger way than Australia.
There's much we can learn from other countries, there's an enormous amount we can learn from our indigenous communities.
And at the end of the day it's about making our lives better, our cities better, and the quality of life and the quality of our air better for our current and our future generations.
JOURNALIST:
Minister, you've just come back from overseas. You won the award, congratulations. Tell us first, what was the award, and how did you feel receiving it?
GREG HUNT:
Look, I was very fortunate to be awarded a – well, to be given an award in relation to performance.
It's really about Australia. And what it says is that the international community thinks that Australia is doing very well in terms of the Great Barrier Reef, our emissions reductions, and our work in helping with the Montreal Protocol.
So it's not really recognition for an individual, it's recognition for Australia and for our work in the environment.
JOURNALIST:
And just on that point, was the (indistinct).
GREG HUNT:
I'll leave others to comment.
JOURNALIST:
Okay. There's a reshuffle in the offing and the trade portfolio is up for grabs.
Have you spoken to Malcolm Turnbull about what you want from the reshuffle, what ministry you might want?
And being the best minister in the world, surely you could move up the ladder?
GREG HUNT:
Oh look, I'll leave these things to the Prime Minister, and he's always best placed to make those judgments looking over government. I'm fortunate, I do really love my work and it's a privilege to serve in the Government.
JOURNALIST:
Would you like to be Trade Minister?
GREG HUNT:
Look, I love my current job and of course would serve in any portfolio that would be offered. But I really do love what I do in the environment.
JOURNALIST:
Certainly, the Nationals want the Trade Ministry (indistinct).
GREG HUNT:
Look, I have great respect for the Nationals and for Barnaby Joyce.
I really think that Barnaby and Fiona Nash, and they're good friends of mine, I've worked with each of them very closely, they have been doing tremendous jobs.
Now the Prime Minister makes these decisions, with the National party – it is entirely a matter for the Prime Minister and Barnaby Joyce.
JOURNALIST:
Just on Stuart Robert, is it appropriate for a Minister to use his office for fundraising events?
GREG HUNT:
Look I’ll leave any of these issues in relation to that to the Secretary of Prime Minister and Cabinet.
I understand there's a view that's been going on, and this (indistinct).
JOURNALIST:
(Indistinct)
GREG HUNT:
Look, it was determined through an independent process that Thomson Reuters oversaw, I believe they brought at the World Bank, the OECD, Ernst & Young, Strategy and Co in. So they apparently had a shortlist of 100, which they whittled down to 10. Those names are not known to me.
I think, again, that this about Australia rather than any one individual.
But it's nice that the international community is saying that they think Australia is making a very, very constructive role – playing a very important part in helping to protect the Barrier Reef, to reduce emissions, and to protect the ozone layer.
JOURNALIST:
On the last question, some are saying that it's against the sort of (indistinct).
GREG HUNT:
Look, it's really a matter for the UAE and Thompson Reuters. But I don't think anybody would be prepared to live up to a title like that, it's about a country.
JOURNALIST:
I’m told that Stuart Robert may resign – have you heard that?
GREG HUNT:
No, I genuinely don't have any information. I've literally just stepped off the plane.
JOURNALIST:
All right, thank you very much.
(ENDS)