00:00:13
S1: What's really fabulous book of the program. The shadow attorney general. Also shadow Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and also for child protection, Josh Teague to the program. Who's also the deputy leader for the Liberal Party. Josh, always great to catch up. Thank you for your time.
00:00:26
S2: Oh it's great to be along Peter. And hi to all the listeners. It's really good to be on the show and I hope everybody's having a good day today.
00:00:33
S1: Josh, before we talk about some other issues which are a bit more serious, perhaps you played blind cricket the other day. How'd you find the experience?
00:00:39
S2: Yeah, I did, and for the second time, Peter and I can I say it's a different format, but all of us, we're so fortunate to be able to have a contest. It's a parliamentary team against the state blind team. Now, last year we played an oval and this year we were out Gillian Rolton oval. Beautiful playing setting, beautiful condition. And I've just got to say the blind cricketers showed us how it's done and we just comprehensively last year and I guess I'm proud to say that we improved a little bit. We learned a bit for this time round and it was a good contest. Beaten again comprehensively. But I'm full of admiration for our superstars.
00:01:19
S1: You're playing a pretty good team though, Josh. They finished runners up in the nationals so only beaten by New South Wales. You're playing cream of the crop.
00:01:26
S2: Yeah, well they're brilliant and I hope that we can make this at least an annual event. And I'm a huge fan. That was a great evening.
00:01:33
S1: Was an advantage to have played last year. Like to have played the game once and kind of sussed it out. A bit of an advantage to come back a second time.
00:01:40
S2: Yeah, I think so. It certainly is. And like any game, it's got its own set of conditions and within, you know, a few minutes of getting started, we were all just going for it as best we could. We were really being shown how to do it. Yeah. Oh look, to keep on improving. And if I have the chance to come back next year, I'll be up and about again, I hope.
00:02:00
S1: Well, if you get elected March 21st, I'm sure you'll be first pick. What's the toughest thing about it?
00:02:05
S2: The main thing is you've got to be good at hitting the ball off the deck. And I've played a bit of cricket over the years that you're used to the bouncing ball and the range of shots. And in blind cricket, the code is all about timing the hitting of the ball off the deck. And I think as you're getting really good at it, the varying of the pace can make a real difference. And I was wicket keeping this time around, so I was close to the action, and seeing those batters doing their bit is just awe inspiring. But that's the big one that I think I could go away and do a bit more practice on that hitting the ball off the deck, getting the timing right for all of that. Just amazing.
00:02:44
S1: For those who might be aware, the ball was bowled underarm and obviously the ball's got to be in contact with the pitch, so it makes the sound. So it's, as you say, pretty much along the carpet most of the time. Hey Josh, wicket keeping. You weren't doing too much chirping behind the stumps were you trying to put the batsman off.
00:02:59
S2: Yeah, it was a bit. There was a bit of chip, you got to say. There was a bit of chip. Uh, I thought of him. He's my chance to do it to the Alex Carey, you know, a bit of bit. But the way they were hitting it. I just kept it back right off. I was one of those days to look forward, to look forward to the next chance. It's a great day.
00:03:18
S1: Josh, we've got the election coming up on March 21st. There's something we've been speaking about for a number of years on this program, and this station is telephone voting for people who are blind or low vision. Thanks to, I guess, everyone cooperating. It's now happening this year.
00:03:31
S2: Yeah. And as it should be. We've had to fight a bit of a battle. And Peter, I know we've spoken about this and worked on it over the years, and to see that it's happening in a way that hopefully can become familiar and straightforward to the people who can take advantage of it, then that's a good thing. Sometimes you have to keep on fighting for things for a bit longer than when they first appeared to be obvious for everyone, but hopefully we've got there and this is part of the way forward now.
00:04:00
S1: So I guess the other side of the equation is now, Josh, there's a lot of people have been wanting it. I guess now they've got a part of the kind of vote with their fingers, maybe not vote with their feet, but take advantage of it. So people say, oh, look, these many people took up the opportunity. It's the right thing to do. We'll improve on it next time.
00:04:16
S2: Yeah, that's exactly right. Like any technology, it ought to be useful for people and make an improvement. And the best way to prove that it is actually a helpful technology is to see it being used. And people can exercise their right to participate in the election process, and that's as it should be.
00:04:36
S1: Now, I have to say that the Electoral Commission in South Australia have been very supportive and have been very proactive in this area, so they're putting a lot of the hard yards in, if you like, to make sure that it works. So they deserve it to work just for the amount of work that they've put in.
00:04:50
S2: Yeah, well that's good. They're the experts in terms of logistics and those of us who can legislate for improvement, certainly that's our role and supporting them. What the Electoral Commission can do to make sure that it's all getting implemented.
00:05:04
S1: Gosh, just a couple of other things. And I know that obviously it's crossing over into other ministers or shadow ministers roles, but one of the things that was spoken about in recent weeks, or actually for quite some time, has been the situation with e-scooters and perhaps the dangers they pose, particularly to pedestrians and pedestrians with disabilities, in particular older people, etc.. Have you got some thoughts about that, and perhaps whether the legislation could be enhanced to make it safer?
00:05:28
S2: Indeed, Peter, and this is an area where I think we need to continue to have feedback from those who are affected, because without more, we can find ourselves with a danger on our hands. It might be convenient for some people to think that they can just get around, but it's got to be regulated in such a way that it preserves safety for everyone, really, but especially people who aren't going to be able to see or hear them coming. I know an area that's in development in terms of the law. I think just like the telephone voting, it's something that we're going to need to keep on working on.
00:06:03
S1: The interesting sort of phenomena, isn't it? I mean, new things come into play and legislation from years ago who doesn't account for this sort of thing. So you've got to be a bit flexible and agile in terms of parliamentarians and lawmakers to go with that time, because there have been a few people seriously injured. In fact, I think even a few killed, either as riders or indeed pedestrians. And we can't afford that sort of casualty.
00:06:25
S2: No, we certainly can't. That's the task of having road rules that make a difference and making sure that people take responsibility. And that means, particularly in this case, looking out for pedestrians and those who won't be able to quite so readily perceive that these are in the near vicinity. And we know the fast moving heavy, they're capable of really causing damage if there's a collision.
00:06:49
S1: And even things like an inconvenience if they're lying around on a footpath, you know, a person in a wheelchair or a person using a cane or even a dog guide for that matter, they've got to get around them. And perhaps some better care could be taken in terms of where they're stored or where they're put when they're not working.
00:07:03
S2: Yeah, that's something that we see now all the way around the city. And I think for those who are providing these service at a cost, we've got to make sure that everybody's doing their bit. The users of them and the providers to make sure that they're not becoming obstacles in the way of those who otherwise using the roads and footpaths.
00:07:20
S1: Josh, one other quick one, if we may. We've discussed over the last few weeks and months about often people with dog guides or assistance animals these days get refused entry into cabs and Ubers and also restaurants, cafes, etc.. I know New South Wales a couple of more years ago increased the penalty for people who infringe that particular law. Is that something that you think could be considered as well?
00:07:42
S2: Yes, I think that's got to be in consideration, along with the whole suite of measures that make sure that where these assistant animals are being used, that's respected. We've seen such tremendous work for guide dogs for the blind, of course, a well familiar, but assistance dogs for all sorts of different support that people need has just come so far these days, and I've just been so inspired to see the way that assistance dogs have brought opportunity for people to get around, to get down to shops in a way that they wouldn't perhaps otherwise be able to live a more full life. And that includes travelling and being out and about in the community. And I think a big part of the battle is just raising awareness so that people who might otherwise not know any better can actually understand what's going on, and then appreciate that and respect it and say, oh gee, right, okay, we understand that better and we know more about this important role that these support dogs are playing. So yeah, I think we need to consider where legislation can do some more work. Penalties for people who do the wrong thing. But also there's lots more that we can do to keep on raising awareness of all the great things that support dogs can do.
00:09:01
S1: And maybe more carrot than stick, because I mean, like again, in later years we've had a number of young people or people living with autism that are now being comforted with assistance dogs, people who might be returned veterans. Operation canine, etc. so there's lots of other kind of applications of assistance dogs. And once might have been the case.
00:09:18
S2: It's exactly right. Peter and I represent a part of the hills in Houston. Lots of small town country areas, whole range of different communities. I think your listeners will be aware of their own neighbors community examples, but I just see it in so many different ways throughout the community. Yeah, connection with veterans and the RSL people have had some particular health need, or they've just had whatever battle it might be to be able to get around and do the sorts of things that others in the community just take for granted. And that support dog can just transform a life. So yeah, I think you put it well. Lots of carrots in the form of raising awareness and appreciation. I think that could go a long way in our community.
00:10:03
S1: Josh, I know you got heaps on, so I appreciate you making time for us. We wish you well. March 21st is the election, so my plea is that people vote and that is the vote by telephone. If they're blind or have low vision and show everyone that we really do want it.
00:10:15
S2: Absolutely. With you on that, Peter. Yes, please. To all of your listeners, make sure you exercise that democratic right and get out and vote. Election day is 21st March. We have pre-poll polling period for the week before that, and there are telephone voting and other means by which to do that where that's appropriate. So it's that time and as always now and all the way through, really glad to have the opportunity to come on and talk. Peter, thank you for all the work you do all the time. I look forward to staying in close contact. Great to be back.
00:10:49
S1: Well, the best to you, Josh.
00:10:50
S2: Thanks very much, Peter. Bye for now.
00:10:53
S1: The shadow attorney general, also spokesperson for Aboriginal Affairs and also for child protection, and indeed the deputy leader for the Liberal Party. Josh, give us some time in this very busy time leading up to the election.
S1: What's really fabulous book of the program. The shadow attorney general. Also shadow Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and also for child protection, Josh Teague to the program. Who's also the deputy leader for the Liberal Party. Josh, always great to catch up. Thank you for your time.
00:00:26
S2: Oh it's great to be along Peter. And hi to all the listeners. It's really good to be on the show and I hope everybody's having a good day today.
00:00:33
S1: Josh, before we talk about some other issues which are a bit more serious, perhaps you played blind cricket the other day. How'd you find the experience?
00:00:39
S2: Yeah, I did, and for the second time, Peter and I can I say it's a different format, but all of us, we're so fortunate to be able to have a contest. It's a parliamentary team against the state blind team. Now, last year we played an oval and this year we were out Gillian Rolton oval. Beautiful playing setting, beautiful condition. And I've just got to say the blind cricketers showed us how it's done and we just comprehensively last year and I guess I'm proud to say that we improved a little bit. We learned a bit for this time round and it was a good contest. Beaten again comprehensively. But I'm full of admiration for our superstars.
00:01:19
S1: You're playing a pretty good team though, Josh. They finished runners up in the nationals so only beaten by New South Wales. You're playing cream of the crop.
00:01:26
S2: Yeah, well they're brilliant and I hope that we can make this at least an annual event. And I'm a huge fan. That was a great evening.
00:01:33
S1: Was an advantage to have played last year. Like to have played the game once and kind of sussed it out. A bit of an advantage to come back a second time.
00:01:40
S2: Yeah, I think so. It certainly is. And like any game, it's got its own set of conditions and within, you know, a few minutes of getting started, we were all just going for it as best we could. We were really being shown how to do it. Yeah. Oh look, to keep on improving. And if I have the chance to come back next year, I'll be up and about again, I hope.
00:02:00
S1: Well, if you get elected March 21st, I'm sure you'll be first pick. What's the toughest thing about it?
00:02:05
S2: The main thing is you've got to be good at hitting the ball off the deck. And I've played a bit of cricket over the years that you're used to the bouncing ball and the range of shots. And in blind cricket, the code is all about timing the hitting of the ball off the deck. And I think as you're getting really good at it, the varying of the pace can make a real difference. And I was wicket keeping this time around, so I was close to the action, and seeing those batters doing their bit is just awe inspiring. But that's the big one that I think I could go away and do a bit more practice on that hitting the ball off the deck, getting the timing right for all of that. Just amazing.
00:02:44
S1: For those who might be aware, the ball was bowled underarm and obviously the ball's got to be in contact with the pitch, so it makes the sound. So it's, as you say, pretty much along the carpet most of the time. Hey Josh, wicket keeping. You weren't doing too much chirping behind the stumps were you trying to put the batsman off.
00:02:59
S2: Yeah, it was a bit. There was a bit of chip, you got to say. There was a bit of chip. Uh, I thought of him. He's my chance to do it to the Alex Carey, you know, a bit of bit. But the way they were hitting it. I just kept it back right off. I was one of those days to look forward, to look forward to the next chance. It's a great day.
00:03:18
S1: Josh, we've got the election coming up on March 21st. There's something we've been speaking about for a number of years on this program, and this station is telephone voting for people who are blind or low vision. Thanks to, I guess, everyone cooperating. It's now happening this year.
00:03:31
S2: Yeah. And as it should be. We've had to fight a bit of a battle. And Peter, I know we've spoken about this and worked on it over the years, and to see that it's happening in a way that hopefully can become familiar and straightforward to the people who can take advantage of it, then that's a good thing. Sometimes you have to keep on fighting for things for a bit longer than when they first appeared to be obvious for everyone, but hopefully we've got there and this is part of the way forward now.
00:04:00
S1: So I guess the other side of the equation is now, Josh, there's a lot of people have been wanting it. I guess now they've got a part of the kind of vote with their fingers, maybe not vote with their feet, but take advantage of it. So people say, oh, look, these many people took up the opportunity. It's the right thing to do. We'll improve on it next time.
00:04:16
S2: Yeah, that's exactly right. Like any technology, it ought to be useful for people and make an improvement. And the best way to prove that it is actually a helpful technology is to see it being used. And people can exercise their right to participate in the election process, and that's as it should be.
00:04:36
S1: Now, I have to say that the Electoral Commission in South Australia have been very supportive and have been very proactive in this area, so they're putting a lot of the hard yards in, if you like, to make sure that it works. So they deserve it to work just for the amount of work that they've put in.
00:04:50
S2: Yeah, well that's good. They're the experts in terms of logistics and those of us who can legislate for improvement, certainly that's our role and supporting them. What the Electoral Commission can do to make sure that it's all getting implemented.
00:05:04
S1: Gosh, just a couple of other things. And I know that obviously it's crossing over into other ministers or shadow ministers roles, but one of the things that was spoken about in recent weeks, or actually for quite some time, has been the situation with e-scooters and perhaps the dangers they pose, particularly to pedestrians and pedestrians with disabilities, in particular older people, etc.. Have you got some thoughts about that, and perhaps whether the legislation could be enhanced to make it safer?
00:05:28
S2: Indeed, Peter, and this is an area where I think we need to continue to have feedback from those who are affected, because without more, we can find ourselves with a danger on our hands. It might be convenient for some people to think that they can just get around, but it's got to be regulated in such a way that it preserves safety for everyone, really, but especially people who aren't going to be able to see or hear them coming. I know an area that's in development in terms of the law. I think just like the telephone voting, it's something that we're going to need to keep on working on.
00:06:03
S1: The interesting sort of phenomena, isn't it? I mean, new things come into play and legislation from years ago who doesn't account for this sort of thing. So you've got to be a bit flexible and agile in terms of parliamentarians and lawmakers to go with that time, because there have been a few people seriously injured. In fact, I think even a few killed, either as riders or indeed pedestrians. And we can't afford that sort of casualty.
00:06:25
S2: No, we certainly can't. That's the task of having road rules that make a difference and making sure that people take responsibility. And that means, particularly in this case, looking out for pedestrians and those who won't be able to quite so readily perceive that these are in the near vicinity. And we know the fast moving heavy, they're capable of really causing damage if there's a collision.
00:06:49
S1: And even things like an inconvenience if they're lying around on a footpath, you know, a person in a wheelchair or a person using a cane or even a dog guide for that matter, they've got to get around them. And perhaps some better care could be taken in terms of where they're stored or where they're put when they're not working.
00:07:03
S2: Yeah, that's something that we see now all the way around the city. And I think for those who are providing these service at a cost, we've got to make sure that everybody's doing their bit. The users of them and the providers to make sure that they're not becoming obstacles in the way of those who otherwise using the roads and footpaths.
00:07:20
S1: Josh, one other quick one, if we may. We've discussed over the last few weeks and months about often people with dog guides or assistance animals these days get refused entry into cabs and Ubers and also restaurants, cafes, etc.. I know New South Wales a couple of more years ago increased the penalty for people who infringe that particular law. Is that something that you think could be considered as well?
00:07:42
S2: Yes, I think that's got to be in consideration, along with the whole suite of measures that make sure that where these assistant animals are being used, that's respected. We've seen such tremendous work for guide dogs for the blind, of course, a well familiar, but assistance dogs for all sorts of different support that people need has just come so far these days, and I've just been so inspired to see the way that assistance dogs have brought opportunity for people to get around, to get down to shops in a way that they wouldn't perhaps otherwise be able to live a more full life. And that includes travelling and being out and about in the community. And I think a big part of the battle is just raising awareness so that people who might otherwise not know any better can actually understand what's going on, and then appreciate that and respect it and say, oh gee, right, okay, we understand that better and we know more about this important role that these support dogs are playing. So yeah, I think we need to consider where legislation can do some more work. Penalties for people who do the wrong thing. But also there's lots more that we can do to keep on raising awareness of all the great things that support dogs can do.
00:09:01
S1: And maybe more carrot than stick, because I mean, like again, in later years we've had a number of young people or people living with autism that are now being comforted with assistance dogs, people who might be returned veterans. Operation canine, etc. so there's lots of other kind of applications of assistance dogs. And once might have been the case.
00:09:18
S2: It's exactly right. Peter and I represent a part of the hills in Houston. Lots of small town country areas, whole range of different communities. I think your listeners will be aware of their own neighbors community examples, but I just see it in so many different ways throughout the community. Yeah, connection with veterans and the RSL people have had some particular health need, or they've just had whatever battle it might be to be able to get around and do the sorts of things that others in the community just take for granted. And that support dog can just transform a life. So yeah, I think you put it well. Lots of carrots in the form of raising awareness and appreciation. I think that could go a long way in our community.
00:10:03
S1: Josh, I know you got heaps on, so I appreciate you making time for us. We wish you well. March 21st is the election, so my plea is that people vote and that is the vote by telephone. If they're blind or have low vision and show everyone that we really do want it.
00:10:15
S2: Absolutely. With you on that, Peter. Yes, please. To all of your listeners, make sure you exercise that democratic right and get out and vote. Election day is 21st March. We have pre-poll polling period for the week before that, and there are telephone voting and other means by which to do that where that's appropriate. So it's that time and as always now and all the way through, really glad to have the opportunity to come on and talk. Peter, thank you for all the work you do all the time. I look forward to staying in close contact. Great to be back.
00:10:49
S1: Well, the best to you, Josh.
00:10:50
S2: Thanks very much, Peter. Bye for now.
00:10:53
S1: The shadow attorney general, also spokesperson for Aboriginal Affairs and also for child protection, and indeed the deputy leader for the Liberal Party. Josh, give us some time in this very busy time leading up to the election.
