Original subtitles

[Tires squeal, glass shatters]

[People screaming]

Man: Oh, fuck! [Panting]

♪♪

What the fuck?!

Woman: Get it on camera. Get it, get it.

Are you alright?

Reporter: It occurred around 4:00 p.m.,

witnesses capturing the incident on their mobile phones.

Passers-by rushed to the aid of the first victim.

Reporter 2: At first, it appeared

this may have been a terrible accident,

but soon it became clear this was something more sinister.

Woman 2: What are you doing?!

[Gunshot]Man 2: Hey!

[People screaming]

What are you doing?![Gunshot]

Woman 1: He just got out and shot her.

[People screaming]

Reporter 3: A concerned citizen paying the ultimate price.

The estranged husband had failed to turn up to a court hearing

concerning the custody of their children.

Reporter 4: Amidst the carnage,

a moment that can only be described as pure heroism.

Fucking happy?

Is this what you wanted?

Reporter 5: Winton woman Alexandra Irving

confronted the gunman,

acting as a human shield, bravely standing her ground.

Reporter 6: A moment recorded by many,

too confronting to show.

[Gunshot]

[People screaming and crying]

Reporter 7: Questions are being raised as to how the man,

subject to multiple intervention orders,

was able to procure a shotgun.

Authorities praised Ms. Irving's actions,

stating that the death toll would have been higher

had it not been for her intervention.

Reporter 8: ...from outside a courthouse in Mount Isa,

bringing the number of women killed

in violent crimes this year to 43.

Reporter 9: A regional health worker,

Miss Irving had traveled five hours to Mount Isa

that day to pay her mother's parking fines.

She has refused all requests for interviews.

And now on to finance.

The Australian share market...

♪♪

♪♪

♪ Watch out

♪ I'm a one-way ticket to a blood fight ♪

♪ Watch out

♪ Got a head full of thoughts that ain't right ♪

♪ Watch out

♪ There's a chip on my shoulder like a butcher's knife ♪

♪ Ain't nobody want to mess with me this time ♪

[Bird cawing]

Heya, Stephen. Alex.

I've got this one here for your boy.

Yeah, well, he'd like all of them.

But that's not the issue.

Am I gonna have to come out here again?

Is that a threat?

Yeah. You know why.

Cut out the soft drink. Take your pills.

And don't think just because you're a bloke,

you can stop mid-course

and flush 'em down the toilet, alright?

Then bring me out a couple of beers

to flush 'em down with. No.

I'll kill you myself if you don't take 'em.

Yeah, righto.

Well, take -- take all the dogs, then.

Take your meds. I don't want the meds either.

Your boy'll like the dogs. Yeah.

Well, take him this one.

Hughie, hop up. Hop up, Omo.

Omo, hop in.

Look. They all want to go with ya.

Stephen... Alex.

...take them mongrel dogs.Righto, boys, let's go.

We'd better go. Come on.

Get out of here. Omo.

Hughie.

[Whistles]

[Barks]

♪ Watch out

♪ I'm a one-way ticket to a blood fight ♪

♪ Watch out

♪ Gonna tease for you this time ♪

♪ Watch out

♪ There's a crack in the middle of the sky ♪

♪ Who will be the last one standing ♪

♪♪

♪ I'll be the last one standing ♪

♪ Nobody wanna mess with my kind ♪

Hello.

Can I help you?

I'm looking for Alexandra Irving.

Is she in?

You a journo? No.

Mormon, then.

You're wasting your time.

I'm from the Prime Minister's office.

My name's Jonathan Cosgrove.

Well, Alex isn't home from work yet.

Well, could I wait inside?

I like the decor.

93 years old.

Never missed a day's work in her life.

[Door closes]

Now, you show me someone else

who'll give that kind of service.

I agree with you, Mrs. Irving.

I'm a massive fan of the Queen.

Hey, Alex.

Yeah, good on ya!

Those bloody mob next door!

Here she is.I swear, I'm gonna kill 'em.

Miss Irving. Jonathan Cosgrove.

I left a couple of messages.

Manners.

I didn't ask him to come here.

Why'd you invite him inside, anyway?

Because it's my house.

You mind yourself, girl.

Okay, then.

Why?

Well, because Senator Hamish Gordon

has very selfishly gone and died,

and he's left the party without a majority in the Senate.

Gordon was a dickhead.

Yes. But he was our dickhead.

[Chuckles softly]

You know what I mean.

Why me?

Well, the Prime Minister's very impressed

with your commitment to local issues

while serving on the local council.

And furthermore, your track record of service

in the armed forces...

I was in transport.

...and your focus on personal responsibility

rather than welfare handouts show you to be

an ideal candidate to represent this government.

Don't bullshit me, Jonathan.

And you faced down a gunman.

The footage went viral.

We have an election in six months.

Thanks, but no.

She's offering you a seat in the Senate.

She wants me that badly, she can ask me herself.

Why would you say no?

It's a bloody stupid idea.

Look...

some say we have a woman problem...

No.

The problem is that you don't have enough women.

Well, the Prime Minister's a woman.

And she believes you're the right person for the Senate,

and I support her 100%.

[Chuckles]

See? Even you think it's bullshit.

Tell your mother thanks for the tea.

Yeah, it's alright for you, Charlie.

You probably get asked to go into Parliament every day.

Look, I still can't believe it.

We bust our asses for decades

and suddenly those right-wing pricks you voted for

go running after any black woman with a trending hashtag

and just throw her a seat in the Senate.

Alex. Alex?

Reception's crap. You're going in and out.

How's Mum?

Our roof needs fixing.

How's the student body treating you?

Be nice.

Honestly, sis...

...they just want a pet Aborigine.

Is that who you are?

It was a joke.

Obviously.

I'll talk to you later, Charlie.

[Glass shatters]

[Indistinct yelling, laughter]

♪♪

[Intercom buzzes]

[Buzzes repeatedly]

♪♪

Oi!

Oi, I'm talking to you.

Oi, dickhead.

If we was in an emergency, we'd be fucked!

Guard: Shut up, Maclean!

You gonna make me? Huh?

I've already told you, shut up in there!

Come on! Let me out!

Get your hand off that fucking bell!

-Open the door, you prick! -Come on!

Last chance in there.

Dickhead! Let me out!

Open the fucking door!

Come on, tough guy. Hurry up!

Alright, Maclean.

Suck on this.

♪♪

[Laughing]

[Coughing] Marce? You okay?

I can't breathe.

Grab my puffer!

[Coughing] Here.

Breathe. Help! Somebody help!

I can't breathe!

[Gasping]

Help! Somebody help!

[Coughing continues]

Someone! She can't breathe!

Help us! Somebody help!

She can't breathe!

Marce!

Marce!

Come on.

Marce.

♪♪

Marce?

Marcie!

♪♪

[Cell door buzzes, clangs]

♪♪

Guard 2: Come on. Move it along.

I said move!

Oh! Aah!

[Screams]

Oh, fuck! Oh! Oh!

-Fuck off! -Keep it down.

You bastard.

♪♪

[Siren wailing]

Oi! Oi!

♪♪

[Wailing continues]

♪♪

♪♪

[Airplane engine roaring]

You're taking a risk.

I know that, Peter.

The party can't put her in a neat little box.

That makes 'em nervous. Good.

[Spits]

[Vehicle approaches]

Mum.

Shit.

Hi. You must be Alexandra Irving.

Rachel Anderson.

Prime Minister.

Apparently you said I should come

and offer you the Senate position in person.

[Chuckles] Uh, you want to come inside?

You know what? We've been traveling all day.

How about we take a walk, you show me your town?

Yeah, sure.

Um, give me a minute.

Walk-and-talk, Peter.

Tell the blokes not to overreact.

You heard her.

Let's go.

[Birds chirping]

[Engine starts]

It's a great little town.

Woman 3: Hey!

Well, this region has one

of the highest unemployment rates

in the country.

There's no capital investment.

No programs scheduled.

What are you gonna do about it, run for local council again?

Well, with respect, Prime Minister,

what are you gonna do about it?

Whatever I can.

Listen.

Let's just say we're negotiating.

What would you want?

I want the bloody medical center to reopen.

Tell me about that.It's on the main street.

Mm.

You lot cut the funding.

I want to stop sending people to jail

because they haven't paid their fines.

I want a complete review of all the welfare

you mob throw at stupid bloody programs

that don't do anything for anyone.

And how are you gonna do that

if you refuse a seat at the table?

There's already Blackfellas at the table.

What has that achieved?

More than you will if you just stay here.

It's not just the Blackfellas.

The whole region needs effective representation.

Listen, Alex, what you did was incredible.

I want people like you, women like you, on my team.

How do you know I voted for you?

Well, from what I hear,

your mother is a diehard royalist.

Your father was a card-carrying National.

I figure the apple doesn't fall far from the tree.

Have you met my brother?

There's always exceptions to the rule.

Look, you've worked really hard to try to make changes

in your own community, you've had the occasional win,

but if you want to make big change,

generational change, the only way to do that

is through the power of government.

So, be your pet Aborigine? Is that it?

Alex, I'm seven months out from an election.

I've got a majority of one in the House, a hung Senate,

and a bunch of dickwads on my right

ready with a guillotine.

I don't need a pet. I need a fucking ally.

And by the sounds of things, so does everybody here.

♪♪

♪ Ohh

♪ In the light, I'll be waiting for you ♪

♪ Ohh

♪♪

♪ Ohh

♪ If you're right, I'll be waiting for you ♪

♪ Ohh

♪ Ohh

[Applause]

♪♪

Hey.

You're looking good out there, bub.

You know me and Nan would be okay?

If you went to Canberra.

Yeah, well, it's not happening, so let's forget about it.

I'm just saying, if you did.

Are you done?

Pizza for tea? What, again?

Yeah, alright.

♪♪

Is this what you wanted?

[Gunshot]

[Indistinct yelling, dog barking]

[Indistinct yelling continues]

♪ I'm on the edge of something

♪ Got an inch in my soul

♪ There's a fire in the middle of my calling ♪

♪♪

♪ I'm on the edge of something

♪ And it's gonna take time

♪ But I'm doing it for you

♪ Ahh

Reporter 10: An inspired choice or a desperate publicity stunt?

Prime Minister Rachel Anderson's recent captain's call

has raised more than a few eyebrows,

not just from outside her party...

Reporter 11: Reluctant national hero Alexandra Irving

has been thrust into the spotlight yet again.

In a shock move, she was sworn in today

as a senator for Queensland,

taking the seat of the recently deceased Hamish Gordon...

♪♪

♪♪

♪ I'm on the edge of something

♪ Possibly beautiful

Senator.

Jonathan.

I'm your chief adviser.

They didn't tell you?

No. They didn't.

Well, you can take it up with the PM

if you're unhappy about it.

She is fairly busy, though.

Well, thanks for coming to find me.

Well, you have a fairly busy day scheduled.

I hope you're ready.

Well, you're my chief adviser.

Why don't you advise me?

The Senate sits tomorrow,

and every vote will be crucial.

No pressure.

The government has three bills under discussion

and the crossbenchers will need wrangling as usual.

Fortunately, the PM has a degree in herding cats.

♪♪

That's Laurie Martin, Leader of the Opposition.

-How are we? -Hello.

Lanky charming snake.

We'll introduce you

to the President of the Senate,

but he's completely ineffectual,

so feel free to ignore him.

You'll have to make your maiden speech

before you can vote.

But we'll work on that.

You'll meet the Governor-General at 10:30

and swear an oath of allegiance

to Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth.

Bet that won't be a problem for you.

Uh, that's Damien Bauer, Minister for Immigration,

leader of the party's hard-right flank.

He's currently doing a wonderful job

of white-anting the PM.

We've booked you into a hotel.

Set up Internet, I.D., COMCAR account.

The passes are on your desk.

And... here we are.

Senator. [Clears throat]

-Talk to you later. Bye. -This is Jillian Morrell.

Media training.

She's your social-media strategist.

-So great to meet you, Senator. -Jillian.

And Tracey Helliar, your office manager.

Senator.

Nice to meet you, Tracey.

That your husband?Uh...no.

That was Senator Gordon.

This was his office.

[Clears throat]

Um...

briefing folders

for the Senate sitting tomorrow.

Uh, I've printed you an introduction

to Parliament House.

This is your I.D.

You can pick your art tomorrow.

Temporary passwords are on the Post-it notes.

Uh, is there anything else?

No. Okay.

Jonathan...

I'm looking forward to working together.

Senator.

[Sighs]

Well, given the fact

that she's friendless in the party room,

has no idea how the system works,

I'd say it's lucky you've got me here.

There are concerns she won't be a team player.

Isn't that why you've given her to me?

I'm glad she'll have your support.

Well, of course, I'll need some support myself.

Some recognition from the party

given how green she is.

Though, I'm far too tactful to ever point that out.

Maiden speech?

I'm on it.

Thank you, Jonathan.

[Door opens]

[Indistinct conversations]

[Gavel banging]

Rachel: Alright, let's get started, shall we?

Good afternoon, folks.

I would like to introduce our new colleague,

Senator Alex Irving.

[Applause]

Now, we all know of Alex's bravery,

but what you might be less familiar with

is her record of service,

11 years in the infantry, rising to rank of sergeant,

and three terms representing the party

on the local shire council.

Well done, Alex.

Damien.

Damien: Always a pleasure

to welcome a fellow Queenslander

to the trenches

and to notice that the, uh, Prime Minister

is fervently clinging

to the notion of a broad church.

That's very gracious of you, Damien.

I will remind you, however,

I was calculating the political benefits of that broad church

while you were still soiling the bed

after lights out at King's.

[Laughter]

Alright. First order of business.

Okay.Up first, we have...

Organize an internal poll.

Preferred PM, issues in the marginals.

Our eyes only? Yes.

Find a friendly, get it done on the side.

We need to find a gold vein and tap it fast.

Get ahead on an issue.

This party infighting is killing us.

Senator Irving?

Man 3: Sorry, ma'am. Not your car.

♪♪

Uh, sorry. No, no, that's, uh...

it's my car.

Sorry?

This...is my car.

Does it matter?

Have you got your booking number?

I don't know.Well, you're gonna need it.

Right. Thanks.

Hang about. Just...just a moment.

Hey, Amal, can you do me a favor and check

Senator Irving's booking number for me, please?

Cheers.

I saw there was another.

That's, uh, 12 this year.

It's a tragedy.

It'll be very interesting to see

what the Minister thinks.

236. It's 236.

Don't worry.

This palaver takes a little while to get used to.

Thanks for that.

Because I haven't been patronized enough today.

Fair enough.

Have a good evening, Senator Irving.

-236? -Yes.

Yeah, of course it fuckin' is.

Ha!

[Engine starts]

Don't be stingy.

[Chortles]

How are you feeling, Dad?

Old and fed up.

What about you, pet? Hmm?

God, you look dreadful.

Oh! Nice to see you, too, Dad.

Yeah, no, I've got a bit on at the moment.

Oh, Christ, Rachel.

Those bastards overwork you.

When are they gonna make you a partner?

I always thought you were wasted in the law.

You could have made a go of it in politics.

I'm not in the law anymore, Dad.

Eh? The law.

Haven't been a lawyer for 20 years.

Well...

politics wouldn't be a bad life...

but geez, you'd need a sense of humor.

[Chuckling]

Yeah.

Faruqi: The reality is that my presence in the Senate

is an affront to some.

They are offended that people of color and Muslims

have the audacity to not only exist

but to open our mouths and join the public debate.

Some politicians call us cockroaches.

Some say we are a disease...

[Knock on door]

...which Australia needs vaccination for.

Some, if they had their way,

would ban us from making Australia our home.

So it is with great pride I stand here before you...

Hello, Senator.You mad bastard.

-Thank you for coming. -Oh, no worries.

Sydney's not that far.

So, what are you gonna say?Oh, yeah.

I've got my latte-sipping socialist brother

reading my maiden speech.Yeah.

[Sighs]

That's how you're gonna start it?

What's wrong with it?

Say it for me.

What, now? Yeah, now.

[Sighs]

Okay.

[Clears throat]

"Thank you, Mr. Speaker..."No, no.

Stand up and do it like you're gonna do it.

[Sighs]

"Thank you, Mr. Speaker."

"I wanted to speak to you in my traditional language,

but I can't.

My mother was sent to an Aboriginal reserve

when she was a child,

and those words were taken from her,

so the only language I know is English.

But look how far we've come.

My name is Alex Irving, and I'm standing here

before you in the Senate of Australia.

I thought this place wasn't for someone like me.

Not just because I'm black, but also because I'm female,

from regional Queensland,

[Voice breaking] because I left school at 14..."

...because I'm a single mum...

...and because my own mother

was stolen and grew up on the mission.

But I'm an Australian.

And if I'm here, that means any one of us can be here.

And if this place is ever barred to any one of us,

then the building around us

doesn't deserve to keep on standing,

let alone the Parliament that meets here."

This is fuckin' stupid.

Jesus, Alex, shut up.

You're gonna be amazing.

You reckon?

Yeah. I know it.

How do you feel?

Terrified.

[Crickets chirping, dog barks in distance]

♪♪

♪♪

♪♪

Marcie: Dickhead! Let me out!

Open the fucking door!

Come on, tough guy. Hurry up!

Guard 1: Alright, Maclean. Suck on this.

Reporter 12: The Prime Minister will regain

the balance of power in the Senate today.

Newly appointed senator Alex Irving's crucial vote

will ensure three government bills

will be passed later today,

relieving significant delays for the government.

And now on to finance. The Australian share market...

Thank you, Rowan.

I won't forget what you've done for me.

Yeah, you too.

Bye. Sorry.

Had to kick some heads in Adelaide.

They still think not having convicts makes them special.

How's your office?

It's good, thanks.

This doesn't have to be a girlie catch-up.

Jonathan's competent,

but he's working for himself, not me.

I can have him moved.

No. He'll be good for me.

The others are fine.

Talk to him about your wardrobe.

He'll have some ideas.

Otherwise, you'll front the press

wanting to talk about domestic violence

and all they'll want to talk about is the size of your ass.

Are you fucking anyone at the moment?

Don't look shocked. Some Neanderthal will find out

and throw it in your face if you are.

Don't fuck the wrong people.

Who are the right people?

Jack, go round again.

Don't fuck your staff.

Shouldn't be an issue for you

unless there's something about you I don't know.

Other members' staff are fair game.

Don't fuck across the aisle. Don't fuck leadership.

And just remember, the rules are always different for you.

Because I'm black.

I was gonna say because you're a woman.

How do you deal with it?

Oh. Uh...

I'm always prepared.

I trust my chief of staff.

Put this face on in the mirror,

make sure nothing's ever out of place.

I leave myself at the door when I go into the world

and I never forget what it is I set out to do.

[Cellphone dings]

Good luck with your speech, Alex.

We'll all be watching.

Hard copy of your maiden speech.

Don't need it.

Senator, I...

Nup.

The chamber is this way.

And it's "Mr. President."

You've written "Mr. Speaker."

[Scoffs]

This speech has been cleared

by the Prime Minister's office.

Yeah. I read the e-mail.

I briefed you yesterday.

Yes, and you said that I need to speak

before my vote could be recognized.

And this is what you'll be saying.

Don't tell me what I'm gonna say.

The Prime Minister invited you personally

to take the seat in the chamber.

There was significant opposition in the party room.

The party rewards team players.

You toe the line, you get to stay.

You step off that line and you're gone and you can forget

whatever it is you wanted to achieve.

What do you know about what I want to achieve?

I know whatever it is, you won't get anything done

if you're not here.

Now, I've written a speech that won't offend anyone

and ensures you get to stick around a bit longer.

Can you really say the same about yours?

[Sighs]

♪♪

♪♪

Mortensen: This is all to say that the government takes

an unconscionable proportion, an unconscionable proportion,

of our incomes while obsessing over private matters

that it has no business trying to police.

Now, the end result is a nanny state,

a nanny state that steals our money

and treats us like children. -[Sighs]

Relax the gun laws and do it now.

President: Thank you, Senator Mortensen.

Before I call Senator Irving, I remind the honorable members

that this is her first speech

and therefore, the usual courtesies be extended to her.

Senator Irving.

♪♪

[Sighs]

♪♪

♪♪

Mr. President...

I'm deeply honored to represent the great state of Queensland

in this Parliament,

and I will do this with hard work

and respect for my fellow Queenslanders,

upholding the values of our great democracy,

with every citizen free

and empowered to live their own lives.

And I say to the people of Queensland,

I'm here for all of you,

regardless of color, background or belief.

The party I join believes the best way forward

is for us all to take individual responsibility

for our own lives...

♪♪

[Door closes]

...free to work hard and free to make our own choices."

"Finally, I'd like to thank the party and the chamber

for this opportunity to represent my state.

I won't take that responsibility lightly."

[Applause]

Mr. President: Thank you, Senator Irving.

We now move to notice of motion 1466,

also standing in the name of Senator Rankin.

♪♪

♪♪

♪♪

[Indistinct conversations]

What the fuck is that?

♪♪

[Billiard balls clacking]

Thank you.

♪♪

[Indistinct conversations]

-Cheers, mate. -Great, cheers to you, too.

♪♪

♪♪

♪♪

♪♪

Are you a politician?

No. I'm an electrician.

Good enough.

Woman 4: The way the press were carrying on,

I thought he might...

Man 4: My minister can barely send an e-mail,

let alone wander unsupervised onto social media.

Hey, at least he didn't try to bust some rhymes.

Yeah, true.He's still recovering.

Oh, 12:00.

Oh. Who's the new boy?

Christopher something.

Cartwright's new private secretary.

Usual rules?

♪♪

Seriously.

Where does Cartwright find them?

-Who cares? -I hope he's straight.

If he is, he's just another drink away from gay.

[Laughter]

♪♪

♪ Ahhh

♪ Ahhh

♪ Ahhh

♪ Nothing at all

♪ Empty all my pockets and take what you like ♪

♪ Ahhh

♪ Empty all my pockets if you like ♪

♪ Ahhh ♪ I've got nothing to hide

♪♪

Man on radio: ...will join the squad

for their first training session at Marlborough College today,

venue for Australia's three-day tour match

against England Women's Academy, which starts tomorrow.

Australia holds a six-point lead in the multi-format series,

having won the first of three one-day internationals,

with a chance to win three

T20 internationals still to be played.

The Ashes is awarded to the team that accrues the most points...

♪♪

♪♪

Morning.

-Morning. -Morning.

[Sighs]

Apparently, a young Indigenous woman died

in the Macauley Detention Center two weeks ago.

This is the 12th this year, and I knew nothing about it.

I want a meeting with the Minister for Indigenous Affairs.

Kevin Cartwright.

Yeah. [Clears throat]

♪♪

[Sighs]

[Knock on door]

[Door opens]

Just a reminder,

you've got morning briefing on Channel 10,

so you'll be leaving shortly, and it's live.

You've also got a price tag hanging off your jacket.

[Sighs]

[Cellphone ringing]

Leave it. You have to focus.

You don't think I can do this.

It's just a puff piece. You'll be fine.

I'm not talking about the bloody interview.

Mum. You okay?

Look, I know you're busy and I don't want to get you upset,

but Eddie's that bloody angry...

What? Hang on.

What? Why is Eddie angry?

Why should I be upset?

All our mob up here,

they're shooting their mouths off about you.

What are they saying?They're saying, well...

they saw that speech of yours

and they're calling you a sell-out.

The nerve of them calling you a coconut!

I told them all to back off.

And Eddie's fine, so you don't have to worry about that.

-Two minutes, Senator. -I thought you should know.

It's all good, Mum. I gotta go, okay?

Bye.

You have to focus.

If they move on to policy, you have to steer away

from anything about the leadership or China.

-Sorry. -Exports...

Senator?

[Breathing heavily]

♪♪

[Gunshot]

[Breathing heavily]

♪♪

♪♪

Alex: Fucking happy? Is this what you wanted?

[Breathing heavily]

Well?!

♪♪

[Gunshot]

[Knocking on door]

Woman 5: Senator Irving? Are you okay?

[Knocking on door]

It's time. We need you in the studio.

Yep. I'll be there in a second.

♪♪

♪♪

[Sighs]

Yes. We're...

[Sighs]

[Theme music playing]

♪♪

Standing by.

5...

4...

3...

Welcome, Alex Irving.

Or, should I say, Senator Irving?

Thanks for being here.

Now, what you did

with the Mount Isa Magistrates Court

was extraordinarily brave.

Of course, what everyone wants to know is,

what did you say to that gunman?

I'm not here to talk about that, Sam.

This was an iconic moment, Alex,

that has captured the imagination...

No, I'm here to talk about my new role

as senator for Queensland.

Well, the government

essentially has a one-seat majority

in the Senate, and the latest polls are saying

that this is gonna be an incredibly close election.

Now, you have had no experience in the Parliament.

Why shouldn't the public think that your appointment

isn't just a cynical stunt to get votes

as we head toward the election?

They might be right.

I... I can understand that

me being here in Canberra

seems like the most cynical publicity stunt possible.

A very smart woman told me that...

I should leave myself at the door

when I walk into Parliament.

But I'm not sure that I agree.

Senator, are you saying that your...

Sorry, can I just, um...

These heels are killing me,

and I'm just gonna take them off.

Are you... you okay, Senator?

No, no. Not really.

I...just had a panic attack in the studio toilets,

and these heels are making it worse.

Is this in response to the Mount Isa incident?

No.

No, because...

every day of my life,

I feel like that I'm constantly under threat.

And I think that

some of your viewers would feel it, too.

Not just the Blackfellas.

So, that's why I'm here. I'm...

I'm barefoot in your studio because I am sick and tired

of pretending that everything is okay.

A 16-year-old Indigenous woman

died in detention two weeks ago.

She had an asthma attack.

Her name was Marcie Maclean.

Now, when I talk about... being under threat,

she's who I'm talking about.

I'm talking about the woman who was mowed down

by her husband in front of the courthouse

and the woman who lost her life just trying to help.

I'm talking about people from a town

who can't do anything because they're --

they're black, they're poor, they're female.

And the list goes on.

♪♪

But if I can be here...

as I am...

and if I can stand up in the Senate, then anyone can.

♪♪

Publicity stunt or not, that's why I'm here.

♪♪

Thank you, Senator Irving.

♪♪

Her name was Marcie Maclean.

Christopher?Yes, Minister Cartwright?

A young woman died

in the Macauley Detention Center

a couple of weeks ago, last name Maclean.

I'd like the details, please. Sure.

Man on radio: Newly appointed Senator Alex Irving has come out

swinging this morning in one of the most honest

and raw interviews by a politician in recent memory.

Alex: Every day of my life,

I feel like that I'm constantly under threat.

And I think that

some of your viewers would feel it, too.

Not just the Blackfellas.

So that's why I'm here.

I'm barefoot in your studio because I am sick and tired

of pretending that everything is okay.

Her comments have put Indigenous Affairs Minister

Kevin Cartwright in the firing line

as she drew attention to the recent death

in custody of 16-year-old Marcie Maclean.

Reporter 13: Many are now calling the PM's decision to appoint

Senator Irving a masterstroke as we head towards the election.

Jillian: Honestly, I cannot believe this.

Senator.

We are getting a lot of traffic off the back of this morning.

Hashtag barefootsenator is trending on Twitter.

Thanks, Jillian.

And, Tracey... Hmm?

Maybe it's time for Senator Gordon to go.

♪♪

[Sighs]

Alex: Um, look, my mum's racked up some fines

and I just want to sort it out,

it's not gonna be a problem, is it?

Woman 6: Hmm. Maybe.

She already has a scheduled court date.

It's too late.

Look, I've got the money now. Can I just pay?

What's this?

"Pay the rent"?

[Chuckles]

It's just a reminder.

The clinic's a couple of hours' drive from her home.

Then she has to wait ages at the doctor's,

and then she comes out

and gets a ticket on her windscreen.

I'm sorry.

I can't help you. Next!

♪♪

Black bitch.

♪♪

♪ Oh, no, you didn't

♪ Uh-huh

♪ You didn't just go there

♪ Uh-huh, hey, uh-huh

♪ Keep pulling at the...

♪♪

♪ Ah, ah, no, you didn't

♪ You didn't push me again

♪ Yeah

♪ I've got a memory like an elephant ♪

♪ Honey, I never forget

♪ They call me the collector

♪ Uh-huh, uh-huh

♪ I keep tabs on who's been bad ♪

♪ Uh-huh, uh-huh

♪ They call me the collector

♪ Uh-huh, yeah, uh-huh

♪ Ha, uh-huh

♪ And when the day comes, sonny, to collect the money ♪

♪ Better believe I'll be back

♪ Uh-huh, hey

♪ Uh-huh, ha

♪ Un-huh, hey

♪ Un-huh

♪ Uh-huh, hey

♪ Uh-huh

♪ Uh-huh, hey

♪ Uh-huh