Original subtitles

- Philippa, welcome.

Um, do you know everyone?

Uh, you remember George, of course, Shaun Keogh,

Justin Yang, and Rachel Anderson.

Alright. Well, thanks for coming, everyone.

Shall we start?

- But all eyes are focused on the lower house

with pressure mounting now on the bloc of independents

to resolve the political deadlock.

- Now, if we can work together,

we can bring those parties under our control.

- They're stacking the branch. - What?

- They're trying to pressure me out.

- Those bastards.

- City member Helena Rossi has held the seat of Lennox.

The people of this electorate have shown

that they're sick of bully boys from the backroom

treating them with contempt.

- Your lot don't get to tell us what to do anymore.

- My lot? - Can't say that.

That's racist.

Can't say that. That's... That's sexist.

- [Gasps]

- Does this mean you're dropping the inquiry?

- No, it means we're still working on it.

- Doesn't this kill you?

- Every fucking day.

- He calls himself Bait15.

It's getting more and more violent.

- Leo found him.

- Read them! Or so fucking help me God,

I will post your photo online

with everything that you've said to me.

- "You are a dirty whore and a terrible mother."

- You were right.

I shouldn't have gone.

♪♪

[Door opens]

- You okay? - Yeah.

He was just a kid in a nice house

with a mom who loves him,

and he still said all those things.

- W-What do you want to do now?

- I'm tired, Joely.

[Knock on door]

[Knock on door]

Is someone going to get that?

♪♪

- I've been calling.

- My phone is on silent.

Why are you here?

- Damien is confident he's got the numbers.

- Damien's bluffing.

- Well, he's briefed several journos.

He's notified the clerk and the Governor General

to expect a vote in the House.

Are you backing Damien Bauer?

- We haven't made any decisions.

- Then who's going behind your back?

Because someone is.

- We haven't made any decisions

'cause neither of the parties have responded yet.

Damien needs four seats and you need three.

I'd know if there were that many of us wavering.

- Laurie's going spare. - Laurie can wait.

♪♪

- Maybe this will help.

♪♪

Draft legislation outlining the key demands

from the independents,

including provisions for a federal anti-corruption body

with teeth so this never happens again.

♪♪

I've made copies for everyone.

We need to move, Alex, now.

♪♪

- Well, it's a start.

- Who elected you?

[Cellphone ringing]

- Oh, sorry.

That was me.

[Ringing stops]

[Cellphone vibrates]

- Go on.

- Well, as you know, Paul Murphy approached me,

and I think he's trying to show good faith.

They've addressed our key concerns.

[Cellphone ringing]

Cyberbullying... [Ringing stops]

regional health and infrastructure,

virtual integrity.

Price on carbon remains difficult for them as for us.

- Was it difficult for Canada and New Zealand,

Germany, Denmark, India, Japan?

[Cellphone ringing]

[Another cellphone ringing]

[Third cellphone ringing]

- Oh, for fuck's sake.

Can everyone put their phone in the middle?

Look, I know we have journos ringing every minute.

I know everyone wants an answer. I know people think

that we're holding this country to ransom.

We have finally got something concrete on the table.

We use Laurie's response to put pressure on Bauer,

and no one makes a deal with either party

until Bauer gives his formal response.

- You seem to have a close relationship with Paul.

- He's a useful back channel, as is Peter Solomon with Rachel.

- How do we know that you're not making a deal yourself?

- Why are you saying that, Philippa?

- Because I'm concerned that some of us

might be left behind once we've outlived our usefulness.

- This is draft legislation.

- Have you even looked through it?

I mean, I've barely skimmed it, and I already have concerns...

- And they can be addressed.

- Alex, this is my area. I campaigned on it.

Now, if we're going to go into this kind of detail,

I want to have a say in the discussions.

- You do seem tight with Paul. - Yeah.

- Are you saying that just because he's Black?

- Jesus Christ, we're there already!

- Come on, Alex. Look at me.

You wanted us to lay our cards out,

but you haven't been honest.

- I have always been honest with you, Justin.

- So which way are you leaning now?

Laurie made promises to me when I was campaigning.

He honored none of them.

I don't trust him, and I don't like him.

There were rumors that we were having an affair,

the usual way we discredit women around here.

Now you want to bring that back at me as well?

Damien Bauer, he's a populist.

He thinks the best way to get power

is to punch down the vulnerable.

I can't stand him either.

- So who are you supporting?

- I'm supporting anyone who gives us the better deal.

That means for all of us.

- Thank you, that helps.

- [Sighs]

Does anyone want to flag anything else?

- I'm good. - I'm entertained.

- Philippa?

♪♪

I thought we were going to read and discuss.

- I'd just feel much more comfortable reading this

in my hotel.

♪♪

[Door opens, closes]

♪♪

- Have you read the draft? - I have, looks promising.

How's morale?

- I'm worried about Philippa,

and Paul thinks people are making deals with Damien.

Have you heard anything?

- No.

- Do you know where they stand on our positions?

- Yeah, look, they should have a preliminary response tomorrow.

I could put a call in to Damien, see if I can get an early read.

- Right then.

- Talk tomorrow?

- Talk then.

♪♪

- How is she?

- She's worried.

I think she might be testing me.

- She's a fighter, I'll give her that.

- Any thoughts on the draft?

- It's kind of like a show bag...

It's filled with shiny toys that are going to break

as soon as everyone gets home.

Killed the price on carbon.

They've set emissions targets and offered a rebate

on electric vehicles. - Nice.

- They've agreed to cyberbullying legislation,

but of course that's just going to terrify free speechers.

- Oh, free speech terrifies the free speechers.

What about the independent commission against corruption

and the inquiry into the girls?

- That's not an inquiry, that's a witch hunt,

and you'll end up in front of it.

You can't agree to that.

♪♪

- Alex will be furious.

Do we want to bring this to a head?

- Not yet.

We'll tell her that you'll accept an inquiry

into the girls only, with a limit on the terms of reference,

and then you string her along as much as you can.

♪♪

- Sounds like a plan.

♪♪

[Lounge music plays]

- Philippa. - Is this an OK time to talk?

- Yeah, of course. - I ran this by my team,

and I've got concerns on a number of points.

I've made initial notes.

Now, we understand it's a draft, but we have to make

absolutely sure that we're consulted

on all aspects of the process from now on.

- Of course.

Thank you. I was hoping we could work like this.

Um, what are you having?

♪♪

- I'll have a rosé. - Any preference?

- House is fine. - Yeah, sure.

- So how are you?

♪♪

- I have to be honest,

I wasn't prepared for this kind of pressure,

and my campaign office has been vandalized.

I got journos outside the hotel,

phone calls and texts all the time.

They even bailed up my dad at the local bowls.

- You can never be prepared for it.

Are you getting any sleep?

- No. - Same.

I meant to ask...

- Rosé. - Hmm?

- Why is this your issue?

- An online hate campaign ripped through our local school.

It started with the kids and then spread,

got more and more violent.

"Kill yourself. No one will care."

Eventually, it seemed like everyone in the community

was caught up in it.

- Your family?

♪♪

- We're okay.

My sister's kids aren't cutting themselves anymore...

♪♪

But no one trusts anyone now.

That's all gone.

♪♪

- And this is the hill that you'll die on?

- Yeah. It's like your inquiry into those two girls.

♪♪

I always admired that.

- I'll get it done, Philippa.

I promise.

♪♪

- [Sighs]

♪♪

- [Sighs]

♪♪

Woman: Around the capitol...

[Cellphone ringing]

Hey, bud.

- Mom?

- You okay?

- Why is there a photographer outside our house?

He's in a car, got a massive camera, and he's taking photos.

Can I go out there and punch him?

- What do you reckon? - Alright.

But the world is ending.

White capitalism is killing us, but, sure,

take photos of kids, you pedo.

Those are the cards you're talking about, right?

- That's right. - Well, they're fucked.

- Yeah, they are.

Does Faye and Rob know?

- I don't know.

- Well, bloody tell them.

- Gotta go. - Alright. Love you.

[News playing on TV]

- Hang on, George.

We've lost Justin.

Bauer is holding a press conference.

Apparently they've found mutual agreements.

- The race for the prime ministership

has taken another turn,

with West Australian MP Justin Yang...

[Thud]

- The first of the independents...

- I'm gonna talk to the others.

- Yeah, we're watching it now.

Alright. Be in touch.

- A shared belief in small business...

♪♪

- No, I am not here!

- Nice try, George.

♪♪

- Of course the majors have been in touch with all of us.

Well, not through the official channels of course,

but they get their point across.

- Phone messages, e-mails, when they pass you in the corridor.

I had a chief of staff reach out on Tinder.

- What are they offering?

- Price on carbon, social housing,

loosening of personal pronouns in official communiques.

- An upgrade in port facilities, two solar farms, and a highway.

- I need you to follow up on Damien.

Oh, Jesus, Charlie, just... Just keep on to him.

♪♪

[Sighs]

Oh, come on, Philippa.

♪♪

- Just Laurie's mob of course.

- His mob? - Damien would rather waste away

on the backbench than negotiate with us.

- What are you telling them?

- Oh, I tell them I'm taking absolutely no meetings

outside the bloc, that quite frankly what they're

offering at the moment is a fucking insult,

and when their balls have dropped,

they can come back and offer me something better.

- Whatever they're offering me,

it won't be what we can get as a bloc.

But my mom can't risk not making government.

- There's still time.

- Not everyone can play your game of chicken, Alex.

George and I pretty much cancel each other out,

which means it's going to come down to you,

Rachel, and Philippa.

- Philippa, it's Alex.

I know we're under a lot of pressure.

Rachel said that we'd get a response

from Damien this morning.

Call me back, please, as soon as you can.

♪♪

[Cellphone ringing]

♪♪

Damien.

- Ah, Alex, unannounced as usual.

You bring any of your country cousins

or marnies around this time?

- Not this time. Is he?

[Telephones ringing]

You've had our list for some time.

Where's your response?

- Oh, I've read your ask, Alex,

and to be honest it's a lot to take on.

- Laurie has responded. Maybe he wants it more.

- And you're confident the others will stick together, are you?

- You still need three seats.

- Ah, so we can both count.

Is there anything else you want to say?

- Yeah, lose the attitude.

- I should inform you that I've terminated

Henry Whittacker's employment in the department.

- What? - Well, it goes without saying

he was working entirely of his own volition,

and neither I or anyone else in the party

had any idea what he was doing.

It wasn't until the network approached me for comment...

- The network? - Yeah.

Oh, it's all over the news, Alex.

♪♪

He's in the hospital now, apparently.

♪♪

Couldn't you have docked him?

♪♪

- media interest after he was identified

as the online troll behind...

- Poor Henry. - Campaign of abuse...

- His father will be devastated.

He's now recovering from his injuries.

- So how's your boss?

- Oh, still feeling confident.

- Really? He should be shitting himself.

- I wouldn't disagree.

- Listen, Peter, I said some things that were unfair.

I wasn't my best self,

and I do hope that you can accept my apology.

- Thank you.

- And for what it's worth, I'm glad you kept your job.

- Hmm, well, if Damien doesn't achieve government, he's done.

The coup against you would have been for nothing.

Your old ministers are not happy backbenchers.

- You think he's terminal?

- Well, his one chance of survival

is peeling off the independents,

and he'll sell his grandmother to get that done.

- Mm. - But even then,

the knives are out.

He promised them a majority.

- Where do you think that might leave me?

- Well, the right will never openly back you,

but you do have allies across the center.

But this, um... this dance with Laurie has to stop.

It's starting to damage you.

Now, back Damien.

Let him form government and take foreign affairs.

You jet around the world for 12 months,

boosting your approval ratings while I work the numbers.

- Razor-thin majority. Let's say I make a move in a year.

How many would we lose?

- Damien would go back to business,

so you'd be facing a by-election in Queensland,

but it's a safe seat. - Hmm.

- And others would complain, but, uh,

they'd be open to persuasion.

- What about Alex? Is there room for her?

- I... I have to say, I'm surprised

that you would even contemplate that.

That woman has done us both significant damage.

♪♪

- I know.

You did warn me.

♪♪

- Distressing scenes in Canberra today

as emergency services responded to an incident

at a residential address in Downer,

reported to be the home of

the young prime ministerial staffer at the center of

the Alex Irving cyber abuse scandal.

The incident occurred shortly after the man's identity

was released online,

prompting unconfirmed reports from some commentators

that Ms. Irving's office is responsible for the leak.

The man is recovering in hospital

and reported to be in a stable condition.

A statement released by the family

requested privacy at this difficult time,

and a reminder...

♪♪

[Camera shutters clicking]

[Muffled speech]

♪♪

[Crowd shouting indistinctly]

♪♪

- You released Bait15's identity.

It was you.

The four of us had the details.

It wasn't me, and I know it wasn't Leo or Joely.

You were the one who talked about a clean campaign!

- Yeah, while you were copping all the abuse,

this prick said that he would rape you in front of Eddie.

- I know what he said. I remember all of it!

I promised I wouldn't name him! - Well, I didn't!

Look, I could resign,

but they'd take that as me taking the hit for you, okay?

They'd say that you were weak, and they'd tear you apart.

- Hang on. Why have we got to tell anyone who doxed him?

- It'll come out eventually. I'm surprised it hasn't already.

- It wasn't your call! - I'm your brother.

- Oh, what the fuck has that got to do with anything?

- You should sack me. - This is not your decision!

You think I'd look strong if I go out there

and said that I had no idea that you were going to name him?

It makes me look powerful?

- You wouldn't let us go with you, okay?

You couldn't be stopped.

He could've killed you out there, Ally.

- And doxxing him was going to make any difference?

- What the hell else was I going to do?

♪♪

Tell me, what?

- It wasn't your fucking call, Charlie!

♪♪

I'm taking the responsibility for the naming of that boy.

- Can you be more specific?

- No.

- Did you dox him, Alex?

Did you release his data, Alex?

- The buck stops with me, Philippa.

- That's not what I'm asking.

♪♪

Why didn't you reach out to me?

I'm all over this issue.

- I know. - I could have helped.

- I know. - [Sighs]

♪♪

- You don't leave me any choice, Alex.

- Philippa, please.

- No, I can't be a hypocrite on this.

A young man whose personal data is released online.

- He's not the victim.

- Well, according to the media he is now.

♪♪

I'm sorry, Alex.

I'm backing Damien.

♪♪

- Have you got anything to drink?

[Car horns honking]

Yeah, bourbon.

That's what I call it when I go cruising in the suburbs.

I know you think you fucked everything up,

but I kind of wish I'd done it myself.

How are we supposed to fight when they can do what they want?

- It's all structural.

- It's over-fucking-whelming is what it is.

How does she keep going?

- She's always had the fight in her.

That's just who she is.

I was never as brave as she was.

I always had to think things through,

wait for things to be perfect.

Nah, she never does.

- Well, doxxing that dickhead

was a pretty Alex move, don't you reckon?

- Tell her that.

- Pretty shit way to run the country, isn't it?

Charlie, you know, when I first did this,

I did it just to spite Alex,

but I just freaking love her now.

She is brave, eh?

You're all right, brus.

You know you look like Black Clark Kent,

Black Superman?

♪♪

Don't tell anyone I was being sweet.

- [Chuckles]

♪♪

♪♪

- Yvonne used to say I looked like the queen,

and I've got better legs than Old Liz.

I'm just cranky I didn't get to score us entry.

Got me a telegram from me old girl.

♪♪

You've always had a fire in you, ever since you was little.

♪♪

You better make sure you don't burn out.

♪♪

Tell me what you can do.

♪♪

[Rattling, voice echoes]

♪♪

[Cart rattling]

♪♪

- Ma'am? Are you all right?

♪♪

[Cellphone ringing]

♪♪

- [Crying] Hey, bud.

- Mom?

You okay?

[Hyperventilating]

♪♪

Mom?

- Yeah? - You sent me an empty text.

- [Hyperventilating]

- You having trouble breathing again?

- Yeah.

Can you... [Hyperventilating] Can you just stay there?

I'll be okay, I just... [Crying]

- Of course. I'll be here. Alright?

♪♪

- [Crying]

♪♪

- You still there?

- Of course I am.

- I'm sorry, I didn't want you to hear that.

- Mom, it's all right.

♪♪

- Thank you.

I'm sorry I woke you.

- I was awake anyways.

- Eddie, what were you doing?

- Snapchatting Carly.

- [Chuckles] Her mom and dad is going to be pissed off.

- They've got no idea.

♪♪

You okay?

♪♪

- Yeah, I'm okay.

♪♪

Thank you.

Go to bed, alright?

- Alright.

Love you.

- [Sniffles]

♪♪

[Panting]

♪♪

♪♪

[Knock on door]

♪♪

- Alex.

- I lost Philippa.

George and Shaun are yet to declare,

but we both know where they'll go.

I'm pretty sure you've made up your mind, am I right?

- I heard about Henry.

- He was working in the Prime Minister's press office.

- He's to son of my old branch secretary.

I had no idea what he was doing.

- He said he was going to rape me.

- Oh, Christ.

What the fuck is wrong with these men?

Coffee?

I get threats like that. Most of the female members do,

but nothing like what you've copped.

- Have you made up your mind?

- Milk?

[Cups clattering]

You know, I was always told it was a mistake

to have friends in politics,

better off thinking of people as enemies and allies.

- Sounds bleak. - Well, you've been

in Parliament. Not a lot of rational actors,

and the ratfuckery is off the charts.

I did have a good friend though.

- Not me, I'm guessing.

- Helena Rossi, Howard Clyde's daughter.

Did you get to know her?

- Yeah. Yeah, she backed...

- Yeah, great girl, one of the few

that didn't fold in the coup,

and that put her in the crosshairs.

She lost her ministry. They threatened a preselection,

and now that she's won a seat, they're backgrounding

that she's had a nervous breakdown.

I mean, this is her own party.

- It was your party.

Why are you telling me this?

- Because it's a crime how this country

takes smart, competent women and tries to destroy them.

♪♪

I wish we could have been friends, Alex.

It just wouldn't have been worth it.

- For you.

- For either of us.

♪♪

[Camera shutter clicking]

- Dinner will be ready at 5!

[Shutter continues clicking]

- Faye? - He's still here.

- What'd the police say?

- That he's not breaking any laws.

- How are the kids?

- I won't let them go outside.

- Jesus, Faye, I'm so sorry.

- Look, don't apologize.

You just kick their fucking asses, okay?

♪♪

[Crowd shouting]

[Camera shutters clicking]

- Mrs. Irving, have the independents

come to a decision yet? - Do you take responsibility

for the attempted suicide of Henry Whittacker?

- Ms. Irving! Ms. Irving!

He's described you as holding the country for ransom.

Do you have any response?

[All talking indistinctly]

- Do you feel responsible for the attempted suicide

of Henry Whittacker?

♪♪

[Footsteps approaching]

- Where's Boy Wonder?

- Nick couldn't make it. - And no Rachel either?

Has she bailed?

- Rachel finds that she's unable to back my key provisions.

- I should let you know Damien has offered me an airport.

- And Laurie has firmed on a price for carbon.

- There will never be a carbon price, huh?

- I'll take my chances.

- So will I.

- And those are your decisions?

♪♪

- This has been memorable.

♪♪

[Cellphone vibrating]

♪♪

- This has been an uncertain and dangerous time,

but I have good news.

George Jeffries, the member for Illingworth,

approached me earlier today indicating his support

for our policies of jobs and opportunity,

and the member for North Sydney, Rachel Anderson,

has backed me as the man most qualified to lead this country.

And I thank the former prime minister for her support.

It's good to have friends across the Parliament.

♪♪

My team is unified and ready,

and I'll be contacting the Governor General to ask

that he convene Parliament at the earliest opportunity

to test my majority on the floor of the House.

Being the prime minister of this country

is the greatest honor I could think of,

and I will be a prime minister for all...

♪♪

- Joely?

- What?

- I need a phone number.

- Who?

- Helena Rossi.

♪♪

I know how tough things are for you right now.

- Why do you say that? What have you heard?

- Nothing I believe.

It's no secret how they've treated you.

- I know the stories about you too.

- Then I'm not the only woman they're trying

to run out of the place.

- I heard about what that boy did to you.

It's terrible.

- Thank you.

[Birds chirping]

What do you want to achieve in the next 3 years?

- I have to say...

I'm thinking of walking away.

I just... can't do it anymore.

The girls...

[voice breaking] and it's cost me my marriage.

♪♪

- The way I see it, you've got three choices.

One, step down now, trigger a by-election.

Two, hang on the backbench for the next 3 years

while they gaslight you.

♪♪

Or three, sit on the crossbench with me.

♪♪

Do something worthwhile with that vote of yours,

and we make our kids proud.

♪♪

Whatever you do, I swear I will have your back.

♪♪

- Rachel said you'd be persuasive.

♪♪

- [Sighs]

♪♪

[Indistinct conversations]

♪♪

- But...

Oh, Jesus. What do you want?

- I wanted to talk about how we go forward.

- What? [Chuckles] You're going to do that

by just barging on in here?

- Yeah. - Oh, Jesus Christ.

Alex, I don't think anyone has alluded you to the fact

that your little book club of independents has ditched you.

- It's still close, Laurie.

- Hats off to you for trying to play in the big kids' sandpit,

but you fucked it royally.

No one will ever listen to you again.

No one will care.

- You still have to deal with the crossbench.

- That would be who, uh,

you and that fucking cross-eyed kumbaya kid?

- Yeah, Laurie... - Nah, look around.

There's nobody else.

[Chuckles] I'll tell you what's going to happen.

When Parliament resumes, you can talk to the whips.

You can even have a chance with Paul here

if he can be bothered talking to you,

but I am not going to waste any more of my time on a...

An amateur.

Now, mate, I'm sorry about this, but you see her out, please?

- Sure.

- When I was going to stand for you in Sydney,

there were rumors in the party

that you and I were fucking, and that's why

you offered me the seat.

Did you know?

- Alex...

fuck off.

- Are you coming?

- You know about our policy positions.

You already have legislation drafted.

- It's over, Alex. You don't have a bloc anymore.

- Helena Rossi is prepared to join the crossbench.

That means Damien Bauer no longer has majority.

Her vote along with mine and Shaun's

means you'll carry the floor, but only on our terms.

- I'll get Laurie back. - No.

Paul...

you'll agree to those terms.

You'll persuade your colleagues that being in power

means compromise, and if you don't fuck it up,

you might just be the most useful PM

this country has ever had. - Oh, no way.

- So you'd rather stick to that 10-year plan of yours?

- Oh, it's an insane risk, Alex.

What happens if you screw it up?

- There's no way your party will ever elect

a Black man as leader.

♪♪

This is your only chance.

♪♪

Take it now, Paul.

Otherwise, it won't happen.

The crossbench won't support Laurie.

♪♪

- We'll retender the air base, but we can't renegotiate

the agreement... Too many stakeholders.

♪♪

- What about the rest of it?

- Yeah.

♪♪

- The fallout from the election continues for the opposition

as rumors grow of a leadership challenge

against Laurie Martin.

Knives are out for the inbound leader in the wake

of a disappointing performance in the federal election

and Martin's inability

to negotiate a deal with the crossbench

is being seen as the final nail in the coffin.

Martin has said he'll fight all challengers,

but as his party counts the numbers,

his position would seem to be increasingly untenable.

♪♪

[Telephones ringing]

♪♪

- Hang on. I'll call you back.

♪♪

[Indistinct conversations]

- Following the federal election,

the party announced a spill of all leadership roles.

That spill has now been conducted.

The new leader of the party is Paul Murphy.

♪♪

- I am humbled and honored

to assume the leadership of my party

and the opportunity to lead this great nation,

and I will do everything in my power

to maintain the party support of the rights of workers,

of women,

and of all the cultures that make up our society.

In addition, we will honor the commitments made

to the independents on carbon-emissions reduction,

on cyberbullying, and rural and regional infrastructure,

and I will establish an inquiry into the deaths

of those two young indigenous girls,

Marcie Maclean and Jess Clarke.

Here are those names again... Marcie Maclean and Jess Clarke.

Those two girls will not die in vain.

- You lost the election.

How are you going to do all that?

♪♪

[Crowd shouting]

[All shouting "Ms. Irving"]

[Indistinct shouting]

- Thanks for being here, each and every one of you.

The three of us entered politics

because we wanted to do things differently.

We wanted to hold our politicians

to a higher standard...

The standard Australians deserve.

For this reason, in the face of sustained bullying,

Helena Rossi is announcing her intention to leave the party

and sit on the crossbench.

This means Damien Bauer loses his one-seat majority

in the House.

This is a historic moment.

I became a senator because I wanted the small town

in which I lived to have better access to medical services.

That seemed like a big goal,

but we need to be more ambitious than that.

The brutal roots of our colonial history

has always divided us,

but we can work together as a country

to create a new shared story.

We have to ask, "What kind of country would we be

if we could be the best versions of ourselves

and then fight for that?"

- That's your mom.

- which is why we are backing the man who will become

the first Indigenous prime minister of Australia.

♪♪

[Crowd shouting]

- You alright, bud?

♪♪

[Camera shutter clicking]

♪♪

[Indistinct conversations]

[Cellphone vibrating]

- Rachel. - Alex, congratulations.

- [Chuckles]

You were the one who told me about Helena.

- Did I? I don't recall that.

- Plausible deniability in all things.

- I have to say, I did not see the Paul Murphy move coming.

- So when are you going to roll Bauer?

That's your plan, isn't it?

He fails to meet governor,

bloodshed erupts on the backbench,

and you wait in the wings for them to beg you to come back.

- I don't know, Alex.

I'm not sure I want to put my pearls back on.

As you keep telling me, there's a better way of doing things.

- You're splitting the party.

- Oh, I think the two-party system has run its course.

You thought I was burning you again.

- Yeah, I did.

- Not this time.

Good luck, Alex.

- You, too.

[Cellphone beeps]

- [Sighs]

♪♪

- [Sighs]

♪♪

♪♪

[Cellphone vibrating]

♪♪

- Hey, what up, brus?

- I'm surprised you answered. It was a big night.

- Mm.

Did I actually break a coffee table?

- You did.

- Hmm, I thought I made that one up.

What time is it?

- Eight o'clock. Not planning on missing the sitting, are you?

[Sighs]

♪♪

- ♪ Everything comes down ♪

♪♪

♪ To what I have, and now ♪

♪♪

♪ Hold me as I wait ♪

♪♪

- [Sighs]

♪ Three lifetimes in a day ♪

♪♪

♪ Fear... ♪

♪♪

♪ Carry me like I know you can ♪

♪♪

♪ 'Cause this can't wait ♪

♪ Today I'm playing where the big kids play ♪

♪♪

♪ I'm playing where the big kids play ♪

♪♪

- Alex, hope I didn't wake you.

- God, Paul, I'm sorry.

- No hurry, I'm about to become Prime Minister,

and I thought you might like to be there.

- Yeah, no, 10 minutes, I swear.

♪♪

- Greg? - Alex Irving's office is...

- It's okay, mate.

She's just engineered the appointment

of this country's first Black fellow PM.

- No, no, what I... What I said...

What I said before was there'd be a statement after the vote.

- You reckon she might be a bit pissed off the way

that your paper handled that whole

"voice to Parliament" shitstorm?

- Yes, well, your deadlines are not our deadlines.

- Yeah, I'll cut you off there because we know that there's

a vote first thing in the House

before anything can happen. - I understand that.

- Paul still has to test the numbers in the House.

- You'll be the first to know. - Yes, yes.

You know, if the person doesn't answer after the fourth, I go,

"That person doesn't want to talk to me."

Guess what? This fellow doesn't want to talk to you!

♪♪

No, Alex Irving is not available.

No, she won't be available then. She won't be available tomorrow.

She's never available. You should stop calling.

I don't care. You're not talking to her.

♪♪

- Are you ready?

- Yep.

♪♪

- If you'll follow me this way, we'll head over

to the eastern wall garden, and keep your eye out

for a pair of carved mountain lions guarding the entrance.

These...

♪♪

- After the vote, he'll head to Governor House to be sworn in.

They've sent through briefing notes

for the first bills up tomorrow,

but there's no guarantee going to keep doing that, so...

- Yeah, well, it's in the agreement,

so if anybody's playing silly,

well I guess then Alex can pull support.

- Well, I think she just needs to be...

- Alex Irving.

It's all right to be white.

♪♪

- You... - It's all right to be white!

- [Screaming]

- [Screams] - Alex!

- [Grunts]

♪♪

- [Screams] - Alex!

- It's all right to be white! - [Screams] Fucking get him!

[Men grunting]

- [Groaning] - Stay back! Stay back!

Reps entrance, Reps entrance, we've got a Code Blue.

- Question is, will the following motion be agreed to?

This house expresses confidence in Paul Murphy

to deliver him office prime minister.

[Speaking indistinctly]

The House will now vote.

♪♪

Ring of the bell is in 12 minutes.

♪♪

- [Crying]

- [Groans]

- Stay down. Stay down. - We need an ambulance

at the Reps entrance, I repeat, the Reps entrance,

immediately. - [Sobs]

♪♪

- Bells are ringing.

- [Sighs]

♪♪

[Indistinct conversations]

♪♪

- Justin. - Glad you made it.

- Never miss days like today, friend.

♪♪

- Lock the doors!

♪♪

- Excuse me, sir. Alex has been stabbed.

- What?

- Oh. Oh, God, Alex.

[Cellphones chiming]

♪♪

- Something has happened to Alex outside, look.

- Go and tell them. - Alex Irving

has just been stabbed outside the House of Reps.

- Shit! - Ring Charlie.

Get them to Charlie Irving.

[Indistinct conversations]

- That's confirmed?

- [Groans]

- Charlie.

- Ah.

This happens today. You go.

♪♪

- Alex has been stabbed, and she's not coming in,

so we're going to use this to our fucking advantage,

and we're going to force the vote,

but I need to know that these guys are completely

on our fucking side, and they're rock-solid.

If she's not going to make it, we'll force the vote now.

- Yeah. - Go, go, go, go, go!

- Damien is forcing the vote. - What?!

- [Crying]

♪♪

- Don't you dare, Bauer!

You have no shame, Bauer.

[Crowd shouting]

- History will judge you!

- Order! Order!

[Crowd continues shouting]

- Bauer, stand down! - Order!

♪♪

- Open the doors!

Open the bloody doors!

- Look at me! - Yes.

- You look at me!

- Order!

♪♪

- Don't you fucking dare change sides now!

[Crowd shouting]

- Use this.

[Cheers and applause]

♪♪

[Shouting, applause stops]

♪♪

- Alex, are you okay?

- You know why we're here?

This is our turn now.

♪♪

♪♪

♪♪

♪♪

♪♪

♪ I got one thing, honey, you ♪

♪ One thing, honey, you ♪

♪ One thing on my mind ♪

♪ Two young bodies, yeah ♪

♪ Two warm bodies and the fingers entwined ♪

♪ With you next to me ♪

♪ We could set this world alight ♪

♪ Here comes destiny ♪

♪ She gonna set this night on fire ♪

♪ I got one thing, honey, you ♪

♪ One thing, honey, you ♪

♪ One thing on my mind ♪

♪ You, me, and destiny ♪

♪ We going to set this night on fire ♪