Original subtitles

MAN: Alright, Maclean - suck on this!

They were laughing as she was dying!

Jess! (TYRES SCREECH)

Help me! Someone help!

Fall-out from the deaths of those girls, the cover-up...

I can't win an election with you, Rachel.

The party thanks you for your service.

I'm humbled and honoured to assume the leadership of my party.

ALEX: The three of us entered politics

'cause we wanted to do things differently,

which is why we are backing the man

who will become the first Indigenous prime minister of Australia.

Alex! Aah!

(SOBS)

I'm at the bloody door!

You know why we're here?

This is our turn now.

WOMAN: Is everything OK?

Yeah.

Good.

That's great.

Keep still for me, OK?

(GUNSHOT)

Eddie!

It's alright to be white.

(INDISTINCT CONVERSATION)

(SIRENS WAIL)

(WEEPS)

I can't breathe!

SONG: ♪ Listen to the wind blow

♪ Watch the sun rise

♪ Running in the shadows

♪ Damn your love Damn your lies... ♪

(FRANTICALLY) I can't... (PANTS) I can't...

♪ And if you don't love me now

♪ You'll never love me again

♪ I can still hear you saying

♪ You would never break the chain

♪ Never break the chain And if you don't love me now

♪ You don't love me now You will never love me again

♪ I can still hear you saying

♪ You would never break the chain Never break the chain. ♪

Charlie! Charlie?

CHARLIE: (ON PHONE) Alex?

No. OK.

You need to tell them it's a nightmare up here.

(SPEAKS INDISTINCTLY) I can't hear you! What did you say?

Alex... Alex!

Make it 2:00pm. Worst floods in a century.

Tell Paul he has to do something about it!

Oh, for god's sake!

He's coordinating national cabinet

and we've announced a disaster package for the state,

so can you please just calm your farm?

Don't tell me to calm down! Charlie, don't be a dick!

What'd she bloody say? She called you a dick.

It's Paul's job, for fuck's sake!

(SPEAKS INDISTINCTLY)

Alex... Charlie!

Alex. (CALL CUTS OUT)

Charlie?

Did he hang up on you?

Yeah, not sure.

Dick.

I lost my signal.

That's perfect.

The tower must be down.

Anything? Nothing.

Well, try the pre-paid.

It's on a different network.

Oh!

Nah. Still the same. Nothing.

Alex.

(HONKS HORN)

You alright? Think I broke an axle.

Can I grab a lift into town? Yeah, of course.

Thanks.

I'm Alex. I knew that.

Joely. Kathleen.

Uh, OK. You might want to buckle up.

(WOMAN COUGHS ON VIDEO)

(SPEAKS INDISTINCTLY)

Help me! (COUGHS)

(CONTINUES COUGHING)

(COUGHS)

(COUGHS)

WOMAN: Somebody, help her!

(COUGHS) Help her!

Somebody! Someone, help!

(SPEAKS INDISTINCTLY)

Somebody help her!

(GASPS) Hey! Someone, help!

(GASPS)

Somebody! Someone, help!

MAN: Do you need a moment, Ms Anderson?

Uh, just a sec, thank you.

(SNIFFLES)

(SIGHS) Thank you.

You were prime minister

at the time of Marcie Maclean and Jessica Clarke's deaths.

I was.

When were you first aware of the concerns

regarding the Macquarie Youth Detention Facility?

Uh, that would be October 11.

I was informed of a juvenile death at the facility.

Your minister, Kevin Cartwright,

informed you that her death was the result of an asthma attack.

Yes. He lied.

Your minister also failed to disclose

a financial stake in Exabuild group of companies,

which owned and operated the detention facility

where Miss Maclean died.

Yes. I believe he failed to list his interest on the register.

Ms Irving raised concerns regarding the minister on November 16.

What were those concerns?

That Marcie's death had in fact been due to negligence

and that the minister was involved in a cover-up.

She also accused him of playing a part in the death of Jessica Clarke,

Miss Maclean's cellmate.

That's correct.

What did you do?

Well, they were very serious allegations,

so I... asked for proof, of course.

Your ministerial code of conduct

required you to report any allegation of serious misconduct

to the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet.

Did you do that?

I was shown no proof.

Did you report the allegations?

Look, the threshold for reporting

was not... as clear at the time.

We didn't have a national body...

So you did nothing.

And the value?

Got some interests.

(PHONE CHIMES) Oh, reception, finally!

Excuse me.

Tell Charlie he's a dick. Not talking to Charlie.

(BIRDSONG)

Alex! Sharon.

Where are you? Queensland.

Why? Can I talk to Paul?

No, you can't talk to him. He's in a meeting.

Is he getting my messages? He's not calling back.

I always pass your calls on but right now he's busy.

You know what, Sharon?

Tell him to get his black arse out of the Lodge and come up here

and see the damage for himself.

Hasn't he got the army or air force standing by to bring him up?

What is it - a rostered day off down there?

He's got no excuse, Sharon. Tell him to pull his finger out!

I'll let him know, Alex. Bye.

For fuck's sake!

Sorry about that.

You wonder how much longer

we're gonna keep lying to ourselves, don't you?

Sorry? Global warming.

"It's a natural phenomenon."

"It's gonna make the world a better place."

There's no cure for rampant stupidity.

Yeah but I think, right now,

people need emergency supplies and generators.

Oh... so you think now's not the right time

to talk about why it's happening - is that it?

No, I just think...

..you know, people have more practical concerns right now.

Sorry, Kath - where are we dropping you?

Oh, just up at the evac centre, thanks.

Thanks.

Good luck with those practical concerns.

You ready?

Yep.

Hey, Mark. Good? Thanks for coming, Minister Irving.

I'm so sorry. Cheers.

Hey, go have a feed, eh?

(POIGNANT MUSIC)

(MUSIC SWELLS)

Hi. I'm Alex Irving.

Is... uh, is there someone in charge?

Uh, yeah. I guess that's me. James.

So, where's your news crew?

Uh, sorry. It's just me.

Um, hey - we brought a 4-wheel drive.

There's some supplies in the back there.

Uh, some food, bottled water, some basic first aid.

I know you need more but it's all on donation -

we're coordinating out of Winton.

Right, then. (CLEARS THROAT)

Uh, Mark - ute out the front to unload.

You said it was on donation.

Yeah, that's right.

So, where's the government?

I'm talking to the PM's office.

Uh, is he coming too?

They're announcing a new rescue package.

Can't wait. We believe it'll help.

Then where is it?

Where's the state government?

Where's the army? Where the fuck is everyone?

What do you need, James?

Power. Water.

Medicine, food.

We need everything.

Sorry. No.

Please, don't apologise.

It's just, uh...

..we're still pulling bodies out of homes.

We lost everything.

Right. I'd better go check it out.

So you can't get out to your property.

No, we can't get there yet. It's still too wet.

And how many cattle did you have? About 120 cows.

Yeah, alright. OK. Well, we'll try and organise something, OK?

So sorry, Phil. Thank you.

How'd it go?

Oh, it's a mess. And no help's getting through?

Uh, look, we're heading out along the Landsborough to Winton.

Can we drop you anywhere? Oh, no. I'm good.

Getting picked up.

So, what are the main priorities here?

Uh, rescue. Emergency accommodation.

They basically need everything.

Right.

I've sent a list through to my office. We'll start with the basics.

No point aiming low right now.

(HELICOPTER APPROACHES)

Kathleen Sloane.

I should have recognised you.

You've been lobbying our office pretty hard.

Yeah. And getting no response.

Good to meet you, Alex. We'll talk soon.

This is why we need to tax the rich.

We shouldn't need billionaires to get us out of trouble.

It's the government's job.

Marcie Maclean was just 16 when she died.

Your minister attempted to cover up the cause of her death

and stood to benefit from the company that was running the facility.

He was also a key supporter of your leadership.

Correct?

Yes, is suppose you could say that.

Ms Irving raised concerns with you three times

and on the third occasion, she showed you the video that we saw earlier

and you still failed to report it.

Now, Ms Irving stated - and it's recorded in Hansard -

that you offered her a deal to keep quiet.

Ms Irving misunderstood my caution for a cover-up.

But you failed to report any of her allegations.

I was in the chamber.

I lost the confidence of the house

and I lost my leadership.

I walked back to my office, where I comforted my staff,

many of whom were in tears,

informed the governor-general that I was no longer the prime minister,

then...

..I called the secretary

of the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet

and informed him of Ms Irving's allegations in full.

The deaths of the girls haunt me.

As they should.

But there's not a single decision that I could have made...

..that would have had them both alive today.

The shame of it, the great shame of it,

is something this entire nation needs to face.

The shame of it belongs to all of us.

Not just me.

Wait, Joely. Yeah?

Pull over.

Have you thought this through?

So we'll try and get this shot, if that's OK, and then try and get...

Oi. Toby. What are you doing?

What does it look like, Alex?

Yeah, no, no. It's alright, OK? We both have a job to do.

Yeah?

OK.

Ms Irving, we're standing here in flood-ravaged Queensland.

Has the government's disaster response been a total failure?

♪ I been feeling like a lone wolf Dancing in the street light

♪ Howling at the moon

♪ When I hear the beat ngarra'ka babuyun

♪ Murrmaram Rirrakay That's what a brother do

♪ Spreading that mood, brah Get me on the dance floor

♪ We could have a dance-off Do it all night

♪ Feeling all juiced-up Getting my groove on

♪ Set it off super We can take a flight, aight

♪ I said ooh You got me feeling myself

♪ Now I put it on you

♪ Cool as hell

♪ I said ooh

♪ You got me feeling myself

♪ Now I put it on you

♪ Cool as hell You can be my... ♪

Oi!

How's it goin'?

Something wrong?

Turn around.

You think I've stolen something, yeah?

You've been watching me the whole time. You know I haven't.

I said turn around.

And you're not a cop, so you can't make me.

But I can do this.

♪ ..every minute that I'm living I'mma kill it on the rhythm... ♪

Free will and all, eh?

♪ You got me feeling myself

♪ Now I put it on you... ♪

You happy now?

♪ Cool as hell I said ooh... ♪

Huh?

Put it back on.

How many white kids you stop today?

Or do they just employ you to fuck around with the black ones?

♪ You make me feel the time away

♪ Rirrakay... ♪

That was the bomb. I'll meet you outside.

♪ Catch my vibe and fly away

♪ Rirrakay

♪ Marrkap Music-ca got me in my feels now... ♪

How did we go?

Bagged these bad boys.

Condoms, baby. Seriously?

What? Ash has a party in a few weeks.

And you think you're gonna get lucky?

Hell, yeah!

Floodwaters are moving south to the Tweed and the Clarence.

Queensland's declaring it a disaster.

You'll be talking to that dipshit in an hour.

They're saying the death toll's about to rise.

Substantially. Home affairs?

On his way. What about defence?

Maria's in Beijing. Where's Terry?

Oh! Family do. Bateman's Bay.

Get him in. Government Services too.

Oh, and the director of policy finally decides to turn up.

(PHONE BUZZES) What time do you call this?

Civilised, Sharon. You should try it.

Got the flood-relief details? Yep. Done. Where are we at?

We'll speak to the press in the next hour.

How do you want to play it?

Remind the nation they've spent the last decade denying climate change.

Oh, we'll be doing that.

And pin it to a rapid and human response across all departments.

And we'll need extra staffing for Centrelink, next 12 weeks at least.

Noted. Right.

Press conference at 12. We'll brief the department.

Sharon...

Christ! What?

Have you got it up?

OK. Come.

We're standing here in flood-ravaged Queensland.

Has the government's disaster response been a total failure?

ALEX: There's been no government response.

You can see the damage. It's massive.

Nanango to St George, further south all the way down to the Maclean.

I've spoken to volunteers.

I've spoken to people who've lost everything

and they're all asking -

why isn't anyone coming to help?

I mean, I got a ute full of supplies through.

Why can't the government?

Hmph.

We need emergency response on the ground, right now.

We need long-term support for people, starting right now.

And we need a central agency that deals with these disasters.

(PHONE RINGS) We have to do better.

I thought it had been too quiet lately.

Don't look at me.

How did I do?

It could have gone worse.

No, you did well.

Think they'll take it further? Refer me?

I don't think they've got enough. Not for corruption.

(SIGHS) Wonder what the press will make of it.

Have you checked your phone?

No. Should I?

It's Alex.

REPORTER: Did you attempt to pervert the course of justice

while you were prime minister?

Look, I can't comment

while the royal commission is still deliberating

but I will say this - that our country came into being

because of the British predilection for locking up its disadvantaged.

Not just adults - children.

250 years later, we're still doing it

and the deaths of Jess Clarke and Marcie Maclean

are the direct result of those policies,

so... perhaps it's time we asked ourselves,

is this who we want to be as a country?

Do you support raising the age of criminal responsibility?

I can also comment on Alex Irving's very pointed criticisms

of the Paul Murphy government,

which I fully endorse.

Alex Irving's idea

of a national body tasked with responding to natural disasters

is an excellent one.

It'll help us adapt to a changing world

and could also solve some other important challenges,

such as youth under-employment,

so get the young involved and working - all of them.

I'm all for it.

Have you discussed this with the Prime Minister?

Excuse me. (REPORTERS CLAMOUR)

That's all. Thank you.

Alex Irving is incredible - one minute,

she's giving the green light to juvenile criminals,

the next minute, she's talking about national service!

She's incapable of making her mind up about anything

and right now, she's the only thing standing between Paul Murphy

and oblivion.

REPORTER: The east coast of Australia has been devastated

by the worst floods in recorded history.

All eyes are on the Prime Minister, Paul Murphy,

who remains, tonight, in Canberra.

JOELY: When did you mention national service?

What?

Rachel Anderson's on board.

Apparently, she also wants to raise the age of criminal responsibility.

Didn't see that one coming.

Damien's frothing

and Paul has released a statement pledging rapid response.

Was that all part of the plan?

Of course it was.

Thanks, Dom. Thanks for that.

Thanks, Dominic. Let's go.

Thanks.

Good evening, Tegan. Ms Irving.

Can I... Coffee would be excellent. Thank you.

Evening, everyone.

Charlie - sitting in on this one?

It's my job, Alex.

What in the name of our sweetly perfumed lord and saviour

did you think you were doing?

You'll thank me for it, Sharon. (CHUCKLES)

Dump a bucket of shit the size of Queensland on the government...

Whose vote you need to survive.

..and you want the PM to thank you?

You're not in the Senate anymore, Alex.

You don't have to pull stunts

just so you can have some dickhead remember who you are!

You've been busting my arse for nearly two years, Alex.

We can drop the games now, don't you think?

What did you hope to gain by it?

Emergency relief for the area.

Attention to the fact that half of Queensland is a disaster zone

and assurance to the people who've lost everything

that they haven't been forgotten -

that's why you should be thanking me, Sharon.

You know some of that aid was earmarked for the Northern Rivers.

They're flooded too. Mmm.

And now, thanks to you being so helpful,

they will miss out.

Has Kathleen Sloane made contact?

She has. And?

Kathleen Sloane promised an initial $5 million in aid,

along with substantial material assistance.

So...

.let's talk about youth justice reform, eh?

You can take that up with Sharon at the cross bench tomorrow.

Yeah. Just keep the thought bubbles to yourself. For me.

I'll try.

PAUL: Thank you, Alex.

GIRL: Yeah, it's alright. Better since I got my licence.

You got a car? My dad's ute.

Clancy says hi.

Where is he?

He's lifting weights.

(LAUGHS)

So, when are you coming home?

What, you miss me? Yeah, fuck off.

(PHONE BUZZES)

My mum's calling. Oh. Say hi for me.

So, when are you coming back?

Don't know. Call it a year.

Stuff you, then! (CHUCKLES)

Oh, dead!

Hi.

Decided to answer, did you?

Yeah, I'm real good.

How are you?

Got back from the floods. It's pretty bad out there.

Yeah, so Connor was saying.

I heard Rachel Anderson's at the inquiry.

Is she going down?

Probably not. Typical.

So, what are you up to?

I'm studying. Help me out, brah!

At Ash's place.

Well, we can come and pick you up, if you like.

Nah, I'm good.

Less drama round here, you know?

Yeah. Funny. I'm laughin'.

Wheel! Wheel! Wheel round me! Wheel round me.

You good, though? Yes!

Yeah, I'm good.

I love you.

You too.

How's the boy?

Oh, he's a bloody rude bugger sometimes.

It's a total mystery where he gets that from.

(SECURITY ALARM BEEPS)

Boys always take longer to come back online than girls.

Eddie's smarter than most of them.

Sobering, as an adult.

Reminds you how stupid you were at their age.

So what's your excuse now?

Middle age.

What about you?

Menopause.

(KNOCK AT DOOR)

You expecting someone?

(PHONE BUZZES) No. Eddie's out tonight.

(SIGHS) Nah, it's all good. You sure?

Positive.

Oh. Hi. Ms Anderson.

Thank you.

Goodnight, Ms Irving. Goodnight, Dominic.

Still got the same security detail.

I keep changing mine up.

Brought my own. I can't handle that rum-and-cokey thing of yours.

Well, my day was...

shit

and then you started talking about conscription

and suddenly it got a whole lot better.

Uh, I don't remember mentioning conscription.

You really are Teflon, aren't you?

Oh, I don't know about that.

Anyway, you can talk.

How was Paul? Unimpressed.

(LAUGHS) I'll bet. Open for argument.

OK. I see you're doing the rounds.

Oh, the lecture tomorrow.

Yeah, that should set the cat amongst the pigeons.

And we're meeting with Nick Pearce soon.

The think-tank's finalising $20 million in campaign finance

for the Independent Alliance.

Do you even trust him?

What makes you say that?

I'll manage him.

And I promise you, he's got no formal role on the executive.

This is really happening, Alex.

It's been a long day, Rach.

Don't make the mistake of fighting the last election.

You're not gonna hold the balance of power again

and this next one, it's... it's gonna be tough.

Then your new party's gonna help me with my brand recognition, is it?

We prefer the term 'alliance'

and... no, your brand doesn't need any help from me.

I still haven't got justice for those girls, you know.

What do you want?

My head on a platter?

Something that doesn't keep me awake at night.

Maybe we want the same thing.

Raising the age of criminal responsibility will go a long way.

Paul will be held to the fire on this.

Aus News will shit the bed.

They always shit the bed. Paul guaranteed this.

Yeah, until the premiers are forced

to come out kicking and screaming on law and order

and then he'll run back and lock himself in his safe room.

The alliance can commit to this.

You could lead on this issue.

Alex, you've gotta make a decision.

Rachel, I just...

Same.

We could get a lot done.

And who knows? We might even have fun.

I think I've done OK as an independent.

Sure.

Anyway...

..I don't think I'm a party girl.

Oh, I bet that's not what they say about you up in Winton.

(LAUGHS)

You look exhausted.

Are you sleeping?

No. Are you?

Is any woman?

I'll leave you.

(UPBEAT MUSIC)

(INDISTINCT CONVERSATION)

SHARON: So... despite some help from various quarters,

we've managed to settle the press down on flood relief.

They are fed, tucked in...

'Babysitting The Fourth Estate - a memoir by Sharon Costigan'.

RACHEL: I'd read that.

Oh, sweetheart - did no-one turn up to your presser again?

We don't measure success in column inches.

So, what can we expect next week?

Three bills are up for debate.

You can speak to them if you want - I mean, if you can really be arsed.

First up - Sustainable Procurement Practises Bill 2024.

The PM is super keen to put this one to bed.

The second-reading debate is finishing up

and it will go to a third.

Well, I'm not putting lipstick on this pick. I'm still a no.

Already noted. Oh, and thank you for your feedback.

Have you done a turnaround on this?

We've worked through some issues. Yeah.

The wonders of collaboration, Rachel. Moving on.

I have a matter of public importance this week.

Oh, let me guess - taxing billionaires for bike paths?

(CHUCKLES) Just taxing them - but it would solve your housing crisis.

Yeah, no. Don't worry - we're already handling that.

Alex. Sharon.

I thought we were gonna be briefed on youth justice reform.

Yeah, well, parliamentary council's just a little bit busy right now.

It's always busy.

Well, you'll get it the week before it goes to parliament.

I need at least two weeks. Mmm.

Well, not even cabinet gets it that soon.

I need to be consulted. And you will be.

Is Paul stalling on this?

Age of criminal responsibility was a key part of our agreement, Sharon,

and good luck getting anything through the Senate

if you forget that.

I've also done a complete road-to-Damascus on this issue,

so I would like to be consulted too.

Brilliant.

Alrighty. Uh, thank you, everyone.

I'll notify the PM. We are moving on.

Non-negotiable, Sharon. Thank you, Alex.

Moving on.

Defence.

We have to cut Alex loose.

Small matter of needing her vote, remember?

Do you know why caucus won't forgive you?

For what - forming government? No, no, no.

No, for needing her to get there

and for making you look like a fucking simp.

Oh! Great. Thanks, Sharon. Tell me what you really think!

Well, you bounced Ladell six times yesterday, cleaning up that mess!

His faction's not gonna put up with it!

Oh, he's being a sook! He needs daddy time.

I'll take him to the footy. Look, Paul...

Sharon, he doesn't have the numbers.

We're a year out from an election.

We need three seats for majority.

The heartland hate her

and the opposition cream their pants every time she opens her mouth.

We run the risk of her costing us government!

And I'll be fucked if I'm gonna sit back and let that happen!

OK, Sharon! You've made your point. No, we need to move!

And we need to move now. I'll move when I've made up my mind.

I'm sorry.

It's just that there are only... you know, so many fronts I can fight on!

I know. How was the cross bench?

Menacing.

Alex is not gonna lie down on youth justice

and Rachel Anderson kind of thinks she's gonna back it.

Is she serious? I thought that was just for the inquiry.

Apparently not.

Look...

I know you want to make a difference...

Let me deal with Alex, alright?

(MESSAGE ALERT CHIMES)

OK.

How's Gemma?

Well, she'd love me to try and find a job that won't kill me.

Well, tell her I respectfully disagree with that description, OK?

Maybe you need some time off. You can take her with you.

Oh, yeah - and you can pop off to Hawaii, then.

Probably not.

(SIGHS)

Alex! Fancy seeing you here.

Well, we both work in the same building, Damien.

So, we're arming teenagers now, are we?

That took me by surprise.

Me too, considering that's not what I said.

And, uh, this actually feels like a conversation.

What's the story?

Well, we're both Queenslanders, Alex.

Sometimes we have to talk for the good of the state.

How's the cross bench?

Stable.

Mmm... not what I hear.

Just the usual rumours, though. I wouldn't worry too much.

I don't.

You know, I'm quite popular in your electorate.

Might be worth finding some common ground

before your country voters start abandoning you.

Give it some thought, yeah?

Always a pleasure, Damien.

Go, the Cowboys!

(SIGHS)

(PHONE RINGS)

What? Oh, hi to you too, sis.

Hey, I just ran into Damien.

He's fishing.

Mmm. Why?

Well, that's why I'm talking to you. Is he up to anything?

He's always up to something.

Anyway, the PM wants us all to have dinner.

What? When?

Tonight. Family affair, apparently. Bring Eddie.

What if I'm busy? Yeah, that wasn't a request.

(APPLAUSE)

So, two years ago, I was crying in my bath tub.

Yes, even prime ministers do that -

especially after they've been rolled.

And not just female ones.

I've had on good authority that at least one male prime minister

cried in his tub after he'd lost his leadership,

so apparently, it's a thing.

There was a rubber duck involved, so I hear.

(LAUGHTER)

As I sat there crying by myself, for myself,

I just kept thinking, "Where to from here?"

"Where to from here?" You know those catastrophic crisis loops?

I think we've all lived a version of that, right?

Especially in the last few years.

All we can see is what we've lost.

The future as we'd imagined it is just gone.

In a single second,

I was suddenly outside a system

that I'd lived and breathed and thrived in

and it seemed so unfair.

Until suddenly...

well, after a couple of cases of chardonnay...

(LAUGHTER)

..being outside it, I could see it -

everything that's wrong with our party system

and how it suffocates democracy.

Now, we all forget from time to time, don't we,

that people are stronger than any systems.

At the end of the day, it's people

who dismantle empires that have stood for centuries.

Revolutions seem to take forever and then they happen all at once.

Now, we saw it at the last election.

You felt it, yeah?

(AUDIENCE MEMBERS MURMUR)

When the people made a radical choice

and put their faith in us independents.

And there was this eruption of community engagement and passion

and riding that was unlike anything I've experienced

in two decades in parliament.

There's no doubt this last election was a circuit-breaker.'

But the press and the parties think that they can just flick a switch

and it'll all go back to how it was originally wired.

But we can't go back.

Our country is changing.

The world is changing

and any political system that doesn't speak to that change

is not a resilient democracy.

So no, our voters do not want to go back.

Our voters want us to be louder.

They want us to be more collaborative.

They want us to bring our lived experience as professionals

into the front bench,

so that we can start meeting the challenges of the 21st century.

And they want more of us.

So I want us to start imagining - what would that look like?

How would that feel?

What could we do if we had real power?

Thank you.

(INDISTINCT CONVERSATION)

Thank you. Thank you so much for coming.

Thank you.

Thank you. Alright.

Hi, Rachel.

Marion. Wow.

Peter, have you met...

Marion Beaumont. Peter Solomon.

We met some years ago, in London, I believe.

Right.

Well, you made quite the impression up there.

Really? Yeah.

I mean, I... I'm not quite sure I agree with the premise.

I mean, it's a bit... Italy in the '70s.

Oh! Well... You know, you are bloody convincing.

Thank you. I think.

Um... I was wondering,

could we have a talk?

Yeah. Um, sure. Do you want my details...

No, I mean, like... like, an interview?

Right. No, of course.

Probably best to go through Peter. Yes. Yeah. In your office?

Sure. Yeah? You'll remember the name?

Yes, of course.

Um... well, we actually have to go.

Yeah.

It's good to see you. Ah. Thank you.

Nice to see you.

(INDISTINCT CONVERSATION)

There was a call-out of Parliament House last night.

One of the cookers stopped the minister's car.

Was anyone hurt?

No. They said it was a joke.

Like the time they set fire to the doors of Old Parliament House.

Ms Irving?

Would you mind waiting in the car?

Of course.

What's this?

I don't know. I think you do.

You've missed four classes in the last fortnight.

Where were you?

Eddie! I was there, alright?

Not according to your teachers.

You have to be focusing on year 12.

You can't afford to miss classes.

Sure. I'm dumb as shit. That's really great.

Are you being bullied?

Is that why you're skipping classes?

Are we still going to this stupid dinner?

With the Prime Minister? Yeah.

We are.

Get changed.

(MUTTERS)

I thought I was gonna have to chat with the PM by myself.

I'm so sorry. I was gonna come home but my day went pear-shaped.

Mmm. Mwah.

You are not gonna fight with your sister tonight.

Only if she starts it.

Oh. Hey. Hey, Dee.

Hi. Eddie.

You good? Yeah, I'm good.

No baiting the PM.

He started it.

Prime Minister. It's Paul here, Dee.

Irvings. Eddie. Hi.

Paul.

PAUL: Who's hungry?

This way.

Excuse the mess.

Is this that chilli sauce you were telling me about?

You remembered. Yeah.

Considered sounding out the department

to see if we could fly you in some.

She's joking. Mmm. It's not a bad idea.

I had a mate bring me some down from Darwin.

It's the little things you miss, you know?

Food and music. This place can seem empty.

I think we're about to forget how that feels.

What did you make of Kathleen Sloane?

I didn't recognise her but she's pretty impressive.

Are you kidding me?

What?

Shouldn't need the ultra-rich to bail us out

whenever there's a problem.

Well, at least she was there. And what - we weren't?

You two - just...

Kathleen Sloane doesn't have to deal with the states to get things done.

Makes a difference.

Mmm. How's school, mate?

Yeah, boring. When you turn up.

Mate, what's the story there?

Can we not? PAUL: Sorry. My fault.

Next thing you know,

I'll be asking what you want to do when you leave school.

You're still keen on environmental science, aren't you?

Not really.

You should join the army, like your mum.

BB...

Is it always like this?

Pretty much.

Is there a toilet here?

Yeah. Closest one's out that door, down the hallway.

Busting your arse right now, is he?

(CHUCKLES)

(PHONE BLEEPS)

Hey. What's up? Hey. Oi, guess where I am.

PM's shithouse. What?

(LAUGHS)

ALEX: So, why are we here?

PAUL: Isn't it enough just to have a nice dinner?

Yeah. Right.

What's the story?

We're putting youth justice on the back burner.

This is non-negotiable, Paul.

Everything's negotiable. You know that.

This is the election in Queensland? The election in Queensland, WA.

WA? Caucus is losing its nerve.

Damien's running law and order

and Aus News is busting our arse on race and crime.

I'm sorry. I'm not gonna let this go.

And what - you think I want to?

Well, that's what it looks like!

For fuck's sake, Alex! Can you hear yourself?

I know the name of every single blackfella

who's died in custody on my watch.

Don't pretend you're the only one in the room

who wants to do something about it.

I wasn't. You were!

Now most of the country thinks

I'm an uppity black cunt who's risen above his station.

The rest think I'm a coconut who's sold his soul to the white man.

I know what that feels like.

Yeah. This is why Zoe doesn't live in Canberra.

This shit never ends. (CHUCKLES)

I don't have the time, Paul. Jesus, Alex.

No-one wants to wait. No, it's not that.

I don't have the time. Next term, Alex.

Sharon will brief the cross bench tomorrow morning.

I'm busy tomorrow. Next term.

You have my word.

So you can stop making my life so fucking difficult.

Please.

(FOOTSTEPS APPROACH)

EDDIE: Miss me?

I'll text you when I'm done, Dominic.

You OK, Ms Irving?

Yep. Nah, I'm good. Is there anything I can do?

No, I'm good. Thank you.

WOMAN: Alex.

We've got your referral and bloods.

I see you've listed palpitations and breathlessness in your symptoms.

I have panic attacks.

This is different, though, right?

I fainted two days ago.

We'll get to the bottom of this for you.

Lie down for me, please.

(DOOR SHUTS)

Keep still for me, OK?

(GASPS)

I...

..can't breathe.

I can't... I can't breathe!

I can't bre... breathe!

(SOBS)

I can't...

I can't...

I can't... can't breathe!

OK. Let's get her out.

(GASPS) Keep breathing.

(SOBS) I can't breathe.

(PANTS, GASPS)

(GASPS)

Alex, right now, you are at real risk of having a sudden stroke.

Is it treatable?

Any sitting members moving? Matthew Coley.

What will it take to move him, do you think?

Something that'll wake up his conscience.

Breathless. Chest pain. Now you're seeing a cardiologist.

You don't fuckin' know me. You understand?

Charlie. We're announcing IndiMed today.

Can you do a speech by 1 o'clock? Jesus. Yep.

What is happening, Peter? Like, what the actual fuck is happening?

I really don't appreciate the ambush. I think we're done.

Captions by Red Bee Media

Copyright Australian Broadcasting Corporation