Original subtitles

ALEX: It has come to my attention that the Prime Minister

is covering up a very serious crime.

The operators of that prison were giving kickbacks to Kevin Cartwright.

MAN: Your minister also failed to disclose a financial stake

in Exebuild group of companies,

which owned the detention facility where Miss Maclean died.

I'm delighted to announce $182 million

at key regional health services.

We never got a heads-up. Someone's fucked up.

It's starting to feel like it's deliberate.

It's not a panic attack. I need a doctor.

I have mitral valve stenosis. I need surgery.

He's after Freeman, Joely. He's coming for my seat.

I want us on the first flight to Canberra tomorrow.

You have to stop, Alex,

otherwise you're gonna get another clot

and then we're gonna have to go through this whole thing again.

PATRICIA KARVELAS: The Federal Government is due to release

the latest Closing the Gap report early next month,

and sources close to the Prime Minister's office

are bracing themselves for what will be

the worst outcomes announced to date.

Several high-profile Indigenous leaders have questioned

whether PM Paul Murphy and his senior advisers

are up to the task of tackling Indigenous disadvantage.

The Central Australian Aboriginal Land Council

has called for the Prime Minister and his team

to get out of their cosy Canberra offices

and get their feet in the dirt,

inviting the PM

to visit as early as next week.

(GROANS)

(CHILDREN SHOUT AND CHATTER)

Jenny McIntyre?

You can head on through now, Aunty.

Hello, can I help you?

Yeah, I'd like to see someone. What?

I'm sorry, you have to speak up, I can't hear you.

I'd like to make an appointment.

For counselling.

We only take walk-ins at the moment.

Do you want me to see if someone's available?

Uh, yeah, sure. Wait there.

Been here before? No, I haven't actually.

You got proof of Aboriginality?

Can't be.

I don't make the rules, bruz.

We got too many Johnny's coming through here, claiming.

Here. Fill this out.

(PHONE KEYPAD BEEPS)

(PHONE RINGING TONE)

She's not answering.

Hang on, there she is. Robin?

Oi. You free at the moment?

You're looking to talk to someone?

Yep.

Well, come on.

So, Charlie, why are you here?

Look, first of all, I'm not sure this is the right thing.

Like, no judgement, of course. Of course.

Uh, but there's a lot going on and, uh...

..I've been snapping a bit, and that's not me.

I'm about to be a Dad, due in a couple of weeks. Um...

Are you worried about this snapping in the family?

No. OK.

No, no, I'm not.

I-I just want to get my shit together.

Would you like to tell me a bit about your partner?

Uh, Dee. We've been together for a year and a half.

Was bub planned?

No, bit of a surprise, really.

We were living in the same block of flats

and, uh, she helped me with my groceries one time.

I was having, um, problems with my shoulder.

We both work for the government, big jobs. It's full-on.

Look, when I said I snap...

..I don't...I mean, yeah, I get cranky, but I don't lose it.

Mm.

You know, I don't do that.

What happened to your shoulder?

You said you had shoulder trouble.

And you're not really comfortable right now, are you?

I was stabbed.

He was an army vet. PTSD.

This was outside Parliament? Right?

The white supremacist.

Yeah.

Your sister's that Irving girl. You work for her, right?

No.

No, she sacked me.

Well, she thinks she burns everyone she's close to.

Says she was doing it to protect me, but...

I was only out of surgery, mind you.

No, I work for the PM now.

I'm Director of Policy and Dee's high up in DFAT.

Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

Mm.

Does Dee understand what it's like for you?

Well, she has her own experience of it all.

You know, it's...it's different for her, of course.

What do you do to unwind?

Oh... Drink.

Sorry, that was a joke.

That's good to know.

It's a lot to deal with, Charlie. Look, I know all this.

I just want some strategies.

You know, busy life, baby coming, getting older.

So, do you think you can help?

Are you good? Yeah, good enough.

Do you need to lean on me? Piss off.

There she is.

Tegan, how are ya? I'm well, thanks.

Um, is Paul in? I'd really love to have a word.

Not right now, he's not.

And he may not be available for the remainder of the day.

I'll be brief. Can I help you, Alex?

Prime Minister. Mm-hm.

Oh, congratulations on the funding announcement in Winton, brother.

Yeah.

I mean, there were a few comms issues between offices.

Totally unfortunate, but not an issue.

Thank you. Uh, do you have five minutes?

I... Gee, I...

Four, three, two?

I have a minute. That's all I need.

Mm-hm.

Thank you, Tegan.

So, where are we at with youth justice reform?

Alex, I know I've asked you to be patient,

and you have been for some time now,

and we both want to get this done.

But, unfortunately, the bill is going to have to take a back seat.

How long? Until further notice.

OK.

OK.

Well, I can't lie, that's disappointing.

But I understand.

Timing is everything.

And we have to get this right, so, I trust the process.

You...

Excellent.

Sharon will brief the crossbench

about the proposed changes to the criminal code,

and we've taken your advice about the domestic terrorism.

So, I... I hope that's satisfactory.

Oh, it is. Thanks Paul.

Thank you, Tegan.

Are you sure you're alright? 'Cause you seemed weirdly calm back there.

I'm pissed, but I need you to do a deep dive on amendment procedure.

Yeah, I can do that.

Why is he stalling? Oh, hi, sis.

It's good to see you, too. Well?

Why do you start conversations like we're in the middle of one?

I don't know what you're talking about.

The youth justice reform package.

It's being rolled out. When?

Eventually.

He said that, too.

This might be a foreign concept to you, Alex,

but you're just going to have to be patient, OK?

Tell him he needs to make a move on it.

Or what?

Or what, Alex? What are you up to?

What's she up to? Don't look at me. I don't know!

Please, I don't want to be blindsided

reading about it over a piece of toast.

Alex!

OK, can we just calm down a bit?

Alright? Things were tough at home, in Winton.

I just want to know if you're about to make life hard for me.

I'm not. OK?

OK.

What happened in Winton? It was nothing.

It's Eddie.

I mean, he's been a real sook since we've been home.

I mean, can you take him out or, I don't know, go bowling or something?

Bowling? He's not five, Alex.

Well, I don't know - something, anything. I'm sick of his moping.

Alex is a young man, OK?

He doesn't want to hang around me.

He wants to go out there and he wants to...

What?

He wants to meet...and do...

He wants to do what?

Dude!

He wants to meet girls.

God, you're a himbo. Do you know that? You're a himbo, sometimes.

Well, she asked, OK? Alright, I'll message him.

But just so you know,

it'll take two to three business days for him to get back to me,

and that's not including the weekend.

(ALEX SIGHS)

What, you didn't realise he's a teenager?

What's going on with her?

Alex.

She was in here before, acting very...unlike herself.

In what way?

Well...

She was pleasant. Easy to deal with.

She had that...that...

She was reasonable, even. Well, isn't that what you want?

Oh, come on, you know her.

She only does that when she's making moves.

I think you're reading into it.

I spoke to her, she seemed vague, but I think that's a personal thing.

Well, find out. What does that mean?

Ask around. Ask her. She's your sister.

Paul, you hired me to be an adviser. I'm not a snitch.

Come on, come on, just find out who she's talking to,

what's going on, just...

If there's nothing to worry about, it's not an issue.

RACHEL: That's looking great, Mel.

So, I think we'll do the normal coffee, chat,

and then, perhaps, if you stand up, do a running order.

I'd like to go over last week's legislation.

Also, there's a few bills coming up I think we should drill into,

have a little listening session.

Hi. How are you? So glad you came.

Listen, sorry about how I ended things.

I don't like to be surprised.

And I know, that's not an excuse.

You know, I AM still working on the story.

Yeah, I know. Yeah?

You heard me talk about this grassroots engagement,

and I thought you might like to see it in action.

Ah.

Well, it's pretty low-key.

Yeah, no, deliberately so.

It's, uh, kind of an open, inclusive vibe.

You know, bring people into how government's done.

We don't make any policy decisions

without consultation with the electorate,

and we're always reporting back.

Ah!

That's my voting record.

It's also available online, in real time,

so I can be held accountable to my constituents.

I noticed you didn't vote for the procurement legislation.

No.

Others on the crossbench, they supported it, but you didn't.

How come?

It was a rubbish bill - it was anti-competitive,

onerous governance criteria.

Less than a handful of companies are even eligible to tender,

so that says a lot.

Yeah, right. Earthsong, that was one of those companies wasn't it?

Sounds familiar. Yeah.

Yeah. I think so.

Shut the fuck up, Anderson, you uptight bitch!

Oh... Whoa, whoa, whoa. Please, just...

Oh!

Whoo-hoo!

Alright? Is everyone alright?

Are you OK?

I think that's it. Yeah?

But I'd take it to the dry cleaners. It'll just stink.

Yes, that sounds like a good plan.

Yeah. Hang on. Some stuff in your hair.

Oh, gross.

I'm... I'm sorry.

What for? For that. It was...a lot.

Jeez, I just don't know how you do this.

I'd rather an egg in the head than a knife in the back.

I'm talking about my colleagues.

Yes, I know what you're talking about.

Oh, good.

I nearly...gave you a call when they dumped you, but I was just...

..well, I was just so afraid that you'd tell me to fuck off.

No, you're right. I probably would have.

Yes. Mm. I was in a pretty dark place.

You know, it was, uh...

..it was Nick, actually, that pulled me out of that hole.

My bullshit meter was obviously broken at the time.

What?

What? Uh...

Did you know, uh...?

Did you know that Nick was working as a consultant

for Earthsong Industries?

No.

And he pulled three million bucks and then reinvested it.

into that thinktank of his.

Yeah, it took me about 15 FOIs to figure this out.

What? No...

Wait, Nick never declared any conflict of interest.

Oh, really?

And then he, uh, lobbies the crossbench

to vote for the procurement legislation,

Alex votes for it and Helena changes her vote to yes at the last minute.

No, listen, Marion, this is not right. This is...

No.

They've taken thinktank money.

(SIGHS)

You're not suggesting they were bought?

Well, that's the question, isn't it?

No, Marion, it's not a question. These women bleed integrity.

They set up the Anti-Corruption Commission, for God's sake.

They were being lobbied by the company that funded their campaigns.

We're all lobbied, Marion.

If you got rid of everyone up there that's taken lunch with their donors,

there would be no-one left.

Have you ever, um, heard of a guy called Ben Langkamp?

Helena's ex-staffer?

No. Um...

Wait, uh, maybe. Why?

Well, he was on the Earthsong payroll, too.

And the period that he works with Helena

is when she changes her vote.

Fuck. She's a friend of yours, isn't she?

I...I know it's...difficult

but, I mean, really, you just have to follow the money.

Yeah? That's why you're looking at us.

Why aren't you looking at the majors?

Oh, you're...you're expecting a leave pass, are you?

No. Ah.

No, I'm not. But this is bullshit, Marion.

If you even try to publish this, I'm going to get an injunction.

Ooh.

OK. Well...

..you, you know, do what you have to do.

Would you just excuse me for a sec?

I've had Liddell in my ear about IndiMed. Where's it up to?

Departments are fighting over the pilot site in the model,

but we're getting there.

When's our announceable? Six weeks.

Do you know how hard I had to sweet-talk Liddell

to get a Treasurer's advance in an election year?

I need some bang for buck here.

OK, what do you need?

Calm the ministers down, for starters.

Yeah, get them on the same page

and then we can line up a media op for next week.

Update first thing tomorrow morning.

I can't do tonight, though.

Sorry?

OK, I'm on it.

OK.

(SHUFFLES PAPERS)

(SCHOOL BELL BEEPS)

(PHONE CHIMES)

('MYRIAD WAYS' BY CHILDREN COLLIDE PLAYS)

Oi! Don't drop it. Eddie...

I don't got a case, you idiot.

There you go, you sooky-hole.

You got one?

Of course you do. Big buggered-up one, running around the bush track?

Shut ya hole.

Hey, party on tomorrow? Mob from school going.

Might go for a look. Oh, yeah, I'm coming.

My mate Ash's house.

Yeah, boy, we going for suss.

Not like that, you're not.

Gotta do something about your fit, brah.

Ask your mum for some clothes.

She's rich, eh? She's not rich.

You go to private school, fuck ya.

Let's go to the strip, then.

Only whitefellas go there.

I go there all the time. With who? Chad and Daniel.

Only one of my mates' names is Daniel.

Course he is. They're the ones that used you as bait when they left.

Still giving me shit for that? That's how whitefellas go.

Seccies will be following around us the whole time.

They'll find any reason to kick us out.

You reckon that's the reason they grabbed ya?

He didn't need a reason. It's just the way they see us.

You don't have to play into that, yeah?

Nah, fuck that. I'm not gonna let no gubba put it on me. Not on my land.

It's not your land. You're Queensland breed.

They don't know that.

Bra, I look fresh as fuck.

Fresh as...fuck!

You gonna get it? Nah, it's too much. She'll say no.

No, she won't. Not for Mummy's boy.

You don't know her.

Only three items at a time.

That's alright. We'll get 'em all.

Mm-hm.

Phh!

(PHONE BUZZES)

Hello, Alex Irving.

Putting on your white voice?

Eddie, what are you doing?

Where are ya? I'm at the shop.

What shop?

(SLOWLY) Eddie, pass the bong, bro.

ALEX: Who are you with?

I'm with Jay.

We're window shoppin'. Oh, rightio.

Well, what do you need, bub? I'm busy.

Well, we're not exactly window shoppin'.

I'm shoppin' shoppin'.

OK. But I got no money.

So, that's why you're being nice to me.

Well, there's these clothes here that I like.

And I know that you're busy and that,

but I was wondering if the best Mum in the whole world

can get them for her one and only loving son.

Please, pretty please, with a cherry on top?

Is there an ATM close by?

What?!

Pardon. Pardon?

Find the closest ATM and I'll send you cardless cash.

There's one outside.

Alright, well, I'm sending now. How much do you need?

$300. $300? Look out!

Well, round about, 'cause there's these shoes here that I like.

And I told the white racist lady that I'll get 'em.

Oh! Eddie!

(SIGHS)

Yeah, alright. I'll send it through.

Really?!

Yes. Get something for Jay.

Oh, thank you Mum. I love you, I love you.

Thank you, Aunty!

Sending now.

Well, he needs it for the morning briefing.

No, they're here. I'm looking at them.

No, the IndiMed deadline has locked.

Where's that...? Lauren! Lauren! Where's that rep...?

Yeah. OK.

Yeah, I'll let them know.

(SPEAKS INDISTINCTLY)

Oh, no, you get out of here.

Yeah.

He wants this by the morning.

Charlie...

You look like shit.

Cheers, thanks for that.

I'm up against it on this IndiMed stuff.

Hey, Alex is not gonna make things difficult for us, is she?

Oh, Charlie, didn't she tell you?

There's been a change of heart. She's gonna have to block it.

What? Why?

Well, because it just wouldn't look good

if she was to support something

that is so obviously positive for First Nations peoples.

Can you imagine how she'd look? (LAUGHS)

Please, don't do that.

What, do you think that she would tank it just to piss you off?

Well, it's Alex. You can never be certain.

So, I'm just double-checking.

How is she?

Yeah, I think she's fine.

She's your sister.

Maybe you should call her, if you want.

She's got a phone.

How you going?

What? Yeah, like...

..working here?

You happy?

What the fuck is this?

I'm just asking you.

Who sent you? The Spanish Inquisition?

Whatever.

No, I'm good.

I'm amazing.

Why? Are you, like...?

Are you OK? Yeah, I'm good.

Are you sure?

(MOCKS) I'm amazing.

Oh, my God!

OK. Pass on my love to Dee.

I will.

This family.

(SIGHS)

This is all very clandestine.

Hey.

Are you OK?

Yeah. No, I'm fine.

OK.

It's, um, Nick.

Oh, God, what's he done now?

Your adviser, Ben - did Nick introduce you two?

Yeah.

Right.

Did you ever talk about money, like salary stuff?

Well, um, not with Nick. With Ben, obviously. Why?

Well, he had a pretty impressive CV.

He must have taken a bit of a haircut, working with you.

Well, yes. He wanted to work in politics.

What was his role, exactly?

Well...well, he was my main policy guy. He advised me on everything.

His salary was subsidised by a company called Earthsong Industries.

I don't understand.

Nick set it up.

They were both essentially working as consultants,

but they washed it through the tank.

I had no idea.

Oh...

I have to ask you, Helena, did...did Nick or Ben put any pressure on you

over the Procurement Bill vote?

Um...

Oh, uh, Ben got me over the line, I guess. Um...

There were three meetings with the PMO

about how to make it something I'd support.

There are some amendments.

Who drew them up?

OK. That's OK.

Where is this coming from?

Marion Beaumont.

Fuck. Yeah.

Oh, fuck. I'm so sorry, Helena.

Is she gonna publish?

I'm sure. I'm trying to get an injunction.

I don't know if I'll be successful.

I told you I had concerns about Nick.

You did. This is on me.

Look, I think you can get ahead of it.

The bill's not in assent, so if you call Paul,

tell him that you've gone off the bill...

Rachel.

What would my dad have said?

He'd have said, "You're either corrupt or stupid.

"Either way, you're done." No.

I'm not dragging the girls through this.

If you quit, you're gonna bring down the government.

I'm just saying.

Wow.

Then take my vote.

Look, I'm about to launch the Alliance.

I can't sit on that side of the aisle.

I've had your back for 20 years. I've never asked you for anything.

Take my vote.

Call Paul. Guarantee supply and confidence.

OK.

OK, just until the election.

Helena, I am... I am sorry.

I'm gonna check on the girls.

All clear.

Goodnight, Ms Irving.

Goodnight.

I know, stupid work.

I didn't say anything. Well, you're thinking it.

Don't do that.

I'm not being unreasonable here.

We had it in the diary, like we agreed.

You and your work wife are really not making this any easier.

I know and I'm sorry.

I'm sorry and I'm sorry.

How was your appointment?

Carolyn's taken a real set against you.

How was your session today?

Yeah, it was alright.

Maybe that's OK.

Think you might go back?

We'll see.

Alright, well, I've got to finish this IndiMed thing before tomorrow,

or Treasury might gut it.

Alright. Kick its arse, come to bed and cuddle me.

HELENA: It has been the greatest honour and privilege of my life

to serve the Australian people.

And my experience as the Member for Lennox,

and as an independent holding the balance of power

in a minority government,

has convinced me that meaningful political representation

is possible, and it's worth fighting for.

With my colleagues on the crossbench,

I have taken on that fight each and every day.

I know what that fight takes. (PHONE CHIMES)

This is not an easy job.

But I have given it my absolute all.

And I also know that I don't have the energy or drive to continue.

(REPORTERS CLAMOUR)

Oh...

(SIGHS)

Sharon, hi. Sorry, I'm just outside. I don't have my security pass.

Again? Charlie, what the...? Yeah, yeah, I know, I'm so sorry.

Finally, I've got the departments on the same page

about the pilot site for IndiMed.

Wasn't easy.

Mate, there's a by-election.

We're redirecting the Treasurer's funds for the campaign.

We'll roll out the pilot site after the general election.

Helena Rossi was on a low margin

and our vote's been picking up for the past three elections.

We've lined up a great candidate.

We think we can get over the line if we have the right treats.

Sorry, mate, can't be helped.

Hey, Paul, don't you think that's a little short-sighted?

We've barely got a majority.

This seat goes to Damien, we're cactus.

We could be out of government in 21 days.

Sorry, what's this? Local issues - Lennox.

See what the policy team can cook up.

Have we heard back from Anderson yet?

Hang on, when? Sorry?

When? As soon as possible.

No, no, when did you decide to gut IndiMed?

What?

I just want to know whether it was before or after

I did all that work with the departments.

Charlie, it's done. Move on. Move on?

OK.

Paul, I did everything you asked me to do.

"Start over, Charlie." "Start again, Charlie."

I've nearly killed myself for this policy.

You just fucking shelve it? Charlie...

I can't fucking believe this! Charlie, lower your voice.

Why, Paul? Why, huh? It's not like you fuckin' listen to it anyway!

Fuckin'...fuckin' chair!

Alright everyone, get out.

Get out!

Quickly.

Paul, I've worked for months on this, you know I have.

Stiff shit, it can wait.

You think this is a good look, today, of all days?!

"It can wait"?

What's the point of all this?

What's the point in you?

Aboriginal Prime Minister.

Can't do shit for Aboriginal people.

Yeah, you're no better than the rest of them.

What'd you fuckin' say? Oh, you heard me, Paul.

Drop the act, OK? You don't have to pretend with me, brother.

They've all left the room now!

Charlie, you need to calm down.

And you need to wake the fuck up and do your fuckin' job!

You think you have a voice? Look at you.

You're so smug. Make all those recommendations.

Do you follow through on a single one of them? Nah, nothin'.

You just sit there, twiddling your thumbs,

cashing your fuckin' cheques.

Spineless. What a giant disappointment you turned out to be.

Oh, you think you can do better?

You want the top job? Earn it!

You're only in that chair 'cause my sister fuckin' put you there!

Alright, you done?

Go home! You're relieved!

Have a shower, have a sleep. Do whatever you need.

When you're ready, come back to work.

Joely, we have a meeting.

There's nothing in the calendar.

That's on purpose.

Where are we going? You're not gonna like it.

(GLASS CLINKS)

I cannot believe this.

Irving. This is intriguing.

Well, you were the one who said that we should work together.

What have you got?

Paul's scheduled to open up the criminal code.

I plan to make some amendments.

I'm not going to support soft-on-crime justice reforms, Alex.

Oh, no, I want to increase the penalties on domestic terrorism.

Why?

Revenge?

Paulie throws you out, after everything you've done for him?

Maybe.

Maybe it's a good move.

You know, I never quite know

whether you don't know what you're doing or you do.

But if this gives me a win on the floor, then...I'm all for it.

I'll table the amendments.

You and your lot vote for it, makes Paul weak.

Does that give you some confidence?

Hmm.

You Bronco, Alex? Cowboys.

Ah, that's a shame.

JT was a ripper, though, huh?

Alright.

Let's chuck that grenade.

(PHONE CHIMES)

Paul wants a meeting.

I want a shower.

Rachel Anderson's guaranteed supply and confidence

until the next election.

Helena's absence doesn't need to be a problem.

I'll have to run all this by the party room, of course.

Mm-hm. The numbers haven't changed, Shaun.

Except they have, Sharon.

Sharon will continue to liaise with the crossbench.

Any issues or concerns, you go to her.

Yeah, and not the press.

Alright, any other concerns?

No. Are you sure?

Right, business as usual. You two, let's keep on it.

Oh, and you can tell your party room

there will be no more movement on public housing.

Tell yours we've only just started.

Alex, you might want to check in on your brother.

You alright?

This.

Us.

It's been good, right?

There's been blowback and the pandemic hasn't helped.

But, yeah. Yeah, we got a lot done.

We failed on youth justice, though.

Yeah, we did.

I'm gonna ask you to back me.

It's gonna be tough at first.

Your party room will have things to say.

What's happening?

I can't say.

But if it works, it'll be worth it.

Are we OK?

Jesus, Alex, is it even legal?

CHARLIE: I lost it at my boss, in front of my colleagues.

And it was...

Oh, God, I'm just so ashamed.

I've never done anything like that before.

Everyone makes mistakes, Charlie, and you've got a lot going on.

Yeah, but we're black. We don't get to make mistakes.

Mm.

Right? We can't be loud or angry.

We've got to be professional, on all the time.

And it's the PM's office, for Christ's sake.

But I've been working on this Indigenous health policy

for ages, you know?

Like, gap-closing policy for all our mob.

Mm-hm.

So that waiting room out there

doesn't have to be fuckin' heaving every day,

and he just shelves it!

And I didn't think it would bother me.

You know, because I'm smarter than that, and it's politics,

and...and I know the game - you win some, you lose some.

But, man, I really wanted this one, you know?

Ah...

I got too close to it, you know? Too personal.

You know, it's too important,

because Mum's dead...

And if policies like this were around,

then maybe she'd still be here, you know?

Sorry.

It's OK.

But she's gone.

You know, and she's never gonna see her grandkid grow up and...

And that's robbery...

..you know, of the gift of the person that she was.

I'm sorry. I think I just miss my mum.

(SIGHS AND SNIFFS)

Do you think it's time that you visit your mum?

CHARLIE: (ON VOICEMAIL) Hi, you've reached Charlie Irving.

I'm sorry I can't take your call right now.

If you leave a message, I'll get straight back to you.

JAY: Snail trail, bruh.

Look, in a line. See?

Oh...

(ELECTRIC RAZOR BUZZES)

What the hell are you two doin'?

We're going to a mate's place tonight.

Oh, are ya? First time I'm hearing it.

Jay's staying over tonight, too.

Is that OK, Aunty? Yeah, that's alright.

It's a school night. Be home by 11.

11? Really?

Yeah. Really.

Do you need a lift to wherever you're going?

Nah, it's alright.

That's a lethal weapon you got there, boys.

Who's that fella? He's a demon, eh?

Demon? Undercover.

Plainclothes. Probably got a gun on his hip.

Private security.

Nah, he's your dad, eh?

(ELECTRIC RAZOR BUZZES)

(POURS DRINK)

Drink?

Sure.

A cup of tea, yeah?

We're all out, sorry.

How have you been?

Been better.

EDDIE: We're off!

Alright, see ya! (DOOR CLOSES)

That was my move.

Me, too. Clever buggers.

You sure?

I'm fine, thanks.

(GROANS)

(SIGHS)

BARKAA: This is my house

I'm sorry, where the fuck is my crown, now?

Damn, this is a rich house, bro.

So? I'm out of my natural habitat.

When I left him, he said, "Go ahead, you'll regret it"

Deadly. What the fuck?

Dooti-ma

You don't speak my language

I got signed up cause sissy is so hard to manage

I've got a vocab that stabs...

Eddie, bro! What's happening, my guy?

Not a lot bro, not a lot. That's my boy, Jay.

Hey, Jay. Hey.

Is that Dex?

Jess is here. Is that why you got those new shoes?

No, I got 'em at the strip.

Nice! Maybe we can go there.

You can be the decoy for the seccies this time.

What? You don't think that'll work?

They only follow me 'cause I'm black. You know that.

No, bro, it's not like that.

How is it?

I know I'm the bait, even if you don't.

Call me King Brown, making money out my mouth...

But I'm not gonna be the bait anymore. For anyone.

Call me King Brown...

I don't even know why I do it.

Shit's fucked.

But no more, yeah?

Fuck.

You right? Yeah.

Can I get you a drink?

Yeah, a mix would be good.

I ain't crying over budoo unless that budoo makes me money

Give a fuck about these fellas? I just find them all funny

How you get lovesick, you make me sick to my stomach

Baby go and get a grip, crying like a little bitch...

I had surgery.

('TOTAL CONTROL' BY MISSY HIGGINS PLAYS SOFTLY)

For?

My heart.

Is that a pick-up line?

I had a stent put in.

What are you doing back at work?

You trying to tell me what to do again?

No. Wouldn't dream of it.

('TOTAL CONTROL' BY MISSY HIGGINS CONTINUES)

I don't know what to do with this.

And I don't need any more drama in my life, you know?

Yeah, I do.

But...

..I miss talking.

..to someone.

To you.

Maybe even you

Stay in bed

Stained sheets

My head hurts...

What do we do now?

I repeat, maybe you

Maybe you...

Do you wanna dance?

Maybe even you...

Fuck off.

Yeah?

Really?

Yeah. Oh, come on white boy.

Well, I'm leading.

Of course you are. Alright.

Well, then...

..put your hands up here. Mm-hm.

And I'll put these here.

Mm-hm. And...we just sway.

'Cause this is how we did it in the '80s.

Mmm

Yeah, I'd sell my soul

For total control

Oh-oh, oh-oh-oh

Over you

Over you

Total control over you

Over you

Total control over you

Mmm-mmm-mmm

Total control over you...

(CLATTERING)

(GASPS)

Hey, what are you doing?

I was craving eggs.

Big session today, hey?

How long was I out for? Couple of hours.

You OK?

(SIGHS HEAVILY)

(PHONE RINGS)

Eddie.

Yeah, what are you doing? You OK?

Where are you?

Uh, yeah, OK, send me the address. I'll come and get you now.

Yeah, alright.

It's Eddie.

Is he alright?

I think so.

He's with that kid, Jay.

Little shit sounds drunk. (LAUGHS) Yeah.

Uncle Charlie being Sober Bob, hey?

Good practice for when I get this alien out of me.

(MUFFLED DANCE MUSIC PLAYS)

What the hell is that?

Oh, Eddie made me take it.

Fuck off I did. Hey, stop swearing.

You stole that from your mate's?

We didn't steal it. We liberated it. (LAUGHS)

Yeah, alright, take it back.

Nah, Uncle, that's shame.

It's shame stealing. That's a four-grand painting.

Four grand?! I'm gonna start dot painting now.

(LAUGHS)

You desert breed are you, Jay?

(BOTH LAUGH)

Take it back, now.

Go on!

(GROANS) (LAUGHS)

JAY: "Take it back now."

You shut up. Shut up.

Stealing dot paintings, you clowns. What time was your curfew?

11.

Right, so, you're pissed and you're out too late.

You can crash at mine.

Oh, can we go to Macca's on the way home?

Yeah, can we? Your shout, though, Unc.

Here we go.

Chucked that 'Unc' on the end there, pretty quick.

(KNOCK AT DOOR)

(KNOCK AT DOOR)

Hi.

Hi. Can I come in?

Yeah.

Nick. Yeah.

Did he try to influence your vote for the procurement at all?

No.

Ever try to set up any meetings with Earthsong Industries?

OK. Well, that's good.

Look, it's gonna be rocky but...

..I think we'll be able to ride it out in the short term.

I think the best thing we can do is just sit tight.

You should pull your head in

and we need to wait until we see what Marion's actually written.

Should be with the lawyers soon.

What about you?

What do you mean?

How exposed, are you?

All that thinktank money.

I didn't take any thinktank money.

Look, I had donors with deep pockets. It just...

..it felt more impactful going to the other independent candidates.

I know it looks bad.

Is there anything else you haven't told me?

It's complicated, but, um...

..before Exebuild went into receivership,

they transferred their energy assets into Earthsong Industries.

You could say that they funded the tank.

Exebuild.

I know it's messy but it's not illegal

and, honestly, Alex, this is the least of our worries...

Are you kidding me?

Exebuild killed Marcie.

They killed Jess, with the help of one of your Ministers.

And they helped me get elected?

Alright, we need to keep a level head here.

We're doing an assessment on the impact of this on the Alliance.

Helena is a real blow, but, honestly, I...

..I didn't get the impression that Marion's targeting you.

Maybe if you called her. I've got her...

I think you should go.

Alex, I'm just trying to help.

Stop talking.

You fucked us, Rachel.

Me and Helena.

You put Nick onto us and you fucked us.

I have Damien in the palm of my hand and you come and tell me this.

What are you doing with Damien?

All this shit that you've gone through to get here.

And this is who you are?

Look at you.

No life.

No friends.

No family.

No-one fucking you. No-one.

Just this stupid dream of power and your endless fucking lectures!

Has it been worth it?

You finished?

Feel better now?

Fuck off.

Sure.

I am really sorry, Alex,

Get the fuck out.

You've fuckin' gotta be kidding me.

(SOBS) Shit!

Aaah!

Rachel has asked me to warn you.

Alex Irving, she's up to something. (SHARP CLAPPING)

We have a shit ton of legislation to push through today, people.

Come on, pick up. Contraction.

Shouldn't you be in the hospital or something?

Next time, call an ambulance.

While this Opposition is pissing in the wind,

we're getting the job done.

I give the call to the Member for Freeman.

I now move Amendments 4 to 11, as circulated in my name.

We need to be prepared. It might turn ugly. I now move Amendments 4 to 11, as circulated in my name.

We need to be prepared. It might turn ugly.

I told you to be patient.

Surprise.

Captions by Red Bee Media

Copyright Australian Broadcasting Corporation