Total Control (2019) s01e02 Episode Script

1 You must be Alexandra Irving.
- Prime Minister.
- What you did was incredible.
Is this what you wanted? Well?! I want people like you, women like you, on my team.
Honestly, sis, they just want a pet Aborigine.
Is that who you are? That's Damien Bauer.
He's currently doing a wonderful job of white-anting the PM.
Now, I've written a speech that ensures you get to stick around a bit longer.
I am sick and tired of pretending that everything is OK.
A 16-year-old Indigenous woman died in detention two weeks ago.
I can't breathe! She had an asthma attack.
Her name was Marcie Maclean.
Now, when I talk about being under threat, she's who I'm talking about.
If I can stand up in the Senate, then anyone can.
Publicity stunt or not, that's why I'm here.
The US Secretary of State, Ryan George, has unexpectedly flown into Canberra tonight to meet with Prime Minister Rachel Anderson.
His last-minute visit increases ongoing speculation that America is keen to shore up its presence in the Asia-Pacific region.
As the Coalition continues to strengthen its ties with China, his arrival can only spell more headaches for the embattled We had agreed we'd make the announcement after the election.
Taiwan's push for independence has changed everything.
Well, everything except China being our biggest trading partner.
I have to tell you, it's not a whole lot of fun being on the other side of your president's zero-sum game.
But I'm sure you'll appreciate that we are trying to balance out our regional multilateral agreements.
You've always known that you would have to make a choice sooner or later.
Later is no longer an option.
I have a very slim majority.
This next election's gonna be very tight.
We sympathise, but that's your concern, not ours.
Australia has always supported the United States.
Your bases are already across the Top End, your marines are in Darwin, we gather your intelligence, and we've supported every single US-sponsored resolution in the United Nations.
We even backed you on Jerusalem.
I just can't say how this is gonna play out for me domestically right now.
May I be frank? The President simply doesn't care.
You've got a big country here.
Most of it is desert.
I don't know why this has to be such a big deal.
Peter? - Where's Alex Irving? - Winton.
Yeah, get her back.
Tag.
Thanks, Roger.
Alex.
Sorry to bring you back at such short notice.
No, that's fine.
How's your boy? - He's good.
- Good.
Come on through.
Take a seat.
Thank you for the shoes.
Oh! For those days you can't be barefoot.
Angela Merkel put me onto them.
As you know, I met with the US Secretary of State, and, as expected, he requested permission to establish another defence base on our soil.
I'd like to fill you in on the background.
I can message you when they're finished, if you like.
Uh I'll wait.
They're keen to strengthen their strike capabilities in this area.
They need to establish an air force base that doesn't intrude on Indonesian airspace that's also safe from attack by sea.
I don't need to tell you that that base would fall under your native title lands.
Ah.
So this is why I'm here, is it? To help you sell this to my mob.
We could declare the land prohibited under the Defence Special Undertakings Act.
That would pay your people around 60% of the land value in compensation.
That would be considered just terms.
This is a position that many in the party would feel happy with.
But I don't want to do that.
- What DO you want to do? - I want to win an election.
To do that, I need to bury any political fallout from this decision.
Both our governments are very keen to get this done fast.
We don't want to be tied up in a long legal process.
So there'll be a lot of sugar on the table.
You and I spoke about making a real difference in Winton.
This is your opportunity to get a lot more than a medical centre.
That will be expensive.
And I would need to guarantee you'll back me on this.
You'd have it.
And nothing would be off the table.
We'll be under close scrutiny.
How will you deal with the conflict of interest? Declare it up front.
And I would be exempt from any compensation.
You know they may not listen to me? Alex, you stared down a gunman not long ago.
I brought you into the Senate because you're a leader.
So go fucking lead.
Wow.
That's a big responsibility.
No shit.
OK, well, I'll need a list of native title holders, a venue, and a car hire service.
Tracey will organise the flight.
What? You're not a native title holder.
You don't need to be there.
- Oh, I'll be coming.
- No, you're not.
Have you organised a stakeholder meeting before? You'll need logistic support and advice when Alex.
Could I just have a word, please? Look, um I I just wanted to let you know that I'm expecting the findings into Marcie Maclean's death, uh, any day, and as soon as I receive them, I'll announce them to parliament.
OK? And to the press.
OK? Does that address your concerns? - Thank you, Kevin.
I appreciate that.
- You're welcome.
Do you think you could wrangle your senator, Mr Cosgrove? Running straight to the media about that girl hasn't won her any fans in our department.
Oh, I know.
She's just so savage.
Oh That wasn't what I was implying.
I was just Relax, Daphne.
I've already stopped listening.
And where are your manners? Jonathan Cosgrove.
- Christopher Bingham.
- Hm.
See, Daphne? That's how it's done.
We all play for the same team here.
Rachel's briefed me on your Winton trip.
Alex, she really needs our support.
Um, her department have commissioned some broader polling and it's showing that overall support for her has softened and that, uh, for the first time, Laurie Martin's ahead as preferred prime minister, so, well there's a lot riding on you getting this deal over the line.
Um so, good luck with the negotiations and, um, Indigenous Affairs is right behind you.
Thank you, Kevin.
- No, I'm afraid she's not.
- We need to talk strategy.
Oh! She's just arrived, Minister.
No, I haven't.
If you're gonna be running negotiations I told you, you are not coming! I'm sorry, she seems to have stepped out again.
My apologies.
Will do.
I take it you've rung me by mistake? I don't do anything by mistake, Tom.
You know that.
Well, what do you want, Alex? I need you to bring the families together.
And why would I want to do that? You got the list of native title holders? So, it's just like Canberra, only Aboriginal politics is far more complicated.
- Brumby Dibby - Is that a real name? She's the senior boss of this country.
She knows all the Dreamings.
We have to see her first.
And if she agrees to come to the meeting, we're halfway there.
Wait here.
- Is she coming? - Dunno.
Ladies and gentlemen.
Sorry to, uh, keep you waiting.
Ooh, it's a bit brisk.
Nina.
How are you going? - Very well, thank you.
- All right.
We rolling? After a thorough investigation by my department, the findings have confirmed the initial reports, uh, that the young woman died as a result of a an asthma attack.
I'm satisfied that the detention centre staff gave Ms Maclean every assistance, uh, and acted entirely within the scope of their responsibilities.
The biggest tragedy, uh, is that Ms Maclean had long been regarded by welfare agencies as at risk.
Early intervention is crucial when children suffer from neglect and poverty.
And the phone credit.
Unfortunately for Ms Maclean, any intervention came too late.
Thank you, ladies and gentlemen.
There won't be any questions.
Good afternoon.
Senator Irving's office.
Hello? Hello? Is there anyone there? You need a lift? Which way are you going? Hop in.
- Alex.
- Hey, Len.
How you going? Hey, Patsy.
Ah! If it isn't the senator! How are you doing? - I'm good.
And you? - Yeah, good.
- The usual? - Yeah.
Thanks.
Uh, same.
That's the Campbells.
Stay here.
Hi, Tom.
Just paying my respects before the meeting tomorrow, and to thank you and all your mob for agreeing to come.
Tom Jr.
Well, that went better than expected.
Thanks, Patsy.
Don't let old man Campbell get to you.
This town needs jobs and new people.
Even if they are Yanks.
- Who's with the Campbells? - Native title lawyers.
They'll take the high moral ground.
Deep down, they think it's grubby for blackfellas to want money at all and we should go back to living like proper natives, living pure on the land.
And what's with the attitude? Some people say that only men can talk for country.
Old Tom? He won't like a woman leading the discussion.
See, my family, they haven't been involved in native title stuff, so they don't take us seriously.
Hew.
Alex.
You've come a long way just to be told to fuck off again.
The Campbells aren't the only TOs in the town.
Oh, I'm not just talking about the Toms.
Good luck tomorrow.
Well, see you tomorrow.
Uh, can you give me a lift to the motel? You're already here.
See Patsy.
She'll give you your room key.
Wow.
Really? Mm-hm.
"Senator".
That suits you.
Thanks for noticing.
Thanks for getting everyone to the meeting.
Well, they'll come but they might not agree.
You gonna help me, or what? You know I can't support you on this, Alex.
Them Canberra mob, any chance they get, they screw us.
But they sent me.
Yeah.
But can we trust you? You have to ask that? You right, love? I was getting sleepy, so I pulled over for a cuppa.
You want one? So, how long you been on the road for? A while.
Did I freak you out? I'm really sorry.
I didn't mean to.
You OK now? Hey, darling.
Hey, Mum.
Training tires him out, poor little thing.
- Bet old Tom was rapt to see you.
- Oh, burst into song.
- How's Canberra? - It's cold.
You coming to the meeting? Won't make no difference me being there.
It will to me.
You've as much right to be there as anyone.
Tell that to the Campbells.
Yeah, well, about time they listened for a change.
Well they were here when I wasn't.
I guess they've earned the right to speak.
Got something for you.
You know, I don't like my kids fighting.
What brought that on? Have you spoken to your brother? Why are you picking on me? He hasn't called me either.
For you.
From the Prime Minister.
Reckons they're the comfiest in the world.
Says the Queen put her onto them.
Might be good for court.
So, are you going to bed now? I can't sleep.
I'm gonna go for a drive.
Night.
You scared? Yeah.
Do you want to talk about the meeting? Nuh.
I want to go to the meeting.
It'll be boring as.
Come on.
I'll drop you off at school on the way to the meeting, eh? - What are you looking at? - Nothing.
You know, I'd wear those new shoes you gave me, but you know them mob, they'll be real jealous.
You ready to go? See you, darl.
This is how the day's gonna run.
There'll be the Jamesons, led by Leanne and Norman.
They're Sunset mob.
They speak for the land west of the gorge all the way to the Diamantina.
Both from big families.
They're really important.
Then there's the Gibsons, led by matriarch Pearl and her two sons, Jeremiah and Travis.
They're Sunrise, east of the gorge to the flood plains up north.
And they're reigning champs at the rodeo.
Then there's the Morgans.
Their mob speak for the area between the two rivers, led by Bill and Fran.
And they hate the Jamesons.
No-one really remembers why.
Throw into the mix some random interest groups, anthropologists, lawyers, hanger-onners, all keen to have their say, and you've got yourself a land council meeting.
You ready? Brumby's not here.
Well, we start anyway.
Right, thanks for all coming.
Let's get started, eh? Before we begin, I'm Nathan Smith.
I represent Exebuild.
We're hoping to tender on this project.
Construction already? This meeting is for native title holders only.
Hey, um, this is a closed meeting, so anyone who isn't mob, you should leave.
Go on.
You too.
- Sorry? - Outside.
All yours.
I know there's a lot of hurt and anger in this room.
I understand.
Good morning.
Senator Irving's office.
Hello? Hello? Oh, hi.
How can I help you? I need to speak to that black senator.
- Senator Irving? - Yeah.
Can I get her number? Uh, look, we we don't give out direct numbers.
- Please? - Um OK, I'll check in with the senator to see if it's OK to give you her number.
So, if you call me back this afternoon.
- OK.
- OK.
Bye.
- Hello? - How are things progressing? It's a bit early to tell.
Well, any specific details yet? Well, the senator's making great progress.
They're open to negotiating.
Jonathan, whereabouts are you? I'm outside.
What the hell's going on? I've left the meeting.
- Why? - Protocol.
Well, Bauer's stirring up shit about the negotiations.
So get the fuck back in there.
Do I want to know? No.
There's nothing to talk about! We have a sacred responsibility to protect the land as it protects us.
The land owns us! We fought hard for native title.
My father died before we won.
He never got to walk freely on the land that was his.
I'm not handing it back to some military base.
We're talking about a lease.
Not perpetuity.
And with all respect we have the power this time around.
We never have the power.
Every day, I teach about how governments break their promises.
Giving with one hand, taking away with the other.
They make celebrities of a few of us, marginalise the rest.
I say we go to court.
I have the PM's word.
You've been brainwashed, girl! We don't trust you.
We need to talk.
- You're one of them now.
- Mm-hm.
So you'd better go.
Is that what you all think? - No! - Jan? I said no.
Now, I know I've been absent for too many of these meetings.
But I didn't grow up on country.
They took me away 'cause my skin is too light.
But when I came back I didn't feel like I belonged.
Not like the rest of you.
So, yeah, I don't usually come to these meetings.
But the ones I have gone to, pfft! Same old shit same old feuds.
Now, we're facing something big.
So we gotta think big.
My daughter is not some faceless government suit! She belongs to this community! And at the end of the day, she's gotta look you all in the eyes.
So why would she destroy that? Why would she deliberately betray us? She deserves respect.
Not to be kicked out like some stray mongrel dog! So, you got something to say, baby you say it.
Look, all I ask is that you listen to what's being offered.
The government is ready to negotiate with you over your land.
It's up to you to figure out what it's worth.
The average hardworking Queenslander has a right to be concerned.
Our alliance with the United States is being held hostage by local Indigenous stakeholders risking our country's safety ahead of their own narrow vested interests.
Now, the Prime Minister has chosen Senator Irving to oversee these discussions.
She herself is a native title holder and stands to profit very handsomely from any compensation.
Now, I don't know about these southerners, but I can tell you quite - Just hang on, mate.
- Excuse me.
Christ.
Fucking Think about what we need when the base finally closes down, because right now we have a chance to set this place up for the future.
Sorry for interrupting, Tom, but this whole thing is a waste of time! The state government just shut you down, Senator.
Now, whatever it is that you decide here, they just made it public that they're not gonna back it.
This is federal government, Hew, not state.
And this is an election year.
Your precious PM isn't gonna risk losing Queensland.
Peter thinks Bauer's behind it.
Shit.
Tom! Sorry, Senator.
These negotiations pose a threat to national security.
What is it about the safety of this country that the Prime Minister doesn't understand? Well, let me help her.
It's not negotiable.
Not with white people, not with black people, not with anyone.
Are you going to challenge for the leadership? You people are obsessed! I have zero intentions to challenge for the leadership.
Thank you.
It's just pushback from the right.
But they really shouldn't have gone public.
So, what's next? Nothing.
- No, seriously.
- Yes, seriously.
Senator How am I supposed to get them back in the room after what's happened? You must have some idea.
Well, you tell me, 'cause I've got no idea.
Oh, Christ.
It's Bauer.
Wh Uh, Senator, no Damien.
It's Alex.
How dare you accuse me of profiting from these negotiations when everyone knows you lot get kickbacks from your mining mates and you're constantly rorting travel allowances? I know you fought my appointment, you two-faced, slimy fuck, and you'd blow up the party for a tilt at the PM's job, but let me tell you, mate, the average Australian would rather a used condom as prime minister than you, so you can fuck right off, you fuckin' hypocrite! - What was that? - The truth.
You never show your hand in politics.
- What did you say to Canberra? - Negotiations are ongoing.
Patsy, two more.
Shut up, dog! Hey, there's these things called cups, you know? Yeah, and there's these things called shitheads.
Want one? Uh, yeah.
Green tea, please.
Wanker.
- You can't stand it, can you? - Don't start.
You can't stand me being up there and not you.
Here we go.
No, you wrote me off.
Your redneck sister.
Are you angry with me because I disagreed with you, Alex? I mean, grow up! You know, I'm pretty bloody used to you grandstanding, but you could have at least had the guts to stick up for me.
They almost kicked me out of the meeting - and you stood there and you said nothing! - OK.
OK.
These people don't know whether to trust you, and that fucking government of yours, you call them "allies".
What are you? I'm sorry.
I'm sorry.
At least you didn't walk out on me this time.
- Eh? - My maiden speech.
All right, I couldn't sit there and hear you say those words.
I'm trying to play the long game, Charlie.
Or, at least, I'm trying to.
What are you doing? Hello there.
Nothing like a swim after a hot day.
It's all right, love.
Those are mine.
Relax.
It's all right.
I run the joint.
You, uh, here by yourself? You know I usually call the cops on trespassers.
But, um, since it's such a stinker of a day I'll let it slide.
But since I'm being nice you've gotta be nice too.
Huh? So, what do you reckon? It's all right.
It's all right.
It's all right.
Hey, girl.
Come on.
Come on! Come on, you black bitch! Aaagh! Don't look at me like that.
She wouldn't come to the first meeting.
Why is she gonna change her mind? Hello, Auntie.
I heard your mother spoke up at the meeting yesterday and it was good.
Yeah.
First time ever.
I want to show you something.
Come on.
This is a very special place.
It's called Kirrendirri.
My mum taught me about this place.
I know how important it is.
Gotta look after our country and our culture.
Right? I promise.
I'm not gonna beg for your attention, Tom.
You know the state government doesn't have a say in these negotiations.
You're just looking for an excuse to walk away.
So why don't we live in the real world for the moment, yeah? The federal government wants the land, they're prepared to pay for it, and we now have a Prime Minister who's willing to honour her word.
Which is why I'm giving mine.
But you walk away they'll take the land anyway.
And you'll be left with what? 60% land value? Forget about everything else.
So, what are you gonna tell your grandkids when they ask why there's no blackfellas working on the site? Why there's still no schools? No health care clinics? Why there's no investment? No care for the Dreaming sites? And why we're still playing in the fuckin' dirt when you had a chance to change all that? There are others in the party who'd take this from us, so we need to do the deal now or we lose it.
I promised Brumby the sites would be protected.
But we need to have a meeting to work it out.
I've booked the hall for tomorrow.
Brumby said she'd come if you do.
And so will the others.
Is ready for it Uh, Senator? Think I'd better put the urn on.
Good morning, dear.
Thank you, everyone, for coming again.
I know how hard this is.
The government wants a 100-year lease.
So my advice is to say no.
They want our land? They can have it for 25 years on our terms.
And then we get to renegotiate after that.
Yeah, sis.
I think you're right there.
We all do need jobs.
These young fellas, what are they doing with themselves? Roaming the streets, going nowhere.
Half of that base is going to be on my traditional country? Then we'll support it.
But we want certainly more than just token.
It's gotta be far greater than just This thing's gonna be good for us.
I think we should all have Prime Minister, we have an agreement.
This is what we're after.
Health services for our old people and scholarships for our young.
A housing program for families to purchase first homes.
A guarantee of 30% jobs to Indigenous and local contractors.
Joint approval of the construction company.
And in return, you get your base.
So, in summary, a $5 billion future fund to be administered by the community on behalf of the native title holders.
Yes, Prime Minister.
I'll pass it on.
Well done, Senator.
Now we've just got to get it through the House.
Looks like a storm's coming.
Look what you fuckin' did! Gotta say, I don't miss the neighbours.
I'm proud of you, girl.
I'm proud of you, Mum.
- It's probably the PM.
- Yeah, wanting her shoes back.
- Hello? - Hello? Who's this? I'm a friend of Marcie's.
Are you the girl who's been calling my office? It isn't true what he said about Marcie.
She didn't just have an asthma attack.
They shot tear gas at us.
And then they laughed.
They were laughing as she was dying.
You lied.
You're all liars.
How do I know you're telling the truth? Because I was with her.
And I filmed it all.
What's your name? Where are you? Hello? This afternoon, I declared my intention to challenge for the leadership of the Coalition.
I'm happy to kick Bauer's arse.
I'm gonna hold you to that.
You and the PM are cut from the same cloth.
Hmm.
Well, we both have vaginas.
I can't help you unless I see the video.
I'm coming to Canberra.
At least half your rabble are on the brink of revolt.
What's wrong? And in a mutiny, all manner of people and things, they just get tossed overboard.
FUCK!