Total Control (2019) s03e01 Episode Script

1
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.
- 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.