Sky News Newsday with Kieran Gilbert

KIERAN GILBERT [HOST]: Let's go live to the Assistant Education Minister Anthony Chisholm, who knows Queensland politics very well. I want to start with your read on the outcome in the end, a decisive win for the LNP. Were there any green shoots for Federal Labor or is this something where you're going to have to work very hard to claim any seats and hold on to what you've got in Queensland in six or so months’ time from now?

ANTHONY CHISHOLM [ASSISTANT MINISTER]: Thanks Kieran, and good to be with you. I think the Queensland result was 10 years in the making. Obviously, it'd been a 10-year-old government and Annastacia handed over to Steven in pretty difficult circumstances 12 months ago. So, I think Steven did a formidable job over the last 10-11 months to get to the position where we did on the weekend. I think also when it comes to Queensland, what people probably in other parts of the country aren't aware of, is that Queensland Labor have been in power for 30 of the last 35 years. So, we've had a pretty good run here. And I suppose what happened with Campbell Newman was we got back to government pretty quickly after losing last time and that government lasted 10 years and did some really good things. So, I think there was a time for a change factor involved. There's obviously lessons we can learn. I thought the efforts to withstand the attacks by the Greens in some of those seats close to the city was fantastic and we retain some really good local members there. But then when you look at the results in the regional areas, that's obviously something that is disappointing. Losing a seat like Mackay that had been a Labor seat since basically its inception is a difficult one to accept and I think one that shows you at the state level we've got a lot of work to do in regional Queensland and we understand that at a Federal level as well. And that's why I think it'll be really important for the State Labor Opposition now to get out and about and make sure they're learning and listening to why people voted against us in places like Mackay and Townsville.

GILBERT: Annastacia Palaszczuk on our coverage on Saturday night said both sides have to come together and settle the Olympics pathway now to the athletic stadium. That QSAC Commonwealth Games era facility is not good enough. She wants both sides to come together and just deal with this because it's a great moment and opportunity for Queensland and the nation. But we've got to get it right.

CHISHOLM: We do Kieran, and I found it particularly frustrating the last 12 months that the lack of optimism around the Olympics in the South East corner and I think it's going to be absolutely fantastic. I get the sense from your question that you share that too. But I don't think the population of Queensland are feeling that excitement at the moment. So, I really hope that we can settle those issues around the stadium and that once we do that, we can get on with building the infrastructure that we need and it can be something that Queensland, and ultimately the country, embraces. That will be really exciting for Queensland and the country at the same time. So, we've still got time to settle that. We want to play our part constructively at the Federal level and I'm optimistic that we'll have a fantastic games and I look forward to being a constructive part of that solution.

GILBERT: The government's wanting to focus on people's cost of living pressures. I know Jim Chalmers’s inflation number is tomorrow. He's going to be responding to that and trying to build some momentum. It's hard, though, when you've got the Prime Minister's Qantas upgrades dominating so much attention. Do you think it passes the pub test that he sought upgrades at the same time for personal trips overseas, economy to business or whatever else while he's overseeing the transport portfolio?

CHISHOLM: Obviously, the Prime Minister is a very experienced politician. He's been in the Parliament for a long time now. I think what you see is that he's declared these trips which is appropriate. He takes integrity and accountability seriously. I've known that since we came to government and he appointed me as Assistant Minister. So, it's something that the government is well aware of to make sure that we declare these things appropriately. That's what we do. That's what the Prime Minister sets his example by. And that's why these issues are in the public domain at the moment. I think in terms of the focus on the government, we are getting on with those issues that you talk about. We understand how important it is. And I think the Queensland election result just drives home exactly what you need to do to ensure that you're in touch with what the electorate are thinking and in delivering on their concerns as well.

GILBERT: It would be easier if he kicked into touch some of the claims made against him. My colleague Andrew Clennell reported that his understanding is that the Prime Minister's position is he didn't talk to Alan Joyce directly for flight upgrades or for his son's Chairman’s Lounge pass. If he can just respond to those directly and repudiate them, isn't that the best way to go about it?

CHISHOLM: Well, from what I've seen, Kieran, the Prime Minister, has done that and he's answered those questions that have been put to him over the last couple of days. I think the point to make is that these are in the public domain because the Prime Minister did declare them as was appropriate. And that's why he takes that integrity and accountability component of his job as a Member of Parliament. And indeed, now as Prime Minister, he sees that as very important and has been diligent in his efforts in that regard.

GILBERT: Labor frontbencher Anthony Chisholm, appreciate your time. Thanks.