Doorstop interview

JOURNALIST:The Philippines hasformally accepted Australia's offer for assistance, how many troops will besent to the Philippines?

JULIE BISHOP:Well that's not theposition. The Australian Government supports the Philippines Government's fightagainst terrorism, and that's why we are providing assistance in the form ofsurveillance and real-time information to the Armed Forces Philippines.What I did in my recent discussions with President Duterte was set out thekind of support that Australia could offer in assisting in the fightagainst terrorism, our counter-terrorism capability. The Presidentindicated that they were open to more support from Australia andother countries but the detail of it hasn't been specified. It's fartoo early to even speculate because the Philippines haven't indicated whatlevel of support or what form that support would take. But overallit's in our interest to ensure that the Southern Philippines does notbecome a foothold for ISIS, the terrorist organisation thatis wreaking havoc in Iraq and Syria.

JOURNALIST: Are we open toputting troops on the ground?

JULIE BISHOP: No.

JOURNALIST:Not at all? Is therea cap on how many troops might be sent?

JULIE BISHOP:We are talking aboutadvising and assisting and training. This is not about troops on theground, the Philippines would not accept that and it hasn't been offered.

JOURNALIST: Would that training happen in Australiaor in the Philippines?

JULIE BISHOP:It's far tooearly to say because the Philippines haven't indicated the levelof support they require. The Armed Forces Philippines are currentlyengaged in a battle for the control of Marawi. About 750 peoplehave been killed, about 360,000 people have been displaced. It'sclearly in the interests of the stability and security of the Philippinesand our region that the Armed Forces of the Philippines are able tore-take control of Marawi. Australia has offered to help, thePhilippines have said they are open to further assistance but theyhaven't given any details of what they would require.

JOURNALIST: Do you think the Prime Ministerwill face a bit of a hostile crowd in Perth at the WA LiberalConference given he is yet to act on GST reform for the state there?

JULIE BISHOP:ThePrime Minister will be warmly welcomed back in Western Australia. Hewas there recently and he has come back for the State Liberal Party Conference,and people appreciate his presence. The issue of the GST is one that weare working on. Bill Shorten had absolutely no answers for it when itwas put to him. The Coalition have asked the Productivity Commissionto look at the distribution of GST because of the national economicimplications rather than just a state-by-state issue and we are awaitingthe Productivity Commission report. The Prime Minister has beenvery up front about wanting to address the GST issue and last time hewas at our State Conference, he made a very positive contribution tothe debate about the GST but there are much broader issues we needto discuss across the board and that will include how to createmore jobs, how to stimulate more economic growth in Western Australiaand elsewhere.

JOURNALIST: How are talks with the newState Government going between Mr Turnbull and the new Premier McGowan?

JULIE BISHOP:Well, the PrimeMinister is in Kalgoorlie today. I'm sure that he will have aperfectly appropriate civil conversation with the Premier. Of course, itis in Western Australia's interests for there to be close rapportbetween the Federal Government and the State Government on all issues. Iwould hope that Premier McGowan saw this as an opportunity to putforward his sensible propositions regarding the GST distribution. It'sup to the Premier to indicate how he believes the GST could bedifferently distributed. Thank you.