ANTHONY ALBANESE, PRIME MINISTER: Well, it’s terrific to meet with Prime Minister Carney here in Canada. This is the first visit by an Australian Prime Minister to Canada since 2014. Canada and Australia have so much in common. We share values. We're two great democracies. And it was an opportunity for us to talk together one on one, as we were able to in Rome and as we had in a number of phone conversations that I'd had with Prime Minister Carney since our respective either elections or appointments as prime ministers. We're very grateful, firstly, for the opportunity to participate at the G7 as an outreach partner. This is the second time I've been able to participate in the G7 after Hiroshima a couple of years ago. Australia and Canada share values. We are long term allies, and we are true friends. We have much in common as economies as well. The Canadian pension funds play an important investment role in Australia and Australian superfunds are playing an increasing role here in Canada as well. And two-way trade is something that is growing, but there is enormous opportunity going forward. Canada is the 8th largest investor in Australia at the moment and there is potential, I believe, for that to grow. We did discuss deepening defence engagement, including Canada's proposed procurement of Australian Over The Horizon Radar technology. I welcome Canada's interest in procuring Australia's world leading technology and look forward to our respective teams prioritising this work. We want to increase our cooperation on security, trade and energy. And over a period of time, Australia and Canada have been joint signatories as well to various statements, sometimes between just Australia, Canada and New Zealand, but sometimes as well with other nations because we do share such common values going forward.
I did express the thoughts of Australians with our Canadian counterparts at this time with the wildfires that they are experiencing. Both Australia and Canada also share views about climate change and about the impact that it's having on our respective countries. And the Prime Minister thanked Australia for the contingent of 97 personnel who are here assisting with the firefighting which is going across three states here in Canada. Just as Canada has always helped Australia, there were over 200 Canadian firefighters in Australia during that terrible period of 2019-2020. And we share resources. Increasingly, the impact of climate change means that our seasons are overlapping, so that's becoming more and more difficult. But it is possible, as well, that we learn off each other and our firefighters, respectively, get skills to then be able to implement back in our respective home countries. I'm really looking forward to the G7 over the next couple of days. There are a range of bilaterals with our friends organised, as well as – with G7 nations – as well as an opportunity to meet for the first time the new President of Korea. I had a phone conversation with the President on Thursday night to congratulate him on his election. I look forward to our first meeting, as well as renewing acquaintances with so many partners from the UK, Japan, Germany and other countries as well as the meetings that I have planned with the European Union and NATO. Happy to take questions.
JOURNALIST: Prime Minister, Israel's President has called overnight for the G7 to make a statement in support of Israel and its fight against Iran. Is that something you think the G7 should do or Mr. Carney and you, did you discuss Israel and Iran?
PRIME MINISTER: We did discuss Israel and Iran and both of us, I think, share a view, wanting to see a de-escalation of conflict. Wanting to prioritise dialogue and diplomacy. Australia has a Do Not Travel warning for Israel and Iran. Australia, of course – I've expressed before – our concern about Iran gaining the capacity of nuclear weapons as something that is a threat to security in the region. But we, along with other like-minded countries, do want to see that priority on dialogue and diplomacy.
JOURNALIST: What will your attitude be – sorry – what will your attitude be if there is a move for a joint statement of support for Israel at this meeting?
PRIME MINISTER: Well, we're not members of the G7, so we won't – I should imagine, that that will be something that is up to G7 countries to discuss.
JOURNALIST: Prime Minister, you have been very clear in your concerns about whether aid is getting into Gaza while these strikes are unfolding. There is no more aid getting into Gaza. So, when you meet with US President Donald Trump, will you be calling on him to apply some pressure to the Prime Minister of Israel to allow aid through?
PRIME MINISTER: The discussion with President Trump, I expect, will be very much about Australia and the United States and our relations. That will be very much the focus. We've got a few things to talk about and that will be the focus of our discussions.
JOURNALIST: Prime Minister, just back on the meeting with Prime Minister Carney, did you discuss Pillar II and Canada's further involvement in Pillar II and did the Canadian Prime Minister express any concern that the US may be wavering on the AUKUS deal more generally?
PRIME MINISTER: On the latter, no. On the former, yes, we did discuss Pillar II and Canada's desire to be involved.
JOURNALIST: Prime Minister, the Israel-Iran conflict at the moment has the potential to send oil prices skyrocketing. In Australia, there's a vulnerability that's been identified by lots of defence experts, and that's our lack of a fuel reserve. The IEA should have 90 days. We have something like 40 days and much of that's on coastal waters. Does this give you reason to actually start looking at bolstering Australia's onshore fuel supplies, reserves, above and beyond what we already have?
PRIME MINISTER: This is something that has been there for quite a while as a concern, and it is something that the Government continues to monitor.
JOURNALIST: Prime Minister, did you discuss with Prime Minister Carney, Trump, President Trump, and he's had a face-to-face meeting with him. Did he talk to you about that or give you some tips on how to handle him?
PRIME MINISTER: Well, I think that the issues between Canada and the United States have been very public and very obvious what they are. But we focused very much our discussion on Australia and Canada and our relationship, which is very important.
JOURNALIST: So, Trump’s bilaterals have been fraught in the past, notably with Zelenskyy and the South African President. Are you concerned that a similar situation could happen with your talks with Mr. Trump?
PRIME MINISTER: No, I look forward to the discussions with President Trump. I deal with people constructively, respectfully, and I advance Australia's national interests and that is what I'll continue to do.
JOURNALIST: Prime Minister, Canada has a similar approach to trade as Australia, and in many ways the UK as well. Would you consider forming some kind of alliance with Canada or with other nations here in the G7 to pressure the United States to relax their positions when it comes to tariffs?
PRIME MINISTER: Well, of course, Australia currently is the chair of the CPTPP, and we participate – I'll be running into Prime Minister Carney a few times at the G20, at APEC, at various forums that we participate in. And so, we do share a lot in common. So, one example is over aluminium. Rio Tinto, in both of our countries, are the major players when it comes to aluminium, including exports to the United States. I think that Australia and Canada, like many nations who are represented at the G7, continue to emphasise the importance of free and fair trade and the benefit that free and fair trade gives to the global economy.
JOURNALIST: Just back to Michael's question and the broader context of defence alliances. So, first, what was your response to Canada's bid on Pillar II? Are you amenable to it? And I noticed today in material circulated by your Office, you're going to green light ministerial level discussions of one of those security partnerships with the EU. Are you sort of more keen on that idea – the latter – now, given the volatility of the world, is it a case we have to start building more security partnerships?
PRIME MINISTER: I think that Australia always has a case for maximising our defence and security relationships in what is an uncertain world. We have had discussions with Indonesia, with Papua New Guinea, particularly, in our region. It's something that I discussed with Prime Minister Wong in Singapore, and it's something that Australia and Canada – because of our shared history – we're both Commonwealth nation as well. We have shared experience and shared values and, often, we have fought side by side, Australia and Canada, going forward. I think when we look at issues such as defence procurement as well, there's areas of cooperation, including, of course, on the Over The Horizon technology that we've produced. But there will be other areas as well. We're also both Five Eyes countries, so there's a lot of cooperation occurs already in intelligence. I think what's clear is that in the uncertain world, what people are looking for is certainty in relationships, trusted relationships. Australia and Canada are just such partners.
JOURNALIST: And sorry on the EU, PM, and your views –
PRIME MINISTER: The European Union – well, we will – I'll be meeting with Ursula von der Leyen over the next couple of days, and also with Antonio Costa as well. I'll enter those discussions constructively, but we look to cooperate and to strengthen Australia's capacity. One of the things that I've said consistently is we invest in our capability, and we invest in our relationships. The two things are important and often an investment in our relationships can produce very effective outcomes, economically, as well.
JOURNALIST: Are there any final approvals or are there any impediments at the Australian end, if you like, to Australia actually signing off on the JORN Radar Network? And secondly, you mentioned the two of you discussed climate change. Canada's 2035 target is 40 to 40 - Sorry, 45 to 50 per cent by 2035. Is that – did you discuss that? And is that about where you think Australia might land?
PRIME MINISTER: On the latter, no, we didn't discuss targets. We await the advice from the Climate Change Authority. And on the former –
JOURNALIST: On the radar –
PRIME MINISTER: Look, those discussions are ongoing. Canada has expressed an interest, and our respective parties are working those issues through.
JOURNALIST: Prime Minister, on your upcoming trilateral with the European Union and the European Council. Do you expect there'll be a breakthrough in relation to the free trade agreement? And in your opinion, do you think it's incumbent on the EU to concede on some of those original trade barriers like export quantities and the naming conventions around products?
PRIME MINISTER: I would always expect the Europeans to agree and would like for everyone to agree with Australia's position on everything as we go forward. Would I expect that we'll be agreeing to the free trade agreement here? No, I wouldn't expect that that's the case. But I would expect us to be able to advance the issues that Australia has put forward. One of those is about naming, and there's been some constructive discussion there. The second is access, particularly for beef and sheep meat, to the European markets. That has been something that has been an impediment previously to the finalisation of any agreement. Australia will only sign up to an agreement that is in Australia's national interest. Now, I think that the fact that during the last term we had negotiations and then we walked away is important, because what that does is confirm that we are prepared to walk away. And if you're trying to advance your national interest, then you need to be serious about that and show that you are. And so, whether it's this or any other agreement for that matter, my job is to represent Australia's national interest. We will do that. But I wouldn't expect that we'll finalise it here, but that we will build on the constructive discussions that Senator Farrell, our Minister, had in Europe just a week ago. I was able to be briefed by the Minister about where those discussions were up to, and I hope to get it advanced.
JOURNALIST: What would a successful meeting with the US President look like to you? And is there one thing you'd want to achieve from it?
PRIME MINISTER: Look, I don't want to pre-empt outcomes of meetings. A successful meeting is one where we are able to – I, as the Australian Prime Minister – am able to put forward our position. Now, our position when it comes to tariffs is very clear. We see tariffs as acts of economic self-harm by the country imposing the tariffs because what it does is lead to increased costs for the country that is making those decisions. Very clearly, if you have tariffs of 10 per cent across the board, which has occurred by the United States, then what that does is doesn't change the competitive advantage situation for any nation exporting goods or services to the United States. So, it doesn't change that dynamic. All it does is increase the costs. Now, I would hope that over a period of time, the United States revisits that position and will continue to advocate that. On steel and aluminium, I think that we will continue to put forward our position there as well that, you know, there aren't increased steel production facilities that have appeared since January 20th in the United States. The exports are still going in there, they're just paying more for them. On AUKUS, it is very much in the interest of all three countries. What AUKUS offers the United States is, firstly, the support that we're providing for their industrial capacity. Secondly, the increased capacity to have their subs in the water as well because of the maintenance facilities that will take place at Henderson. In addition to that, there's all of the support that we give to the United States and with our defence relationships, including fuel reserves in the Northern Territory, including the presence of US Forces in Darwin as well. There's a range of benefits that come. And indeed, having Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States all having increased nuclear powered submarines, in our case conventionally armed, is something that will make the Indo Pacific area more secure. That is in the interests of the United States. And I will indicate that very clearly going forward.
JOURNALIST: In the context of the AUKUS discussions, there has been some speculation out of the United States that there is some concern about Australia's responsibility and role in that deal moving forward. I guess the question I have for you, Prime Minister, is can Donald Trump and America be confident that Australia would stand shoulder to shoulder with them in the event of a major conflict in the Indo Pacific and in the event that China invades Taiwan or by whatever means that happens, as has been a stated goal by the CCP?
PRIME MINISTER: Well, the role of AUKUS and the role of nation states in our region, including our partners, is for peace and security in the region. That's what we want. And Australia is a trusted partner to promote peace and security in our region. We have been so forever, if you look at the role that Australia has played. We’ll continue to play an important role in the Pacific. The visit that I had on the way here to Fiji is another example and a reminder of the fact that Australia is a trusted partner in the Pacific. What that does is to add to security in our region. That is our job. That is our job. That is what we do. And we all want to see that advance.
JOURNALIST: Do you think China will come up, Prime Minister?
PRIME MINISTER: I'm not pre-empting discussions that take place.
JOURNALIST: PM, is there a shift in your position on the EU defence pact? After the Pope's inauguration I think there was a note of caution from the Government about Australia signing on.
PRIME MINISTER: No, well, that was the first time that it was raised with us. We've continued since then to have some discussions and I look forward to having discussions with the EU tomorrow I think, or Tuesday. The diary is all a bit – the time zones have got to all of us, I think. Thanks very much.