SANDRA MOON, HOST: Prime Minister, good morning.
ANTHONY ALBANESE, PRIME MINISTER: Good to be with you, and a shout out to all the wonderful people at Soden's last night. I ran into Vicki who was having a birthday with a bunch of her mates and it was a really friendly atmosphere and a great country pub.
MOON: Well, great to have you in the region, but what are you doing here?
PRIME MINISTER: Well, this morning I'm on my way now to go to the Urgent Care Clinic, just one of the now 124 that we've opened around Australia and it's been a huge success there. Already it's seeing around about 130 patients a week, taking pressure off the hospital system, of course. But importantly as well, people being able to get the care they need, when they need it, with just their Medicare card. And I'm talking as well about the success of our tripling of the bulk billing incentive has meant that in the Farrer electorate, the number of fully bulk billing clinics has gone up to 27 -18 of those are newly fully bulk billed as a result of that investment that we made just from November. So, it's really making a positive difference for that primary health care.
MOON: And Prime Minister, obviously you mentioned the electorate of Farrer and our long-time member, Liberal leader, as was, with Sussan Ley stepping down. She's been the member for Farrer for going on 25 years. So, this is going to be a hotly contested seat. Are you endorsing candidates while you're here?
PRIME MINISTER: Well, no, I met with some supporters last night at the pub there and we haven't finalised a decision yet. Historically we haven't run in seats that were unlikely to win. We didn't stand a candidate in Cook when Scott Morrison stood down, but we'll wait. Sussan Ley, of course, hasn't resigned yet. She quite rightly is showing respect the electorate by going around and saying her farewells. I think, frankly, she was pretty shabbily treated by the Liberal Party, not being allowed to even give a single budget reply and being removed as leader before even one year as Opposition Leader. But I wish Sussan all the very best for her future. She clearly was a diligent local member here for 25 years.
MOON: And you're talking about health this morning and obviously health is a very big issue. I'm sure you're aware of the hospital redevelopment in Albury and a lot of different varying views. Are you going to be looking into that issue as well while you're in this part of the world?
PRIME MINISTER: Well, we have added an additional $25 billion to public hospital funding with the agreement that was only finalised on Friday. All the states and territories have signed up now to the agreement that we struck just a few weeks ago. And that's the biggest ever investment from the Commonwealth to the states and territories. Of course state governments look after public hospitals. What we're doing is this, two things. One, that additional direct funding for all of the states and territories, but secondly, that support for primary health care like Urgent Care Clinics is helping because it's taking pressure off the public hospital network.
MOON: I believe you have a press conference in about a minute's time, so we're -
PRIME MINISTER: Indeed. I’m just arriving at it now.
MOON: Very much appreciate you sparing a bit of time for us on ABC Goulburn Murray this morning. Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese, thanks for your time.
PRIME MINISTER: Thank you. Lovely to talk with you.