HAMISH MACDONALD, HOST: The Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese, of course, spoke to James Valentine pretty frequently on the Breakfast Show when he was doing that, but throughout the years as well. The Prime Minister is here this morning. Very good morning to you. Sad news to be sharing this morning, Prime Minister.
ANTHONY ALBANESE, PRIME MINISTER: It is very sad news, Hamish. James Valentine was a part of our lives and he was such a voice and therefore a figure in Sydney, and he was someone who was always worth listening to. He was interesting and he was so full of life. But he'd had a very difficult recent period. He's at peace now. And I think all of our thoughts are with his family and his friends and indeed the ABC family today as well.
MACDONALD: It's sort of interesting hearing from listeners this morning, just about the degree to which this has touched so many people, this news. I suppose it speaks to the medium, but it also speaks to the individual. He had a particular kind of connection with people.
PRIME MINISTER: It does. His strength of character came through. He was warm and generous and I met him a few times, but I talked to him much more over the phone than I did face-to-face. But I felt like I knew him and he had this sense of decency that shone through even through the radio. So, it was certainly very much a part of our lives as a Sydneysider. And so many of your listeners and ABC listeners right throughout Sydney, and indeed Australia, will be mourning his loss today and thinking of his family and friends.
MACDONALD: A muso as well, is that something you ever spoke to each other about?
PRIME MINISTER: He was. We did talk about music. I'm a music nerd of no talent whatsoever. But I, I certainly enjoyed music and we would often, both on air and off air, have a chat about music, indeed. Music can be very uplifting. At times like this we certainly need uplifting. And I think amongst the sadness today, there'll be joy as well, about a life very well lived. He had that sense of adventure and was always really positive as well. And that shone through.
MACDONALD: Yeah, he’d said a few months ago he wants a big, fun, happy funeral. He wants every saxophone in Sydney to be played. You can sort of picture it already.
PRIME MINISTER: Indeed, and he deserves just that.
MACDONALD: Prime Minister, appreciate you giving us a couple of minutes of your time this morning. Thanks very much.
PRIME MINISTER: Thanks very much, Hamish.