RYAN FITZGERALD, HOST: Well, it's nearly been four years, almost to the day that our Prime Minister has been government and we're lucky enough to have him today. Anthony Albanese, welcome to the show, buddy.
ANTHONY ALBANESE, PRIME MINISTER: Good to be with you. This time four years ago, I was preparing in the afternoon handing out in my electorate, waiting for what became a very big night.
MICHAEL WIPFLI, HOST: Well, it did, didn't it? My God.
FITZGERALD: Huge night. Changed everything, didn't it?
KATE RICHIE, HOST: Now what's the feeling on a day like today? 4 years - is there congratulations or is there some kind of reflection on what has been able to be achieved or not?
PRIME MINISTER: Inevitably you have some reflection on what you've done, on whether the things that you sought out to achieve have been done. But you also think about so much more to do. We've still got a war on the other side of the world that is having an impact on inflation here. And so we're still vulnerable for what's going on.
WIPFLI: I'm so glad you used the word vulnerable. I think that's how a lot of people are feeling at the moment. There's certainly a weight in the air. I think, you know, since Jim Chalmers delivered the Budget, you know, a couple of weeks ago now we're all trying to break that down. There's been a truckload of mockery of yourself online regarding small business and the capital gains tax. And there's a lot of people unsure about what Australia and the landscape looks like at the moment. You hear a lot of talk of why would you even bother anymore? What do you say to that kind of overbearing weight that seems to be on the community at the moment?
PRIME MINISTER: What I say is that I'm incredibly optimistic about this country. That there's nowhere you'd rather be. We have all the resources under the ground and in the sky that will power the global economy. And the theme of the Budget was resilience.
WIPFLI: But I think, I think, Prime Minister, the message has almost been lost because there were changes to your stance that a lot of people believed in when they voted for you. I mean, people are calling you a liar and I think that's kind of undone, maybe, anything good that sits under the title of Budget.
PRIME MINISTER: We didn't say that we would cut the fuel excise by half before the election - we had to change for the system. We have changed our position. We're upfront about that. Last term we changed Stage Three Tax Cuts to make sure that low and middle income earners didn't get left behind. And we've changed our position because we want young Australians to have the opportunity to own their own home. And that requires some changes to the way the tax system operates. What we're doing is going back to the capital gains tax system that was in place prior to 1999, which is you only get taxed on your real gain at your income tax rate on your real gain, which is a pretty sensible thing to do and which will mean less tax for a range of businesses or investment than under the current system. We're not getting rid of a discount, we're just having a different discount.
RICHIE: Prime Minister, I think it would be remiss of me to not ask you today about news that is so consuming at the moment for all of us, but particularly for women and children out there who are living in homes filled with violence. There are so many women and their children being killed by men that they know whether they're ex partners or current partners. I have seen the effects of this and I have felt them and lived them. And I guess I want some kind of answer. It's crazy for me not to ask you when I have the opportunity because I know we're all talking about it.
PRIME MINISTER: Look, it's awful, Kate, and one death is far too many. But it's increasingly prevalent and we're up for anything that would provide a solution.
RICHIE: And what does that look like right now, today? Because it's all well and good for us to be in this studio talking about it, but the reality is that there are children heading home from school and sport this evening and women who are in their homes right now waiting for people to come home who are living in fear. And no one's saying anything that's making them feel safe.
PRIME MINISTER: One thing that is needed is to give them somewhere to go, part of the Housing Australia Future Program was $100 million for increased housing, 500 additional community service workers. A lot of people feel like they need advice, we've increased funding for 1800RESPECT by 40 per cent because there's such a demand there. But quite clearly there is more to do. And one of the things that I would say as well is that men, we've got to take responsibility, have those conversations with our mates, speak out when we hear disrespect towards women is where it begins.
RICHIE: I think you're right. I think education is a very big part of that. It doesn't fix it overnight. But we really need to get this into schools and into young men and women.
WIPFLI: Prime Minister, some heavier topics today, mate. We thank you for coming in. Four years in office. We appreciate you joining the show.
PRIME MINISTER: Always great to talk with you.
FITZGERALD: Hey, hey. Actually, Prime Minister, before you leave as well, one of the greatest days of the year for us is to have a hit and roll the arm over at Kirribilli House there in your magnificent manicured lawns. Is there any chance that we could do it again this year, Prime Minister, if there's an opportunity?
PRIME MINISTER: Absolutely. I think we're trying to find a date in July.
WIPFLI: Okay. Oh yes.
PRIME MINISTER: That'll give you time to train.
FITZGERALD: Oh well, I'll need it. You bowled me out first ball last time.
PRIME MINISTER: It's all a bit of fun for a good cause.
WIPFLI: Yes, it is. Aiming for July. Thanks, Prime Minister.
PRIME MINISTER: Thanks very much.