KIERAN GILBERT, HOST: Prime Minister, thank you very much for your time.
ANTHONY ALBANESE, PRIME MINISTER: Good morning Kieran, good to be with you.
GILBERT: This week, you've got your MPs coming back for a special caucus on Wednesday. Can you give our viewers a sense of what your, what's your message going to be to them when they gather here?
PRIME MINISTER: Well, it's good that caucus is able to gather without Parliament, without meetings and bells ringing. We do that from time to time, as does the Coalition. Of course, the Cabinet and Ministry will meet again this week, we met last week, we've been meeting all of the committees, including the National Security Committee, ERC we've been working away throughout January. And what we'll be looking at of course, is the advice that we've received about how we can take pressure off cost of living for people who are doing it tough, without putting pressure on inflation.
GILBERT: So you've got that advice now? I know you were going to get by the end of this week.
PRIME MINISTER: We're getting it. So by the time caucus gathers in a couple of days’ time, we will have received that, and given consideration to that. But we've always said that we'll continue to look for ways to assist people, if we can find ways to put extra dollars in people's pockets, particularly those low and middle income earners who are doing it tough, then we're prepared to do so.
GILBERT: But no one, no one begrudges that, particularly we all know that a lot of people doing it hard right now with inflation, higher than you would like but there are risks involved aren't there. You're well aware of those risks, if you put too much money back into the economy right now.
PRIME MINISTER: Well, that's why we've always been responsible Kieran. One of the things that we did last year was to be determined to produce a budget surplus, the first in 15 years. And what that does, it provides you with the scope, to then provide additional assistance. In the way that we've designed the support $23 billion worth up to this point, our energy price relief plan, cheaper medicine, cheaper childcare, Fee Free TAFE. These measures have all been designed to provide assistance, but also by putting that downward pressure on inflation. And I note that the Reserve Bank when they've made these decisions that they have, have given weight to the fact, as have the Australian Bureau of Statistics, when they released the latest inflation figures showing the monthly figure down to 4.3 per cent, needs to go further, but they noted that our energy price relief plan implemented by the Government in conjunction with states and territories, Labor and Liberal, only opposed by Peter Dutton like he has opposed every measure that we've taken, has made a positive difference.
GILBERT: So that's front of mind for you again in this next phase of cost of living relief? That it won't be a cash splash.
PRIME MINISTER: Well, we'll take whatever advice is given to us. But we'll always look for ways in which we can provide assistance to people. As I've said, particularly people who are on low and middle incomes, the ones who are doing it, doing it particularly tough. It depends, people are in different financial circumstances. But of course, if you have a mortgage, then the implications of the rising inflation that began of course back in March quarter 2022, before we came to office was the highest inflation figures we've seen for a long period of time. It peaked at 2.1 per cent. And what that meant was that after that, you had interest rates start to rise, and that has placed pressure on family budgets. So that's just one of the measures. Another way of course, is by making sure that customers when they get to the checkout in the supermarket can get things at the cheapest possible price. And that's why we've also asked the ACCC for advice about what further powers or what further action can be taken.
GILBERT: So you're determined to move on that because you would know as well as I do that when you go to Coles and Woolies now that many people are hurting there too at the checkout, it's costing a lot more than pay for your groceries.
PRIME MINISTER: Well they are, and what is not understandable for Australians at the checkout, is how is it that farmers are getting less for their produce, but that's not flowing through to lower prices. So, we want to make sure whether it be the ACCC, Dr. Craig Emerson's review, the Senate inquiry that's taking place, that we want that downward pressure on prices that people pay at the checkout because that's what makes an enormous difference to the family budget.
GILBERT: The Coalition's had a crack at you for convening this caucus meeting. Is it worth it? It's going to cost a few hundred thousand dollars to bring everyone back. Is it worth it?
PRIME MINISTER: Well, that's nonsense of course. Ministers are here already this week, we were here last week, people will be here for the Australia Day, Pre-Australia Day Address, I'm doing at the National Press Club as well on Thursday and then we have the national commemorations including the Australian of the Year Awards on Thursday night. I'm hoping that Peter Dutton takes up the opportunity that he didn't last year of actually attending the Australian of the Year Awards on Thursday night, and attending the national flag raising ceremony and national citizenship that takes place. That's something I always did as the Labor Leader when I was invited to the Australian in the Year Awards. After the first year I went, "hang on, this should be bipartisan," and it should be and the Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition should both be present.
GILBERT: There's been a lot of talk about Australia Day and I know your address at the Press Club comes just before the national day. Cricket Australia isn't going to call the Gabba Tests, or make any reference to Australian Day just treat it as any other day. What's your read on that? And what does Australia Day mean to you?
PRIME MINISTER: Australia Day is a day when we reflect on who we are as a nation, where we give thought as well to how we can continue to make this greatest country on Earth even greater in the future. We reflect on the fullness of our history that includes First Nations people that 65,000 years of sharing this great continent with the oldest continuous culture on earth. But also of course, we had January 26 commemorates the founding of the colony in New South Wales. But also in recent times, of course, multicultural Australia as well. It's a citizenship ceremony as always at the forefront on Australia Day and they'll take place around Australia, people pledging their allegiance to Australia as a nation, to our values and our democratic traditions. That is really important. And so for me, I'll attend the national celebrations here, I'll then be attend the Australia Day concert later in Sydney.
GILBERT: And what's your reaction to Cricket Australia and its position?
PRIME MINISTER: I think we need to stop looking for areas in which we can be outraged. We need to come together. People will go to the cricket, people will celebrate or for some people for First Nations people I respect the views that they have. Someone like Scott Boland has expressed those. They're entitled to express those views. But it's one where I think it's an important day for Australia and I certainly will be participating in all the events.
GILBERT: Peter Dutton over the summer, I'm sure a lot of our viewers would have seen, called for a boycott on Woolies. The Liberals argue it's simply stating that people should shop at places that support their values. Is that fair enough?
PRIME MINISTER: Look at the implications of that. The implications of a boycott, if everyone took that up at Woolworths, as perhaps Australia's largest employer. 200,000 Australians potentially lose their jobs with no one shopping, there's no jobs. And you would also have to add in Aldi, you'd have to add in Kmart, you end up I think in a very negative frame of mind. And what I'm disappointed by, but not surprised by Peter Dutton, is he's always looking to divide, always looking for an "us versus them". I want Australians and when they go to the supermarket, you know what they're concerned about the price at the checkout, not what's on a shelf or not due to whatever considerations. And so, I think that Peter Dutton needs to explain why it is that he thinks those 200,000 jobs aren't important, and needs to explain as well, how long does the boycott that he had called for go for? Does it end on January 26? One would think that if it's about what he says it's about, then that's continuous as well. And I value those jobs and economic activity, particularly those in regional Australia. And already of course, one of the issues we have that we're giving consideration to with competition is we have largely a duopoly in this country. Is Peter Dutton arguing that a monopoly would actually assist that competition and assist set prices and assist people to get a goods at the cheapest possible price? I don't think that's the case, I think it's very ill considered.
GILBERT: How important, I know you're starting the year and you've got your speech at the Press Club and laying out the foundations for what you hope is a successful year on the political economic front and more broadly. How important is the Dunkley by-election to you to give you a sense of how the Government is travelling in the eyes of voters?
PRIME MINISTER: All elections are important, by-elections are tough for governments. The traditional swing is larger than the margin in Dunkley. But we have a fantastic candidate in Jodie Belyea. She is out there campaigning. She's someone who's a working mom, who lives in the local community, who has done extraordinary work with a range of community-based organisations, and who's in touch with the people of Frankston, and other communities around there. And she wants to continue the extraordinary legacy that Peta Murphy had as the local member.
GILBERT: Are you confident you can at the moment?
PRIME MINISTER: Well, all of us know that by-elections are tough, and we don't take anything for granted. It's unfortunate that this is happening due to the tragic loss of Peta Murphy, who passed too early at age just 50 due to cancer recurrence, but she showed such extraordinary bravery. And one of the things that Peta Murphy did, was recruit Jodie to the Labor Party in advance of this by-election taking place. She was very confident that Jodi Belyea had something to offer her local community.
GILBERT: Your Treasurer has spoken to the importance of doing better in Queensland, do you think you can win it back that state? It's been a long time since Federal Labor has done well there.
PRIME MINISTER: It has but I think we can do well. If you look at the last election, we reduced many of the margins substantially that were way out. We were targeting seats that required a double digit swing. That's not the case this time around. I think the Government has proven ourselves to be good managers of the economy, producing a surplus, inflation headed downwards, we had produced an unemployment rate, last year was the first year ever, in which the unemployment rate every month had three in front of it. That's a significant achievement. We're the Government that's focused on regional economic development in the most regional of states. And we've shown ourselves as well to be there when Queenslanders have needed us to be tragically because of the natural disasters that have occurred.
GILBERT: In the United States if we turn our attention internationally. Ron DeSantis is out of the Republican primaries, Donald Trump had that decisive win in Iowa, looks like the numbers are there for the nomination it seems. Are you relaxed, as our national leader, are you relaxed either way on the outcome of what happens in November in the United States?
PRIME MINISTER: Well, what's important is that we respect democratic processes. And the United States is a nation of which we have no closer ally. I have a good relationship obviously with President Biden. But we respect those democratic processes in the United States, we'll deal with whatever the outcome.
GILBERT: Could you work with Donald Trump?
PRIME MINISTER: We will work with whatever the outcome is because the relationship between Australia and the United States is not just a relationship between individuals or leaders. It's a relationship between our peoples, and it's based upon the democratic values that we share, the cause of freedom that we have fought for together. And that's why the relationship is so strong. I've developed a very close personal relationship with President Biden. I have had a range of face-to-face meetings, but also discussions with him on the phone. We're working together as well, closely in areas like climate change.
GILBERT: He supports alliances, Donald Trump was much less predictable when it comes to alliances. I just wonder, do you have some concern about whether or not he sticks to AUKUS, for example?
PRIME MINISTER: No, I'm not going to pre-empt the democratic processes in the United States. I would say that the relationship that we have with the United States has never been stronger. The AUKUS relationship is quite had extraordinary. You'll recall Kieran, a range of front page stories across newspapers questioning whether the AUKUS legislation would go through the US Congress. Well that happened last year. We also have had a very successful State Visit. We're working on areas like critical minerals and dealing with the challenge of climate change. We're working together on the QUAD in the region. And we have a very close relationship and that's a good thing.
GILBERT: On China, Nauru has established diplomatic relations now with China recognising Beijing, removing its recognition of Taiwan. Is the Government confident it can ensure diplomatic ties don't extend them to a security arrangement between Nauru and China like we saw with the Solomons.
PRIME MINISTER: Nauru is entitled, as are other sovereign nations, to determine who they recognise, and we of course have a bipartisan one-China policy here in Australia, that is long standing. But we have re-engaged with the Pacific family, we've treated them with respect, we want to be the national security partner of choice. We've seen that with work that we've done in the Pacific Island Forum, with the landmark agreement that we set with Tuvalu, with the agreement that we signed right here in December, with Papua New Guinea. The Prime Minister James Marape will be the first leader of Papua New Guinea to address the Australian Parliament on February 8, that will be a very significant event, and signifies the importance of those ties with our region.
GILBERT: On to Ukraine, we see in the Nine papers today, Ukraine has upped its appeal for a humanitarian shipment of Australian thermal coal, we saw a similar one back in 2022, under reform of Coalition Government. Are you supportive of sending some coal to Ukraine to help them keep their power going?
PRIME MINISTER: We give appropriate consideration to all requests, we do that in a way that is diplomatic and gives proper consideration to it, but we are already very significant contributors to the Ukrainian efforts to defend their sovereignty and to defend their democracy. We have been very clear, with measures of economic support, with the training just last week, a range of Australian soldiers headed to the United Kingdom to do further training of the Ukrainians in order to assist the war effort that they're engaged in. We will continue to engage in a mature, considered way with Ukraine. And we stand with Ukraine for as long as it takes.
GILBERT: And this energy request. Are you open to that?
PRIME MINISTER: We make decisions based upon a considered response. We've received a request, but the request, there has a different request a week ago.
GILBERT: For the Taipans, the helicopters. But why did we not send those?
PRIME MINISTER: Because we take proper advice from the Australian Defence Force. And we give appropriate consideration to all of these requests.
GILBERT: On to the Middle East, just finally, we'll finish on this one, because I know that anyone that has seen your political career knows you have an extensive involvement with many multicultural communities. And from my experience, I haven't seen a conflict like this where it's got so many Australians so heavily invested both at a personal level with relatives caught up either in Israel, Gaza or southern Lebanon. What's your, as a national leader, as our national leader, how do you reflect on that, given so many Australians are so heavily invested feel so much about the trauma they see day to day out of Middle East?
PRIME MINISTER: A big challenge for Australia is to make sure that we remain a cohesive society that we don't bring anger and conflicts here. That we continue to give respect to people regardless of their faith, regardless of their ethnicity and their backgrounds. Now, that can be very difficult. I know that for the Jewish community after the October 7 terrorist attack by Hamas, have been feeling very vulnerable. For many members of the Palestinian and Islamic communities who have relatives in Gaza as well, it's a very difficult time. So we need to acknowledge that. It's also the case that for some, we need to make sure that we respond in an appropriate way. Call out antisemitism when we see it, call out Islamophobia when we see it as well. And I have continued to engage with people who are affected by this, and I know that the concerns are very legitimate, but I want social cohesiveness here to be an absolute priority. And for us to continue to be prepared to have respectful debates, and I know that that is something that has been an absolute priority for me.
GILBERT: Let's hope that those respectful debates continue in this great country. Prime Minister, I very much appreciate your time to start the year. Thanks.
PRIME MINISTER: Thanks very much, Kieran and welcome back.