DAVID WOIWOD, HOST: Welcome back to Weekend Sunrise. Returning to our lead story now, and the peace plan between Israel and Palestine is now underway, leaders around the world speaking out in support of the ceasefire.
MONIQUE WRIGHT, HOST: We're joined now by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. PM, good to see you. Thanks for being with us.
ANTHONY ALBANESE, PRIME MINISTER: Good morning from beautiful Brisbane.
WRIGHT: Looks gorgeous. Okay, plenty of cautious optimism, lots of hope around this peace deal this morning. What was your personal first reaction when you got the news?
PRIME MINISTER: Oh, thank goodness. I think people who've watched the horror that's unfolded after, firstly, Hamas's terrorist actions on 7 October that saw the worst loss of Jewish life since the Holocaust and were horrified that that could occur, and then watching the unfolding tragedy and devastation of Gaza with the enormous loss of innocent life, just wanted to see ceasefire, just wanted to see it end. And they want to see peace, peaceful coexistence. They want to see the region settle down. And so we have now hope. We have called for a long time for the ceasefire to occur. Hostages to be released, aid to get to the people who really need it there in Gaza, Hamas to disarm and play no role. And of course, the long term solution, which is two states, Israel and Palestine, side by side, people living in peace and security.
WOIWOD: Yes, well, we can hear the relief there in your voice and we've seen those images of relief too this morning. But looking forward, Prime Minister, do you see a practical role for Australia in helping this peace deal actually stick? And could that involve peacekeepers or other form of forces or observers?
PRIME MINISTER: We're not big players in the Middle East, that's the truth. But Australia will of course always play our role, be it just supporting, as we have, supporting this peace process going forward. We'll talk, obviously, with partners. These are early days and this is a fragile situation, of course. But what it has needed, and we've said this for some time, is of course US leadership. President Trump has provided that. And that's provided the breakthrough. I think his comments where he said to Prime Minister Netanyahu, ‘you can't fight the world, Bibi.’ People were saying throughout the world, countries including Australia, enough is enough. The cycle of violence has to end. And hopefully that is what we are seeing in the interests of both Israelis, Palestinians, but also in the interests of the world because as we know, this has not been good for social cohesion here or anywhere else.
WRIGHT: Well, on that PM, we've seen families divided here, faith groups are hurting, Australians feeling completely torn, frightened. What does healing look like, do you think, from here, what can we all be doing? Is there anything that we can all be doing to try and help make that healing happen?
PRIME MINISTER: What we can do Mon, is respect each other. We live in the best country on earth and one of the things that makes this the best country in my view, and I'm so proud of the fact that people can live in local communities like my local hood in Marrickville, people of Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist, Greek Orthodox, whatever faith, or no faith, and just respect each other. And that is what we need to do, come together, see a healing. And that is my hope. I've always seen that Australia can be a bit of a microcosm for the world that shows that our diversity is a strength we're all enriched by – I had a fantastic meal here last night. You know, what we call fusion food, where Australian restaurants serve food with flavours from all around the world, particularly from Asia. And that, that is just a big plus with us. So, just respect. Turn down the temperature, for goodness sake, as well. That's why I was very pleased that the court made the decision they did for the Opera House protest. And 7 October was not a time for protest either.
WOIWOD: Prime Minister, why do you think this time would be different? We have been here before. Why would this time be different? It's such a long and complicated history.
PRIME MINISTER: People know what the solution is and they've known for some time what it looks like. It is Israel's right to exist as a Jewish state being recognised by all of the Arab states around it. The statement by the Arab League in June was I think a critical point in time here. They condemned unequivocally 7 October. They called for Hamas to have no role in the future of Gaza or the West Bank in a Palestinian state. They said they were prepared to play a role, in a multinational transitional role if you like. So, you have that. You then have a recognition by now 157 countries saying that Palestinians’ legitimate aspirations for their own state must be realised, but that Hamas cannot play a role. And you have now US leadership under President Trump intervening here, basically knocking heads together. The United States is a powerful force, of course, the most powerful country in the world. And you have US leadership here as well.
WRIGHT: Well, so much hope around this morning. Cautious optimism still a lot that has to be sorted out. But good news for now.
PRIME MINISTER: There sure is.
WRIGHT: Okay, you're taking some leave from today, last morning on the job. Does the job follow you?
PRIME MINISTER: I am. I'm having a whole week off before I head next Sunday afternoon, I'll go to the United States back to Washington DC to meet President Trump and his administration. I've had a very warm invitation to the White House. I am very much looking forward to it. The United States is our most important relationship. And when we sit down together, we can resume the face-to-face discussion that we had in New York and the warm discussions that we've had since President Trump returned to the presidency. We have an important defence and security relationship, economic relationship and partnership. There's much that we can do together in the area of critical minerals and all of these issues. And I'm very much looking forward to it. But I'm also looking forward to having a bit of a rest over the next week.
WOIWOD: Prime Minister, we'll let you go pack your board shorts and enjoy that holiday. Thanks for your time this morning.
WRIGHT: Thanks, PM.