GORDON REID, MEMBER FOR ROBERTSON: Good afternoon everybody and thank you all so much for coming. I'll begin by acknowledging the traditional owners of the land upon which we meet and pay my respects to all elders past, present and emerging, and recognise that the land upon which we learn, love and play always was and always will be Aboriginal land.
The Albanese Government is making critical investments in Central Coast transport and infrastructure, improving road safety and building thriving communities.
At the 2022 election, we committed $2.5 million to fully fund a new building for the Kincumber Roos Soccer Club.
This includes a new clubhouse, change and bathrooms, canteen and carpark – a better, safer space to bring the community together.
Along with community infrastructure, we’re investing in roads to improve safety and reduce congestion.
ANTHONY ALBANESE, PRIME MINISTER: Today's breakthrough represents major progress for Western Sydney. This project will transform the way Sydney operates. For too long, everything has looked towards the CBD and towards the centre. What this airport will do with the Aerotropolis is make sure that Sydney doesn't just look in, it looks out. It looks out to the western suburbs of Sydney, where jobs have been created through this project. But importantly, this will be a considerable boost to the productivity, livability and sustainability of Sydney.
Sydney Metro to Western Sydney Airport is one step closer, with tunnel boring machines (TBMs) Catherine, Eileen and Peggy having completed their historic journeys today.
This project will become the transport spine of Western Sydney, connecting the Western Sydney Airport and Aerotropolis at Bradfield to the wider Sydney rail network at St Marys.
With boring near complete, the project will enter its next stage – the construction of six world-class stations along the 23-kilometre track.
THOMAS ORITI, HOST: The Opposition Leader, Peter Dutton, says he won't commit to a climate change target for 2030, saying people want politicians to focus on the cost of living. The Prime Minister says he doesn't think Australians want another election fought on climate change and that they'd elected him to get on with the job. And the Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese, joins us on ABC News Radio now. Prime Minister, good morning. Thanks for your time.
ANTHONY ALBANESE, PRIME MINISTER: Good morning. Thanks for having me back on the program.
From our first day in office, our Government has made it a priority to invest in Australia’s capabilities and invest in our relationships: our national defence and our international diplomacy.
We are strengthening both because we know a peaceful and stable Indo-Pacific is essential to the security and prosperity of every Australian.
As part of this important work, next week Australia will be hosting an official visit from Premier Li Qiang of China.
ANTHONY ALBANESE, PRIME MINISTER: Good afternoon. The Premier of the People's Republic of China, Li Qiang, will visit Australia as a Guest of Government from Saturday the 15th of June to Tuesday the 18th of June. This will be the first visit to Australia by a Chinese Premier since 2017 and represents another important step in stabilising our relationship with China. The Premier and I will hold the Annual Leaders' Meeting here at Parliament House in Canberra.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will welcome the Premier of the People’s Republic of China, Li Qiang, to Australia as a Guest of Government from Saturday 15 June to Tuesday 18 June 2024.
This will be the first visit to Australia by a Chinese Premier since 2017.
Prime Minister Albanese and Premier Li will hold the Annual Leaders’ Meeting at Parliament House in Canberra, where they will exchange views on bilateral, regional and international issues.
ANTHONY ALBANESE, PRIME MINISTER: Good morning. Happy King's Birthday weekend everyone. The first time I spoke from here in the Prime Minister's Courtyard was when we legislated Australia's 2030 target, creating certainty for business, certainty for investment, certainty for jobs. Peter Dutton is walking away from climate action. His decision to abandon the 2030 target means him walking away from the Paris Accord.
ANDREW CLENNELL, HOST: Well, Prime Minister, thanks for attending this event once again. A passionate and optimistic speech. Now, my first question is, to coin a former PM's phrase, are we in the per capita recession we had to have?