HAIDI LUN:
The Prime Minister joins us exclusively here on set at Bloomberg. Prime Minister it’s a pleasure to have you on.
PRIME MINISTER:
Great to be with you.
HAIDI LUN:
I want to start by talking about investing in Australia’s future economy. Because the Reserve Bank and the IMF have called on the Government to borrow more ‘good debt’ essentially, to invest in infrastructure. But there’s been a real reluctance. I understand you want to keep that AAA rating, but –
PRIME MINISTER:
Prime Minister, Lucy and I were delighted to welcome you and Sara to Australia. Not your first visit, your second, but your first as Prime Minister of Israel and the first visit by a Prime Minister of Israel in office. We are delighted to have you here.
We have a lot to discuss. Our two nations have so much shared history. From the charge of the Light Brigade of Beersheba, 100 years ago –
PRIME MINISTER OF THE STATE OF ISRAEL:
On the dot.
Our friendship is as old as the state of Israel itself.
PRIME MINISTER:
Welcome Bibi, Prime Minister. Lucy and I were delighted to welcome you and Sara to Australia today. Israel and Australia are very good, strong friends. From the charge of the Australian Light Horse Brigade in Beersheba 100 years ago, to the foundation of the state of Israel and the United Nations, to today, with a deep engagement in everything we canvassed, those areas of cooperation and engagement in our meeting.
What a wonderful occasion. What a historic occasion. Prime Minister, welcome.
Shalom Chaverim.
This demonstrates the deep friendship between our two countries.
PRIME MINISTER:
Thank you so much. It is always wonderful to be here at Central. This beautiful shule in the heart of my electorate.
We talked today at lunch about the mishpocha – this is the heart! Believe me.
The last time I was here, Lucy and I were here, with Levi, your Rabbi and Chanie for the seventh night of Chanukah and I even danced with Levi, I don’t think we’ll be doing that tonight. But nonetheless it was a very important night. Of course, every night of Chanukah is important.
PRIME MINISTER:
Bibi again, welcome.
We’re here with our ministers to discuss the wide range of opportunities to cooperate on security, on innovation, cyber-security, defence, transport. We’ve just seen examples of that.
We’ve signed an agreement on bilateral cooperation in technological innovation and research and development. That’s going to provide a framework for our scientists and engineers and business people to create jobs and industries of the future.
We are delighted to announce that Sydney will be the host city for the upcoming ASEAN-Australia Special Summit.
The event, expected to be held in March 2018, will mark the first time Australia has hosted a summit with ASEAN.
The summit is an historic and unprecedented opportunity to strengthen Australia’s strategic partnership with ASEAN and deliver tangible economic and security benefits to Australia.
I look forward to welcoming His Excellency Mr Joko Widodo, President of the Republic Indonesia, and Her Excellency Mrs Hj Iriana Joko Widodo, to Australia from 25–26 February.
The visit will highlight Australia’s deepening economic and strategic links with Indonesia. The bilateral relationship with Indonesia is vitally important to both countries and has never been stronger.
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