ADAM SHIRLEY, HOST: I think there's a universal agreement that the Australian Institute of Sport is not what it once was. It's grown tired, older and not fit for purpose. The Federal Government has announced, after a review late last year that it needs about $250 million to bring it back up to standard, including a purpose built multi sport dome for training analysis, custom built accommodation and other improvements to facilities. The Prime Minister of Australia, Anthony Albanese, he's announced this money this morning. Prime Minister, good morning to you.

KATE THWAITES, MEMBER FOR JAGAJAGA: Good morning everyone, I'm Kate Thwaites. I'm the Federal member for Jagajaga, and it is very exciting to be here today at North East Link. For people in this area, in our community this is a huge project, and it is a project that obviously, our state government and our federal government recognise how important it is to our local community and to our state more broadly. But for locals here, they know what it will be like to take trucks off Rosanna Road.

In the heart of the outback, Alice Springs is known for its culture, striking landscape and its local characters who make it such an interesting place to live and visit.

But I know lately it has been a very difficult time for the town.

During my visit last week I heard firsthand about the challenges.

Meeting with the mayor and council, the chamber of commerce, social workers, educators and students, as well as businesses and bumping into locals on the street - the message was the same.

The Albanese Labor Government is working with the Victorian Government to bust Melbourne’s congestion and ensure Victoria’s roads are safer and get people where they need to be faster.

In next week’s Budget we will invest a further $3.25 billion to North East Link in the 2024-25 Budget, taking the total Australian Government funding to $5 billion.

Once completed, the North East Link will get 15,000 trucks off local roads each day and reduce travel times by up to 35 minutes.

GARETH PARKER, NINE PERTH NEWS DIRECTOR: Prime Minister, thank you. When I was leaving the house early this morning, putting on a tie, which I don't usually do I have to confess. My five year old asked, ‘Dad, why are you putting on a tie?' I said I've got to talk to someone important this morning, I'm doing an interview. He said, ‘Oh yeah, who's that? Roger Cook?’. Five years old. I said, ‘No, it's Anthony Albanese’. He shrugged his shoulders, he went, ‘Oh, close’. So, there you go.

ANTHONY ALBANESE, PRIME MINISTER: Roger will like that.

ANTHONY ALBANESE, PRIME MINISTER: Thanks for joining us, and it's terrific to be here with the Premier and the Deputy Premier, who also happens to be the Treasurer of Western Australia, but also the Federal Infrastructure Minister, Catherine King, and members of my team, including Patrick Gorman, Sam Lim, Josh Wilson, who are here prior to, of course, our Budget, which we'll be handing down next Tuesday.

GARY ADSHEAD, HOST: The Prime Minister is in Western Australia. He's been addressing a business breakfast this morning and he joins me on the line. Thanks very much for your time, Prime Minister.

The Albanese Government is making critical investments in Western Australian infrastructure, cementing the state’s future growth.

In the 2024–25 Budget, we are committing $33.5 million towards planning works to support the development of Westport.

The Westport project is the linchpin for future trade growth in Western Australia.

It includes planning a new port and the connected road, rail and logistics operations required to move container trade from Fremantle to Kwinana. 

Next week’s Budget will wipe around $3 billion from student HECS debt. This will make a real difference for around 3 million Australians.

A student with an average HECS debt of about $26,000, will have their HECS debt cut by about by about $1200.

Someone with a HECS debt of $40,000 will see a cut of about $1800.

This is a really big and important reform that will make HECS fairer.

And it will apply to everyone with a HECS debt, just as our tax cuts will help every single taxpayer.

I acknowledge the traditional owners of the land on which we meet and I pay my respects to their elders past, present and emerging.

I do want to take a moment this morning to express my heartfelt sorrow to the parents of Callum and Jake Robinson. 

Their beloved sons have been murdered in Mexico. 

And right now they are trying to come to terms with what is every parent’s nightmare.

I join with all Australians in offering them my deepest sympathies and condolences.