Visit by the Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will welcome Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea the Hon James Marape MP, back to Australia for an official visit from 7 to 9 February 2024.

This latest meeting between Prime Ministers will build on our Bilateral Security Agreement signed last year, and address security and economic cooperation, infrastructure and deepening people-to-people links.

During the visit Prime Minister Marape will address both Members and Senators of the Parliament of Australia. This will be the first in-person address by a foreign leader since 2020.

Medicare anniversary exhibition launch

We're here today to mark 40 years of Medicare.

Last Thursday, I was in Robertson with Emma and Dr. Gordon Reid, appropriate that I was with a pharmacist and a doctor there in Umina at an Urgent Care Clinic last Thursday to mark Medicare's birthday.

One of the things that we're reminded of is that Medicare wasn't the first iteration. The first iteration was, of course, Medibank.

And today, we remember our friend the late Bill Hayden as well. As we commemorated his life, but one of his greatest achievements was of course Medibank.

Doorstop Interview - Canberra

PRIME MINISTER: Can I say that all Australians will be sending their best wishes to King Charles for a speedy recovery. This is difficult news. And we hope for King Charles, for His Majesty and for all of their family, all of the very best. We want to see His Majesty return to full duties as soon as possible. We, of course, look forward to the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting that will be held in our region. And of course, we have invited King Charles to visit Australia and we sincerely hope that is able to occur.

Last Post Ceremony

We gather in this solemn place, and we gather in peace.

Peace is not a given. For many across the world right now, it is tragically elusive.

We do not take peace for granted.

The peace that we gather in here today is the gift to us from generations of Australians who have taken up arms in our name.

It is a peace shared now with the places where so many of them fell.

Beaches where the waves roll in the sea’s eternal rhythm.

Meadows of flower and birdsong.

Places where there is little to hint at the killing fields they once were.

Dr Lowitja O’Donoghue AC CBE DSG

Lowitja O’Donoghue was one of the most remarkable leaders this country has ever known. As we mourn her passing, we give thanks for the better Australia she helped make possible.

Dr O’Donoghue had an abiding faith in the possibility of a more united and reconciled Australia. It was a faith she embodied with her own unceasing efforts to improve the lives of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, and to bring about meaningful and lasting reconciliation between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australia.

Abdallah and Sakr Memorial Garden opening

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

I am honoured to be here in this place where love will keep triumphing over loss.

It is always a very particular honour to be in the presence of Leila and Danny Abdallah. Two truly remarkable Australians who have not only risen from the deepest grief, they have lifted us all higher in the process.

Pink Pennant Day

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

It’s an honour to join you all here at Frankston Bowling Club for Pink Pennant Day. I’m grateful that you’ve dedicated it to our dearly missed friend, Peta Murphy. All of us who knew her are deeply touched.

As Peta could have told you, there’s a solid rule that applies across so much of life: The more we know, the better we can help.

Government moves to improve metastatic cancer data collection

The Albanese Government will provide $1.5 million to accelerate the collection of cancer stage and recurrence data in Australia.

This data is critical for identifying patterns of delayed diagnosis, cancer recurrence and survival, and will help drive equity in cancer outcomes.

This work builds on the recently announced Australian Cancer Plan and responds to the Breast Cancer Network Australia Time to Count People with Metastatic Breast Cancer: A Way Forward report.