JODIE BELYEA, LABOR CANDIDATE FOR DUNKLEY: Good morning everyone. And welcome to Dunkley. I'm Jodie Belyea, and I'm the Labor candidate for the Dunkley by-election. Today is the day. Today is the day when the people of Dunkley vote for someone to be their representative in the Federal Government. Today is also a very special day for the Prime Minister. It's his birthday. Happy birthday, Albo. I love Frankston. I'm a mum with a mortgage. And my son, Flynn, went to this great school. I love this community. And I will deliver for Dunkley.

JAYNE AZZOPARDI, HOST: Meanwhile, Dunkley in Melbourne's east is a political epicentre this morning as voters head to the polls for a highly anticipated by-election.

CLINT STANAWAY, HOST: The result there expected to come right down to the wire and as seen by many as a litmus test ahead of next year's Federal election. The Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese, joins us live from Frankston. PM, good morning. Look, before we talk politics, happy birthday.

ANTHONY ALBANESE, PRIME MINISTER: Good morning.

JODIE BELYEA, LABOR CANDIDATE FOR DUNKLEY: Good morning. I'm Jodie Belyea, the Labor candidate for the Dunkley by-election. And I am here this morning with the Prime Minister, one day out from the by-election. We are at Jubilee Park Stadium. A place that Peta championed and delivered on. This is an incredible facility. Peta was a strong, wise and confident woman that represented our community. She delivered for Dunkley. And I ask the people of Dunkley to vote for me, because I too will deliver for Dunkley.

GED KEARNEY, ASSISTANT MINISTER FOR HEALTH AND AGED CARE: Good morning everybody, my name is Ged Kearney, I'm the Assistant Minister for Health and Aged Care. And it's such a pleasure to be here in Grayndler at the Leichhardt Medical and Dental in the Prime Minister's hometown. It's really great to be here with him. Labor is the party of Medicare, and we've been celebrating forty fabulous years of Medicare over the last few months. It really is something to celebrate. And I'm very pleased to say that Labor has strengthened Medicare.

HOST: A very good morning to you - good morning and Mr. Prime Minister.

PRIME MINISTER: Good morning. Good to be with you.

HOST: Welcome.

HOST: Oh, nice to be with you. Welcome to our little radio show down here on the Peninsula. And I believe there's something happening on the weekend?

TOM ELLIOTT, HOST: Joining us live in the studio is the Prime Minister of Australia, Anthony Albanese. Mr Albanese, good morning.

ANTHONY ALBANESE PRIME MINISTER: Good morning. Good to be with you, Tom.

ELLIOTT: Now, you've got a big by-election tomorrow in the seat of Dunkley in Melbourne. We've already spoken to pollster Kos Samaras, he said it is too close to call. Do you think you'll win?

RAFAEL EPSTEIN, HOST: The Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese is on the line. Good morning.

ANTHONY ALBANESE, PRIME MINISTER: Good morning, Raf. Good to be with you.

EPSTEIN: Can I start with sad news. A member of your team, Linda White, ALP Victorian Senator, has died. My condolences. What did you want to say about her?

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will host leaders of ASEAN and Timor-Leste for the ASEAN-Australia Special Summit in Melbourne from 4-6 March. 2024 marks 50 years since Australia became ASEAN’s first external partner.

Australia has strong and far-reaching ties with the region. We are connected by families, friends, education and business.

As a bloc, ASEAN is Australia’s second largest two-way trading partner. More than one million Australians have Southeast Asian heritage.

All of our hearts in the Labor family are broken at the passing of Senator Linda White.

Linda was formidable. A beloved friend, a valued colleague, a dedicated parliamentarian and, through all her efforts in the wider labour movement, a devout supporter of working Australians.

Linda made a difference.

Labor’s tax cuts passed through Parliament this week. Tax cuts built on the unwavering spirit of fairness that is shared by the Australian Labor Party and the Maritime Union of Australia. The fairness on which we can build a better future.

We’re giving all of Australia’s 13.6 million taxpayers a tax cut because we support the aspirations of every Australian.

We’re helping you earn more and keep more of what you earn – and that will make a real difference to households right across Australia.