National Cabinet met in Canberra today and made important progress on key reforms that will strengthen our health system, secure the future of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) and keep Australians safe.
Today we see the Commonwealth acting with common purpose, in the common interests of all Australians. The Federation is working for Australia.
ANTHONY ALBANESE, PRIME MINISTER: I want to thank you all for gathering for our final National Cabinet meeting for 2023. I do want to acknowledge that for members of my team in particular, today's a difficult day. We've just had the condolence motion moved for Peta Murphy, who is very much a beloved colleague lost to cancer at the very young age of 50. So it's been quite a difficult day.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will welcome Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea, Hon James Marape MP, to Australia on 7 December 2023 for an official visit.
Connected through our shared maritime border and joined through our rich cultures and history, Australia and Papua New Guinea have a close and longstanding partnership underpinned by mutual respect and trust.
The Prime Ministers will meet in Canberra to discuss the enduring security partnership and broader issues impacting on Papua New Guinea, Australia and the Pacific.
Every one of us in the Labor family is broken hearted by the death of our beloved Peta Murphy.
At this saddest of times we offer our deepest sympathies to her loving husband Rod and all her family.
Peta Murphy was the strongest of local members, the most inspiring of colleagues and the very best kind of friend.
To attend a community event with Peta was to bask in her glow. Like all of us who served alongside her, the people Peta represented admired her determination, they respected her passion, and they responded – above all – to her authenticity.
NEIL MITCHELL, HOST: The Prime Minister, Mr Albanese, before we're nice to each other. Mr Albanese, good morning.
ANTHONY ALBANESE, PRIME MINISTER: Good morning, Neil.
MITCHELL: I actually played that for both of us. The polls are bad, the Government's stumbling. You look tired. You could be chopped liver as well. What are you doing wrong?
I begin by acknowledging the traditional owners of the land on which we meet and I pay my respects to their elders past, present and emerging.
Parliamentary colleagues, distinguished guests.
Catherine Dovey, Nick and Tony Whitlam
Men and women of the Whitlam Institute and Western Sydney University.
It’s a great honour to follow the many distinguished Australians who have delivered this Oration, beginning with Prime Minister Gillard in 2011.
Gough famously warned us against assuming he was immortal.
The Albanese Government and the Australian Parliament, on behalf of the people of Australia has today offered a full, unreserved and overdue apology to all thalidomide survivors, their families, loved ones and carers.
The Government’s Australian Thalidomide Survivors Support Program will be re-opened to ensure that anyone who may have missed the previous opportunity to apply for support does not miss out on the support they need and deserve.
Mr Speaker,
Sixty-two years ago, today, the 29th of November, 1961 was the day thalidomide was withdrawn from sale in Australia.
Every day between then and now, Australians affected by thalidomide have been owed an apology.
Today, at long last, Australia will say sorry.
I want to acknowledge and welcome all the thalidomide survivors and their families here with us in the Parliament.
I extend that same respect to all those watching from afar, here with us in spirit.
You have been survivors from the day you were born.
I am pleased to announce the Governor‑General has accepted my recommendation to appoint Stephanie Foster as Secretary of the Department of Home Affairs.
Ms Foster has had an extensive career in the Australian Public Service, including as acting Secretary and Associate Secretary of Home Affairs, and Deputy Secretary of the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. Ms Foster has held other senior positions in the APS, including at the Australian Public Service Commission, the Department of Infrastructure and the Department of Defence.
Senator Patrick Dodson’s plan to retire from the Senate fills me with sadness – but also with gratitude.
Patrick Dodson is a great Yawuru man, a wonderful Australian, and an excellent human being.
You would gladly follow him into battle yet he's made it his life's work to make peace. From the moment he entered Parliament, he has made this place a better one.
As a boy, he hid in the long grass while the police and welfare officers took his mates.