ANTHONY ALBANESE, PRIME MINISTER: All Australians' thoughts are with the family, friends, and all who know the brave firefighters who've lost their lives as a result of the fatal air accident that occurred in North Queensland. We know that people who fight fires and stand up in emergency services risk their lives each and every day to assist their fellow Australians and to assist their communities. And today, our hearts go out to them.
Premier of the People’s Republic of China, Your Excellency Li Qiang.
Excellencies,
Distinguished Guests,
Ladies and gentlemen.
It is a great pleasure to be with you at the China International Import Expo today.
This is my seventh visit to the People's Republic of China, but my first as Prime Minister of Australia.
And it is wonderful to be back here in this extraordinarily beautiful global city of Shanghai.
It’s a great pleasure to be in your company here in this most extraordinary of cities.
It is a very particular honour to be here as Prime Minister 50 years after Gough Whitlam became the first Australian Prime Minister to visit China.
Establishing diplomatic relations with the People’s Republic was one of Prime Minister Whitlam’s priorities when he came to power, followed by the signing of the first trade agreement between our two countries.
It was a turning point in the long story between our nations.
ANTHONY ALBANESE, PRIME MINISTER: It’s terrific to be here in Shanghai. This is my seventh visit to China but my first as Prime Minister. And it's an important international expo and its objective is to support jobs in Australia. And quite clearly, there are some 250 Australian companies here, many of whom have already benefited from the changes that have occurred in the trading relationship in recent times.
CHAIRMAN ZHAO LEJI, CHAIRMAN OF THE NATIONAL PEOPLE'S CONGRESS STANDING COMMITTEE: The Honourable Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, it's a great pleasure to meet with you.
On behalf of the National People's Congress of the People's Republic of China, I wish to extend a warm welcome to you.
During your first term, as senator, you visited China twice.
After you took office as Prime Minister, you're dedicated to stabilising and developing China Australia relations. I do appreciate that.
What happens in the world matters at home.
Global dynamics impact our security and our economy, but as we’ve seen through times of Covid and conflict, we also feel the effects in our household bills and jobs.
We feel it every time we visit the shops or the petrol pump. Everything is interlinked.
Never has this been more evident than during my visit to Washington last week.
My meetings there came at a time when our world faces a set of profound challenges.
The Albanese Government is making it easier to see a bulk billing doctor for more than 11 million Australians, with the largest investment in bulk billing in the 40-year history of Medicare.
From today, the incentive that general practitioners receive to bulk bill children under 16, pensioners and other Commonwealth concession cardholders will be tripled for most common GP consults.
It will be easier to find a bulk billing doctor for around 5 million children and their families and 7 million pensioners and other concession cardholders.
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 is such a pleasure to celebrate the upgrade of this extraordinary facility with you today. To quote the great Annie Lennox, sweet dreams are made of this.
Speaking as someone who grew up across the street from a factory that made chocolate biscuits, the aromas here almost have a touch of home.
A touch of home is something that the name Darrell Lea has for Australians.
HENRY BATEMAN, CEO CORNERSTONE HEALTH: I’d like to welcome the Prime Minister and Mike Freelander today. It is a privilege to have you here at this fantastic centre on a very great day for Medicare bulk billing and for access for patients.
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.
I am so pleased to be here today, to celebrate a world-leading example of Australian innovation.
The most efficient commercial-sized solar cell, in the world.
The global race for affordable and reliable renewable energy has never been more intense, or more important.
And leading on efficiency is a tremendous source of competitive advantage.
It means lowering costs - and reducing emissions.