SCOTT BEVAN, HOST: The PM has come to the Hunter to deliver a speech last night at what is called the Hunter Nexus Dinner, organised by the University and the organisation Hunter Business. Well, in his speech, Mr. Albanese has talked a lot about the future, about change, about new energy sources, new jobs and a new fast rail network - yep, rears its head again - and he reckons this region has a lot to teach the rest of the country when it comes to making these things happen. Well, before he delivered the speech, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese gave an interview to me.

EMMA MCBRIDE, ASSISTANT MINISTER FOR MENTAL HEALTH AND SUICIDE PREVENTION: I'd like to welcome the Prime Minister to this clinic. I'd also like to acknowledge my colleagues, Pat Conroy, the Member for Shortland and Dr Gordon Reid, the Member for Robertson, and to the principles of practice here Dr. Sachin for the work that you'd have done on behalf of our community. And to the doctors, nurses and staff here at Central Coast Coastal Lakes Medical Practice, thank you for the contribution you're making to our community, including Dr. Rathi, who I just spoke to. Dr.

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.

I'm delighted be back in Newcastle.

This is a beautiful part of our country, it's also a community that can teach us so much about responding to challenges and seizing opportunities.

Newcastle and the Hunter tell a great Australian story of resilience and reconstruction.

A reminder that even as we grapple with the urgent challenges of the present, we must always be looking to anticipate and shape the future.

TANYA WILKS, HOST: Our Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese is with us. Congratulations, Albo, to you and Jodie.

ANTHONY ALBANESE, PRIME MINISTER: Thank you so much. People have been very kind. I assure you that Steve's marital status did not enter into calculation.

STEVE GRAHAM, HOST: Yeah, thank you, mate. I appreciate that. Although I do find you being very Australian, it's like: “will you marry me”? “Yes”. “And by the way, I'm going away for the weekend”.

COTT LEVI, HOST: The Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese, is visiting the Central Coast today, a place he has very close connections to with his now fiancé, Jodie Haydon, a local through and through. Good morning, Mr Prime Minister.

Ahead of the second anniversary of Russia's brutal full-scale invasion, the Albanese Government will provide a $50 million grant to the International Fund for Ukraine, directly supporting the procurement of priority military capabilities.

The International Fund for Ukraine is administered by the United Kingdom's Ministry of Defence. It uses international partners' contributions to procure priority military equipment for Ukraine and ensure the continued supply of military support – lethal and non-lethal –through 2024 and beyond.

The Prime Ministers of Australia, Canada and New Zealand today issued the following statement on reports of Israel's planned military operation in Rafah.

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 also acknowledge those members of the Stolen Generations who have joined us in here. I had the great honour of spending time with them this morning at the National Apology Breakfast.

Your presence humbles us, and elevates us.

The Apology was the very first order of business of the Rudd Labor Government. There are many moments I am proud of as a parliamentarian, but that extraordinary day 16 years ago remains my proudest.

The Albanese Government is announcing a new Remote Jobs and Economic Development Program (RJED) that will help close the gap in employment outcomes by creating 3,000 jobs in remote Australia.

This $707 million investment is the first step in delivering on our commitment to replace the failed Community Development Program (CDP) with real jobs, proper wages, and decent conditions.

The new Remote Jobs and Economic Development Program, starting in the second half of this year, is about self-determination through economic and community development.

I begin by acknowledging the traditional owners of the land on which we are meeting.

I pay my respects to elders past, present and emerging.

I also pass on my respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people that are with us here this morning.

And I particularly want to acknowledge every member of the Stolen Generations who are here with us today.

It is such an honour for me to be here with you.

Just as it was an extraordinary honour for me to be able to play a part in that extraordinary day sixteen years ago.