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Sixty-two years ago, today, the 29th of November, 1961 was the day thalidomide was withdrawn from sale in Australia.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.
JOHN LAWS, HOST: We have the Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese, on the line. Good morning, Prime Minister.
ANTHONY ALBANESE, PRIME MINISTER: Good morning, John. And congratulations. What an achievement. 70th anniversary of being on radio is quite remarkable. And you have made Australia better for your contribution.
LAWS: Isn't that a nice thing for you to say. Thank you very much for those extremely kind words. It doesn't seem like 70 years, but it is when you say it. It is a long time.
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.
Lieutenant General Simon Stuart, Chief of Army.
Vice Admiral Mark Hammond, Chief of Navy.
Members of the Diplomatic Corps.
Representatives of the Silentworld Foundation.
Shadow Minister for Defence, Andrew Hastie for whom I know tonight holds special meaning.
And most importantly, all of you with a personal connection to those whom we commemorate this evening.
Earlier today the Governor-General in Council terminated the appointment of Michael Pezzullo as Secretary of the Department of Home Affairs.
This action was based on a recommendation to me by the Secretary of the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet and the Australian Public Service Commissioner, following an independent inquiry by Lynelle Briggs. That inquiry found breaches of the Australian Public Service Code of Conduct by Mr Pezzullo. Mr Pezzullo fully cooperated with the inquiry.
I thank Ms Briggs for conducting the inquiry.
As recent tragedies in Western Australia have so starkly reminded us, family and domestic violence recognises no social, economic or cultural barriers. But while it is indiscriminate, it is not inevitable.
On the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, I want to reiterate my Government’s commitment to ending violence against women and children.
There is no time to waste.