VIRGINIA TRIOLI, HOST: Prime Minister, good morning, how are you? 

I begin by acknowledging the traditional owners of the land on which we meet, I pay my respects to elders past, present and emerging.

I am proud to lead a government committed to the Uluru Statement from the Heart, in full, including a constitutionally-enshrined Voice to Parliament.

The Bradfield Oration is a valuable opportunity to reflect on the legacy of a man who had a deep love for this city and boundless faith in the potential of this nation.

We are pleased to announce the appointment of Kerri Hartland as the new Director-General of the Australian Secret Intelligence Service.

Ms Hartland served as Deputy Director-General of ASIO from 2011 to 2017 and has continued to work with the national intelligence community as a consultant, as Chair of the AFP and the Office of the Special Investigator Audit and Risk Committees, Special Advisor to Fintel Alliance, and as a member of the National Security College Futures Council.

National Cabinet met virtually today to discuss national priorities.

COVID-19

National Cabinet received a briefing on COVID-19 from the acting Chief Medical Officer, Professor Michael Kidd.

First Ministers agreed to a strategic framework to support the transition of measures and policies to a sustainable COVID-19 steady state.

We are moving towards managing COVID-19 like any respiratory illness but in a way that keeps Australians safe and protected.

LEON BYNER, HOST: Let's talk to Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese.

ANTHONY ALBANESE, PRIME MINISTER: Good morning, Leon. And can I say congratulations on quite a magnificent career? I know you'll continue to be there as a casual participant rather than each and every day. And I just think it's always been wonderful talking with you. And can I say as well, that you are someone who has championed issues over the years, particularly standing up for the people of Adelaide in South Australia?

I begin by acknowledging the traditional owners of the land on which we meet, I pay my respects to their elders past, present and emerging.

I am proud to lead a Labor Government committed to the Uluru Statement from the Heart, in full, including a constitutionally-enshrined Voice to Parliament.

I welcome Nicholas Whitlam, Catherine Dovey and your families

Federal and state colleagues, members of local government.

Distinguished guests

A great nation such as ours preserves its treasures.

Honours our legends.

Celebrates our history.

ANTHONY ALBANESE, PRIME MINISTER: It is fantastic to be here 50 years to the day when Gough Whitlam declared himself as the Prime Minister of Australia. The Whitlam Government changed our nation, modernised our nation, laid the foundations for the best healthcare system in the world, opened up educational opportunities, changed the way that investment happened in our suburbs, advanced Indigenous reconciliation, and changed our relationship with the world.

The Prime Minister of Australia, the Hon Anthony Albanese MP, welcomed Prime Minister Sanna Marin of the Republic of Finland to Sydney on 2 December 2022, marking the first visit to Australia by a Finnish Prime Minister. The Prime Ministers discussed a range of issues reflecting the breadth of their common interests and values.

ANTHONY ALBANESE, PRIME MINISTER OF AUSTRALIA: Well, Prime Minister, can I very much welcome you to Kirribilli House, and to Sydney, and to Australia. You are a very welcome guest. Australia has very good relations with Finland. And there will be some important business announcements during your visit about cooperation that we have. Our governments have very similar policies on clean energy. And I see that as being an area of increased cooperation.

ANTHONY ALBANESE, PRIME MINISTER: Well, thanks very much for joining us this morning. I’ll start off and then the Premier, my good friend Peter Malinauskas, will have some comments and then the Commissioner will add to those comments as well. Can I say we have been visiting here today in Renmark, talking to business operators, talking to local community members about the challenges that this community is facing. It is expected that the waters here will peak for the first time on 14 December. What we have seen is a preparedness that is being put in place for that event.