The Australian and Victorian Governments have announced an $877 million Recovery Support package, supporting businesses, farmers, and not-for-profits to rebuild and return to trade as quickly as possible, following the recent devastating floods.
Grants of up to $50,000 are available to eligible businesses and not-for-profit organisations to support recovery efforts including rebuilding damaged infrastructure and replacing damaged assets.
DAVID PENBERTHY, HOST: To deal with the many cost of living issues facing us right now, we have our old mate from Two Tribes who we no longer call Albo now that he's the Prime Minister of Australia. Prime Minister, good morning. Thank you for your time.
ANTHONY ALBANESE, PRIME MINISTER: Good morning, David. Good to be with you. And an unlikely source of some respect there.
PENBERTHY: I know. It jars was my natural approach. But you know, the authority of office, we have to doff our cap to it.
FIFI BOX, HOST: We’re pumped about this, for the first time on our show we are joined by the Prime Minister, Albo, Anthony Albanese, and we've created his own jingle.
JINGLE: (To the tune of “Easy” by Commodores) It's Albanese.
PRIME MINISTER (IN JINGLE): My fellow Australians, thank you for this extraordinary honour.
JINGLE: Albanese's on the show this morning.
WALEED ALY, HOST: And the Prime Minister Anthony Albanese joins us now. Thank you very much for joining us.
ANTHONY ALBANESE, PRIME MINISTER: Good to be with you.
ALY: Is the idea of this based on what we did with tobacco, as a country?
PRIME MINISTER: Well, it is research-based of what are the most effective messages so that people who are problem gamblers will pause and think about the consequences.
NATALIE BARR, HOST: The New South Wales Government is today announcing a flood buyback scheme for the Northern Rivers region. In partnership with the Federal Government, around 20 homeowners in the most vulnerable locations will be eligible to raise, repair, retrofit or have their home voluntarily bought back. $800 million has been set aside for this program and eligible areas include Ballina, Byron, Clarence Valley, Kyogle, Lismore, Richmond Valley and Tweed. Joining me now is the Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese. Good morning to you.
PETER STEFANOVIC, HOST: Prime Minister, good morning to you. So this buyback scheme, it's an interesting one. How's it going to work?
ANTHONY ALBANESE, PRIME MINISTER: Thanks for joining us here in North Lismore this morning. We thank Brian for welcoming us into his home. Brian's done it really tough. He got rescued during the flood event earlier this year by a neighbour, when he wheeled Brian out, the water was up almost to his shoulder level. He had to stay in a shed across the road here for four days and they kept having to lift him further and further up in order to keep him away from the rising floodwaters. Brian's story is just one of so many.
ANDREW CHARLTON, MEMBER FOR PARRAMATTA: Welcome everybody. It is wonderful to have the Prime Minister and the Treasurer here in Parramatta. Parramatta is a great city, it’s becoming a global city. It’s already New South Wales’ fastest growing economy and the fastest growing and most dynamic CBD in Australia. This week's Budget delivers for Parramatta. If you are a family, this Budget is for you. Cheaper childcare, more paid parental leave and cheaper medicines. If you’re a young person in Parramatta, this budget is for 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.
It’s fantastic to be in Griffith today to open this magnificent new sports complex.
I know it’s been in the works for a long time, so today’s a proud day – and I’m delighted to be sharing it with you.
This new complex offers so much.
Brand new basketball and netball courts.
A new athletics track, grandstand, hockey pitch and Olympic-size pool.
ANTHONY ALBANESE, PRIME MINISTER: I'm here for the opening of the Griffith Regional Sports Centre and I'm joined by the mayor Doug Curran, the local member, Helen Dalton and Wes Fang representing the New South Wales Government from the New South Wales Legislative Council. This is a fantastic facility and congratulations to all of the local community who have campaigned and funded this over 20 years. This is a project that was first envisaged way back in 2002.