All Australians are shocked and saddened by this tragic loss of life.
Two Queensland police officers, their lives cut short by this atrocity.
Constable Matthew Arnold, just 26 years of age.
Constable Rachel McCrow, just 29.
Constables from Tara Police Station, who lost their lives in this tragedy.
I pay tribute to them.
I pay tribute as well to their surviving fellow officers, Constable Randall Kirk and Constable Keeley Brough.
Prime Minister Albanese will travel to Papua New Guinea from 12-13 January to attend the Annual Leaders' Dialogue alongside his counterpart Prime Minister James Marape in Port Moresby.
Following the Dialogue, the Prime Ministers will travel together to Wewak on the northern coast of Papua New Guinea to visit the resting place of the late Grand Chief Sir Michael Somare.
I want to thank Honourable Members and Senators for returning to Parliament today, to vote on our plan for Energy Price Relief for:
This legislation is important - and it is urgent.
Because after a wasted decade of denial and delay…
After a wasted decade of neglecting the national energy grid and attacking renewables…
After a wasted decade:
Mr Speaker, I move that the House record its deep regret at the death on December 12, 2022, of Constable Rachel McCrow, Constable Matthew Arnold and Mr Alan Dare.
Place on record its acknowledgement of their bravery and sacrifice in the line of duty, and tender our sympathy to their families in their bereavement.
Mr Speaker, Monday, 12 December should have been an ordinary summer's day on the Western Downs.
A day of warmth under that big blue sky.
A day of peace.
Instead, that quiet was shattered by the gunfire of an atrocity.
I am pleased to announce I have recommended the Governor-General appoint Ms Alison Frame as the Secretary of the Department of Veterans' Affairs.
Ms Frame is currently Deputy Secretary, Social Policy, in the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. She has been a senior public servant for both the Commonwealth and New South Wales governments in a range of complex service delivery and policy roles. Ms Frame brings significant experience working with stakeholders and leading staff to deliver positive outcomes for the community.
KIERAN GILBERT, HOST: Prime Minister, thanks for your time.
ANTHONY ALBANESE, PRIME MINISTER: Good to be with you.
GILBERT: When Alan Carpenter established that gas reservation in WA, we heard many warnings from the gas industry. Do you see the complaints from the industry that we're hearing today now in a similar light to what was seen in WA all those years ago?
ANTHONY ALBANESE, PRIME MINISTER: National Cabinet met virtually today to discuss national priorities, and I want to thank the premiers and chief ministers for the ongoing constructive spirit in which they've engaged in discussions. Today was important. We heard from Professor Michael Kidd, the Acting Chief Medical Officer, about the ongoing issues dealing with COVID. We're moving towards managing these issues.
The Albanese Government is partnering with States and Territories to shield Australian families and businesses from the worst impacts of predicted energy price spikes.
The Government’s Energy Price Relief Plan will:
The planned trip to Papua New Guinea by Prime Minister Albanese from 12-13 December has been postponed due to COVID.
We are working with the Papua New Guinea Government to reschedule the visit for early 2023.
Prime Minister Albanese looks forward to visiting in the New Year, the first visit for an Australia Prime Minister to Papua New Guinea since 2018.
JAMES VALENTINE, HOST: The Prime Minister Anthony Albanese joins us this morning, Prime Minister. Good morning.
ANTHONY ALBANESE, PRIME MINISTER: Good morning. Good to be with you.
VALENTINE: How are you feeling? Are you over COVID?
PRIME MINISTER: Oh, I'm getting there. Last week was a difficult one earlier in the week. But I I'm feeling much better now, thank goodness.
VALENTINE: How did it effect you? It affects everyone, we all get it differently, don't we?