Today, National Cabinet met virtually to discuss the COVID-19 pandemic, Monkeypox (MPX), Foot and Mouth Disease and the upcoming Jobs and Skills Summit.  

Chief Medical Officer, Professor Paul Kelly provided an update on the current COVID-19 situation, including the uptake of vaccine booster doses and COVID-19 treatments.

The Commonwealth, State and Territory leaders discussed the continuing impact of COVID-19 on health system capacity and that they would work together to plan and prepare for likely future waves of COVID-19.

The Albanese Government’s Climate Change Bill 2022 has passed the House of Representatives today.

The Bill will enshrine into law an emissions reduction target of 43 per cent from 2005 levels by 2030 and net zero emissions by 2050.

It has brought together business, industry, unions, farmers, community and conservation groups, all of whom have asked the Parliament to put Australia on the path to net-zero emissions.

PRIME MINISTER ANTHONY ALBANESE: This morning the national cabinet met virtually and was attended by all Premiers and Chief Ministers to discuss the COVID-19 pandemic and discuss monkey pox as well as to receive briefings about Foot and Mouth Disease. Professor Paul Kelly is with me this this afternoon with the Chief Medical Officer provided an update on the current COVID-19 situation, including the uptake of the vaccine booster doses and antiviral treatments.

I am pleased to announce I have recommended the Governor-General appoint Ms Meghan Quinn PSM as the new Secretary of the Department of Industry, Science and Resources.

Ms Quinn has had a distinguished career in both the public and private sector.

In the public sector, Ms Quinn has been focussed on the Commonwealth Treasury portfolio, undertaking a number of senior roles, including as Deputy Secretary of the Markets Group, and the Macroeconomic Group. She was also central to the preparation of the Australia in the Asian Century White Paper in 2012.

VIRGINIA TRIOLI, HOST: Anthony Albanese Prime Minister of Australia joins us now. Good morning, Prime Minister.

PRIME MINISTER ANTHONY ALBANESE: Good morning, Virginia. Thanks for having me on the program.

TRIOLI: So now the hard part. How do you do it? How do you get Australia's biggest emitters that the engine rooms of our economy really to get 5 million tonnes of emissions out of the air by 2050?

It is a true honour and pleasure to come here as Prime Minister and congratulate you on your 90th anniversary.

Through nine decades, the ABC has brought us closer together as a nation.

You’ve added to our identity. You’ve added to our voice.

You’ve brought us laughter and tears.

You’ve exposed hard truths and celebrated triumphs.

You’ve brought sunshine into dark corners.

You’ve sought out the bright moments in order to share the light.

LEON BYNER, HOST: It's my pleasure to welcome again, the Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese. Good morning.

ANTHONY ALBANESE, PRIME MINISTER: Good morning, Leon, good to be with you.

BYNER: And likewise, you must be pretty happy with yourself because people are liking what you're doing, your approval rating is very good.

WALEED ALY, HOST: Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese, joins us from Canberra. Prime Minister, the ACCC report says we might be running out of gas next year. Will we?

ALLISON LANGDON, HOST: We have some very exciting news for you here because we have a surprise guest. We have just found the Prime Minister playing rugby league outside Parliament House.

CHARLES CROUCHER, HOST: Naturally. Good morning, PM.

LANGDON: Yay. Look who is it.

ANTHONY ALBANESE, PRIME MINISTER: G'day, good to be with you.

CROUCHER: What is going on where you are there?

Today the Albanese Government announced details of the Defence Strategic Review, including the Terms of Reference and the independent leads who will conduct this Review for government.

In 2020, the Defence Strategic Update identified that changes in Australia’s strategic environment are accelerating more rapidly than predicted in the 2012 Force Posture Review. As our national security landscape changes, it is vital that our defence force remains positioned to meet our global and regional security challenges.