Your Majesty,

For decades, you have been warmly welcomed to our country by generations of Australians as the Prince of Wales.

Here, in the heart of our democracy, it now gives us the greatest pleasure to welcome you for the first time as sovereign – and to welcome alongside you Her Majesty, Queen Camilla.

Since your first visit in 1966, you have been taken into Australian hearts – just as you have taken us into yours.

You have known the great natural beauty of this continent in all its challenge and all its reward.

The Albanese Government has committed $6 million to the Channel 7 Telethon Trust to help improve the health and wellbeing of Australian babies and children.

Telethon is an annual televised fundraising appeal in Western Australia and is broadcast live for 26 hours.

Over the past five decades Telethon has raised more than $600 million for sick and disadvantaged children in Western Australia.  

I’m delighted to be back in Perth and back at Telethon.

This event is a wonderful tradition – and an extraordinary phenomenon.

For almost 60 years now, Telethon has reflected the very best of the West.

The kindness and compassion of the people of WA.

And also that famous West Australian determination: the willingness to get involved, dig deep and make a positive difference to the lives of children and families most in need of support. 

Under the Albanese Government, more Australians are working, earning more and keeping more of what they earn, with today’s ABS Labour Force figures showing well over a million jobs (1,039,300) have now been created since Labor came to office in 2022.

This is the first and only time any government of any political persuasion has overseen the creation of a million new jobs in a single parliamentary term.

This is a remarkable achievement, in the context of a slowing economy and a labour market that is expected to soften.

KAREN WHEATLAND, LABOR CANDIDATE FOR DURACK: My name is Karen Wheatland, and I'm the Federal Labor Candidate for the seat of Durack. I'm absolutely so proud to be standing here welcoming our Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese here on this very special and important announcement for the rock lobster crayfishing industry. Born and bred Geraldton girl. You know, I used to work, I've actually worked in that Co-Op, I've worked on scallops at the other Co-Op over there, I see a trawler across the way that I used to work on back in the 90s.

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

It is such a pleasure to be with you all tonight – with the membership of a union that has made such a real difference in the life and health of our nation.

A union whose ranks are made strong by heroes of the pandemic.

I would particularly like to acknowledge National Secretary Lloyd Williams and National President Gerard Hayes.

Leadership is challenging enough when things are relatively easy.

ANTHONY ALBANESE, PRIME MINISTER: Well good morning, and it’s absolutely wonderful to be back here in this beautiful city of Hobart for what is a very exciting announcement, being joined by the Premier of Tasmania, Jeremy Rockliff, by the local federal Member, Andrew Wilkie, by the Minister for Environment, Tanya Plibersek, and by Senator Catryna Bilyk, as well as by TASPORTS who are here to answer any difficult technical questions if they should arise.

The Albanese Government has secured Hobart’s future as the home port of Australia’s icebreaker, RSV Nuyina, and the long-term future of the Australian Antarctic Program in Tasmania.

An agreement between the Federal and Tasmanian Government for a new, fit-for-purpose Macquarie Wharf 6 has been reached, locking in Tasmania as Australia’s Antarctic and Southern Ocean Gateway.

The Albanese Government will contribute $188 million over four years to construct a new Macquarie Wharf 6 in the Port of Hobart.

The Albanese Government will establish a consolidated Commonwealth-owned Defence Precinct at Western Australia’s Henderson shipyard to underpin tens of billions of dollars of investment in defence capabilities in the West over the next two decades and support in the order of 10,000 well-paid, high-skilled local jobs.

The establishment of a consolidated Defence Precinct at Henderson is the critical next step in delivering continuous naval shipbuilding in Western Australia.

The Albanese Government is taking action to stop businesses ripping off Australians by banning unfair trading practices under the Australian Consumer Law.

This is about easing the cost of living and getting a fair go for consumers and suppliers.

From concert tickets to hotel rooms and gym memberships, Australians are fed up with businesses using tricky tactics that make it difficult to end subscriptions or add hidden fees to purchases.

These practices can distort purchasing decisions, or result in additional costs, putting more pressure on the cost of living.