Press conference - Parliament House, Canberra

ANTHONY ALBANESE, PRIME MINISTER: Can I first just make some comments on the Queensland floods. Sincere condolences for the family and friends of a woman who was found outside Ingham. 82 years of age. This is the second loss of life that we've seen in the Queensland floods. The Australian Government continues to provide every support possible. Jenny McAllister remains on the ground there working closely with the Premier, David Crisafulli. I'm in regular contact with David Crisafulli and will be personally engaging there as well.

Enduring fee free TAFE one step closer thanks to Albanese Labor Government

The Albanese Labor Government’s Free TAFE bill is one step closer after passing the House of Representatives this afternoon.

The legislation will lock in an ongoing, coordinated approach with states and territories, to address local and national skills shortages, while delivering cost of living relief to those who need it most.

Peter Dutton, Sussan Ley and the Liberals and Nationals shamefully tried to block the bill in the House declaring that a key tenet of the Liberal Party is “if you don’t pay for something, you don’t value it.”

Albanese Labor Government building Australia's future with more money for public hospital reform

The Albanese Labor Government is building Australia’s future and strengthening Medicare, delivering an additional $1.7billion to fund public hospitals and health services next year.

This is in stark contrast to Peter Dutton, who was voted Australia’s worst Health Minister by Australia’s doctors and cut more than $50 billion from public hospitals.

International Women's Day Breakfast

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

I’m delighted to be with you again, ahead of International Women’s Day.

This year’s call to “March Forward” is a chance to reflect on areas where Australia has come a long way and to be clear about where we still have a long way to go.

To look at the foundations we’ve laid – and to be ambitious for what we can build.

Disaster recovery allowance available for communities affected by North Queensland floods

The Albanese Government is activating financial support for communities directly affected by the floods in North Queensland through the Disaster Recovery Allowance (DRA).

The DRA offers up to 13 weeks of income support for eligible workers and sole traders depending on their personal circumstances who have suffered a loss of income as a direct result of the flooding in the Local Government Areas (LGAs) of Burdekin, Cassowary Coast, Hinchinbrook, Palm Island and Townsville.

Doorstop - Canberra

ANTHONY ALBANESE, PRIME MINISTER: I think the sermon that we've heard today – hope in an uncertain world – was appropriate. We do need hope, and we need optimism, and as we begin the parliamentary year, that's precisely what I have. Optimism for the year ahead, and optimism that we can create a better future for Australia if we seize the opportunities that are before us. We begin the parliamentary year with inflation falling, wages rising, and with unemployment low.