KARL STEFANOVIC, HOST: More now on Australia's historic diplomatic shift, announcing plans to formally recognise the state of Palestine.
SARAH ABO, HOST: The Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese joins us live now from Melbourne. PM, good morning to you. So, the Palestinian community says this doesn't go far enough. They think -
BRIDGET BRENNAN, HOST: Time now to talk about our top story, that of the Australian Government making the decision that it will recognise a Palestinian state. And the Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese, joins me now from Melbourne. Good morning to you, Prime Minister.
ANTHONY ALBANESE, PRIME MINISTER: Good morning. Good to be with you.
BRENNAN: It's taken more than 70 years for a decision like this to be made. How do you think this moment will be remembered in the years to come?
NATALIE BARR, HOST: For more on the Palestine decision, the Prime Minister joins us live in Melbourne. Good morning to you.
ANTHONY ALBANESE, PRIME MINISTER: Good morning Nat, good to be with you.
BARR: Do you think this announcement that you made yesterday will actually change anything on the ground in Gaza?
ANTHONY ALBANESE, PRIME MINISTER: Today, I can confirm that at the 80th Session of the United Nations General Assembly in September, Australia will recognise the State of Palestine. Australia will recognise the right of the Palestinian people to a state of their own, predicated on the commitments Australia has received from the Palestinian Authority. We will work with the international community to make this right a reality.
Australia will recognise the State of Palestine at the 80th Session of the United Nations General Assembly in September, to contribute to international momentum towards a two-state solution, a ceasefire in Gaza and release of the hostages.
Since 1947, Australia has supported Israel’s existence. In that year, Australia’s Foreign Minister Evatt chaired the UN committee that recommended the creation of two states side by side.
Then, as now, the international community understood a two-state solution was the basis of peace and security for the peoples of the region.
ANTHONY ALBANESE, PRIME MINISTER: When Australians think of New Zealand, we think of the Anzacs and we think of the sacrifice that we've made together in defence of our freedom. Australia and New Zealand are great friends. We think alike and we act alike on the international stage.
CHRISTOPHER LUXON, PRIME MINISTER OF NEW ZEALAND: Kia ora. Good afternoon, everybody. As you know, the Prime Minister and I have just concluded our formal leaders' meeting. We’ll take questions in a moment but before we do say, I want to make a few brief remarks, and then I'll pass to Prime Minister Albanese to do likewise. Let me open by just reiterating what an absolute pleasure it is to welcome you to Queenstown, Anthony.
CHRISTOPHER LUXON, PRIME MINISTER OF NEW ZEALAND: Ngā mihi nui, kia koutou, we welcome you again, Prime Minister Albanese, and to all the delegation that's with us as well. We just are so grateful that you've come. Thank you for spending this time with us. And welcome to Queenstown, which is, of course, a place that a lot of Australians come to get a true winter experience in, and a lot of New Zealanders leave to go get a true sandy beach experience in Australia to get away from the winter. But look, we just want to say, thank you so much. It's great that you're here.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will travel to New Zealand from 9 to 10 August to join Prime Minister the Rt Hon Christopher Luxon at the annual Australia–New Zealand Leaders’ Meeting.
Australia and New Zealand share a deep and enduring bond as friends, neighbours and allies. Australia has no closer partner, and both countries are committed to strongly backing Pacific-led solutions to the region’s challenges.