ANTHONY ALBANESE, PRIME MINISTER OF AUSTRALIA: It is my great pleasure to welcome you to Australia and to reciprocate the wonderful hospitality that I received in Shanghai and Beijing last year, it was a resumption of our Annual Leaders’ Meetings. I did have a wonderful time while I was in China and I know that you enjoyed your visit to Adelaide yesterday. And we will also meet again in Perth tomorrow with the business community.
Today Prime Minister Anthony Albanese hosted Chinese Premier Li Qiang in Canberra for their Annual Leaders’ Meeting.
Following the meeting, the leaders witnessed the signature of a range of bilateral arrangements that will renew dialogue and strengthen cooperation between Australia and China.
Australia’s goods and services exports to China have more than doubled since China-Australia Free Trade Agreement entered into force in 2015. Ministers signed a Memorandum of Understanding to strengthen its implementation.
CHRIS O’KEEFE, HOST: You know that I've been campaigning and a big supporter on upgrading Leichhardt Oval and I've been doing stories on it for more than 10 years, I reckon. I'm not a Wests Tigers supporter. I've been living in the area, though, in and around Balmain for ages now and I've seen firsthand just how many sporting teams use Leichhardt Oval for a whole range of sports. Doesn't matter what it is, juniors, adult sport, it is always being used and I just want to remind you of something.
HIS EXCELLENCY MR LI QIANG, PREMIER OF THE PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA: Nice to meet you, Mr. Prime Minister in here in Jakarta. Indeed it's my pleasure to have this opportunity. Last November, you met with President Xi Jinping, also in Indonesia but in Bali. A series of important common understandings were reached. Since then, thanks to the concerted efforts of both sides, the China-Australia relationship has continued to show a positive momentum of improvement which is welcomed by all sectors of both countries and the international community.
Today I met China’s Premier Li Qiang in the margins of the East Asia Summit.
We had a frank and constructive discussion, welcomed ongoing progress in stabilising our bilateral relationship, and the renewed engagement between our two countries. We both agreed on the value of expanding cooperation in areas of shared interest.
I raised a range of bilateral and other issues of importance to Australia, including remaining trade impediments, consular cases and human rights. We discussed and shared perspectives on regional and international security issues.
A joint $40 million investment in Sydney’s historic Leichhardt Oval will deliver critical upgrades to ensure the safety and comfort of competitors and fans.
The Albanese Government recognises the significant contribution Leichhardt Oval has made, and continues to make, to sport in Australia. It is on track to host 120 sporting fixtures in 2024, including both men’s and women’s national rugby league matches and dozens of other sport events including women and girls’ soccer.
ANTHONY ALBANESE, PRIME MINISTER: Thanks everyone for joining us at what is a very exciting announcement here at Leichhardt Oval. This is an iconic venue and it's about not just sport, it's really about people's identity - people who've played here, people who've come and watched their heroes here. It is a venue that will see more than 100 different sporting events this year. Everything from West Tigers, Sydney FC games, to local school sport and junior activity as well. Both importantly, because what we're seeing is an enormous growth in women's team sport.
HOST: Brandy, has come in on his day off. He is here right now. Brandy, looking well. How you doing?
HOST: Oh gee, it's good to be with you, two. It's a real treat. Friday morning it was my RDO, but being the political correspondent that I am for our program, we've got a very special guest, so I thought I'd just drop in anyway.
MICK MOLLOY, HOST: This is a great announcement and I'm so pleased to have the Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese on the program this morning to talk us through his plans for Leichhardt Oval. These ovals, they're more than just blades of grass, MG. They're meeting places. It's fields of drama for local people at a local level, and this is a breakthrough. Thank you for joining us this morning, Prime Minister. Talk us through and congratulations on your plans for Leichhardt Oval.
MARK GEYER, HOST: Morning, Albo.