Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will travel to the United States for the 2024 Quad Leaders’ Summit, to be held on 21 September in Wilmington, Delaware. The Prime Minister will attend with fellow Quad Leaders, the President of the United States Joseph R. Biden Jr., Prime Minister Narendra Modi of India, and Prime Minister Kishida Fumio of Japan.
PRIME MINISTER: Good afternoon. Today we are putting the care back into aged care. We're announcing the greatest improvement in aged care in 30 years. At the heart of our Government's aged care reforms are a simple set of principles - providing dignity, choice, respect and quality of care to older Australians. More Australians are living longer, and that's a good thing. But I know that older Australians worry about going into aged care, and I know that their children and grandchildren worry about it too. This is about caring for the generation that cared for us.
The Albanese Government will deliver historic aged care reforms to ensure the viability and quality of aged care, and support growing numbers of older Australians choosing to retain their independence and remain in their homes as they age.
Around 1.4 million Australians will benefit from a new Support at Home program by 2035, helping them remain independent, in their home and their community for longer.
$5.6 billion will be invested in a reform package which represents the greatest improvement to aged care in 30 years, and includes these major changes:
On behalf of all Australians, it is my great honour to welcome you home.
I know that plane behind us had some very special carry-on baggage.
18 gold medals, 17 silver and 28 bronze.
That adds-up to another outstanding Paralympics for Australia – and a credit to all of you who were part of the squad.
Working together as teammates, coaches and support staff – looking out for each other and pushing each other to higher standards and new success.
MARK BERETTA, HOST: Prime Minister, thanks for joining us. I've got to ask you, firstly, what's happening in Melbourne, the protests, the violence at the Land Forces Conference. What's your feeling on that?
ANTHONY ALBANESE, PRIME MINISTER: Well look, people have a right to protest peacefully, but you don't say you're opposed to defence equipment by throwing things at police. They've got a job to do and our police officers should be respected at all times.
On Tuesday, I announced that our government is going to create a new minimum age for access to social media.
We will bring this legislation into parliament before the end of the year. This is all about supporting parents and protecting children.
I know there are many mums and dads who have been pushing for change in this area and this newspaper has run a strong campaign in support of them.
The South Australian government has been doing important work as well but, at the end of the day, this in an issue that crosses state borders.
The Albanese Labor Government will introduce legislation this year to enforce a minimum age for access to social media and other relevant digital platforms.
A Commonwealth-led approach to this important social issue will ensure Australian children are better protected from online harms and parents and carers are supported.
Federal legislation will be informed by engagement with States and Territories through National Cabinet and draw upon recent work by former Chief Justice, Robert French.
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 so important that we’re all here today.
I’d like to acknowledge my colleagues from across the Parliament – not least Emma McBride, the Assistant Minister for Mental Health and Suicide Prevention.
I’d particularly like to acknowledge Nieves Murray, the CEO of Suicide Prevention Australia, and Michael Gardner, the head of the National Suicide Prevention Office.
MICHAEL ‘WIPPA’ WIPFLI, HOST: The announcement last night is a huge step forward and we thank and welcome the Prime Minister, Mr Albanese, welcome.
ANTHONY ALBANESE, PRIME MINISTER: G'day, good to be with you all.
WIPPA: Mate, fantastic encouragement overnight. This is terrific news. You were one of the first people to encourage everybody to go to the petition and sign at 36 months.com.au. We thank you for your support and your understanding of how serious and devastating this influence of social media has been on our kids.
NATALIE BARR, HOST: Good morning, Prime Minister.
ANTHONY ALBANESE, PRIME MINISTER: Good morning, Nat.
BARR: I think a lot of parents will be on board with this. This is so frustrating, it is harming lives. The big question now, how is it going to work?