ANTHONY ALBANESE, PRIME MINISTER: Can I give a shout out to Judith, who's had her 80th birthday today and came down to say, g'day. Proof that there is a random South Sydney person everywhere, is the fact that I can come to a TAFE here at Loganlea and find a random Souths supporter. So, happy birthday to Judith. But we're here today to announce our candidate for Forde. Rowan Holzberger is someone I've known for a long period of time.
ANTHONY ALBANESE, PRIME MINISTER: It's great to be back in Queensland, and to be here to announce that Rebecca Hack will be our candidate for the electorate of Ryan, which we're in, which will be a three way contest at the next election. This week, many workers in this electorate, like workers right across the country, will be getting their pay packets. And what they'll notice is that the pay packets are bigger, there's more money in their pockets, because we've delivered tax cuts for all 13.6 million taxpayers.
Work has begun on the much-needed upgrade to Henson Park following a $12.5 million funding agreement between the Federal Government, State Government, the AFL and Inner West Council.
The Albanese Government has long supported a renewal of Henson Park, having first committed to funding its upgrade in 2019.
This week, we are pleased to welcome Prime Minister of Tuvalu, the Hon Feleti Teo OBE, to Australia, where he will visit Brisbane, Adelaide and Tamworth and meet with Prime Minister Albanese, senior members of the Government and Opposition, PALM workers and diaspora.
Prime Minister Feleti’s visit is an opportunity to discuss progress on implementation of the Falepili Union, our joint initiative to help safeguard our collective peace, security and sovereignty.
JOSH BURNS, MEMBER FOR MACNAMARA: My family came to Australia fleeing the darkness of antisemitism. This country has been a safe haven for the Jewish people and for so many others. A country of diversity, of opportunity, of multiculturalism. And over the last 10 months that really has been challenged, it's a pressured time where people have lashed out at one another. But this conflict overseas is not a license to fight in our communities here.
The Albanese Government today announces the appointment of Ms Jillian Segal AO as Special Envoy to Combat Antisemitism in Australia, as part of our ongoing efforts to preserve social cohesion in Australia.
The conflict in the Middle East has deeply affected communities across Australia.
The appointment of the Special Envoy is a critical step in the Government’s efforts to ensure all Australians feel safe and included.
Every Australian, no matter their race or religion, should be able to feel safe and at home in any community, without prejudice or discrimination.
KRISTY MCBAIN, MINISTER FOR REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT, LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND TERRITORIES: Well, good morning. It's a real pleasure to welcome you to Queanbeyan, the heart of the nation's capital. I'm just kidding. We're obviously over the border in New South Wales. But we're very excited to have the Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese, here and the Minister for Health, Mark Butler, to make this announcement in Queanbeyan today. Urgent care clinics are required right across this country, and it's no different here in Queanbeyan.
The Albanese Government is strengthening Medicare to deliver a better, fairer and stronger health system and responsible cost of living relief.
In just over 12 months, the network of Medicare Urgent Care Clinics has achieved an historic milestone with more than 500,000 free visits across the country.
Half a million presentations since the Albanese Government established the first clinics in June 2023, with Australians receiving treatment for a range of conditions and injuries that are urgent, but not life-threatening.
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.
It’s great to be with you again this morning.
Last night’s awards were a fantastic celebration of the work that all of you do in every community in Australia.
And another reminder of the power and value of this forum - the opportunity it gives all of us in the Federal Government to demonstrate our respect and appreciation for local government.
The Albanese Government is getting on with the job of building homes for Australia, with successful recipients announced under Stream 1 of the $1.5 billion Housing Support Program.
A total of 80 projects across Australia will receive funding, including 73 local government projects and seven under the states and territories.
This funding will support master planning and development projects to accelerate housing supply and ensure residential growth in local communities is accessible, affordable and sustainable.