The Albanese Government’s $1 billion investment in the Solar Sunshot program will supercharge Australia’s ambition to become a renewable energy super power at home and abroad.

The significant new commitment follows today’s introduction of legislation establishing the Net Zero Economy Authority to help catalyse investment in a clean energy future made in Australia’s regions.

Solar SunShot will help Australia capture more of the global solar manufacturing supply chain through support, including production subsidies and grants.

The global shift to net zero emissions is Australia’s opportunity to become a renewable energy superpower.

That is why today the Albanese Government has introduced legislation to establish the Net Zero Economy Authority to ensure Australian workers and regions realise and share the benefits of the net zero economy.

The Government is also announcing $189.3 million over four years from 2023-24 (and $53.3 million per year ongoing) in resourcing for the Authority.

The Northern Territory is a big place with even bigger potential and our Labor Government is proud to be investing in its people.

Our Cabinet met in Darwin last week to focus on delivering a better future for all Territorians: building more homes, investing in better schools and creating good jobs.

Taking Cabinet out of Canberra and around the nation reflects my determination to lead a Government for all Australians. It’s also a practical way of listening to locals and consulting with communities, to drive better decisions and better results.

ANDREW GEE, MEMBER FOR CALARE: Well, good morning, folks, thank you for joining us here in Eugowra. And it's terrific to welcome the Prime Minister back to Eugowra fulfilling that commitment that he made, that he would visit again and see for himself the progress and hear the issues that local residents have. The rebuilding and reconstruction process here in Eugowra has been a long and hard road. And as you can see, by walking and driving around Eugowra, that work continues.

ALEX JAMES, PRIME MINISTER: The Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese is on his way to Eugowra this morning to talk with locals about flood recovery efforts there. The Commonwealth is working with the State Government to fund recovery measures, but with so, much to do, how far will that funding go? The Prime Minister is with us this morning. Prime Minister, thank you very much for joining us on the program today.

ANTHONY ALBANESE, PRIME MINISTER: Good morning, Alex. I'm very much looking forward to being back in the Central West today.

The Albanese Government has entered the single largest defence export agreement in our nation’s history, to supply Australian-made armoured vehicles to Germany.

Under the agreement, more than 100 Boxer Heavy Weapon Carrier vehicles will be built by Rheinmetall at its Military Vehicle Centre of Excellence in Redbank, Queensland and exported for use by the German Army.

Labor’s extension of Paid Parental Leave became law this week – and more than 180,000 Australian families are expected to benefit.

By 2026, every family with a new baby will be able to access a total of six months paid leave, shared between the two parents.

And single parents will be able to access all 26 weeks.

Representing a $1.2 billion investment, it is the biggest boost to PPL since it was first introduced by the former Labor Government in 2011.

The Albanese Labor Government is proud to contribute $3.5 million to support the Lowitja O’Donoghue Foundation to honour the remarkable legacy of the late Yankunytjatjara woman and support the next generation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander nurses and public sector leaders.

The Lowitja O’Donoghue Foundation was established in 2022 with support from the Albanese Government to create pathways for First Nations people to carry forward Dr O’Donoghue’s vision for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians.

Labor’s changes to Paid Parental Leave – expanding the scheme to a full six months – will now be law after the Paid Parental Leave Amendment (More Support for Working Families) Bill 2023 was today passed by the Senate.

That means new parents will be eligible for more Paid Parental Leave from 1 July this year with the passage of this historic legislation.

More than 180,000 families are expected to benefit from the expansion of the scheme each year with expecting parents able to pre-claim from March 26.

In a time of continuing global economic uncertainty, it’s more important than ever for Australia to build our self-reliance and invest in our economic resilience.

That’s what our Government’s vision for a future made in Australia is all about: a stronger, more diversified economy with greater opportunity and security for all.

Realising this vision requires us to seize the unique opportunities and natural advantages that can see Australia lead the world.