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 gives me great pleasure to be back in Townsville for this significant event.
I’ve been to every single Bush Summit since the first one in Dubbo in 2019.
It is a catalyst for an important conversation, and I thank News Corp for its commitment to keeping it going.
It’s a conversation about the challenges of the present.
In a major boost for the region the Prime Minister today announced the Albanese Labor Government will save the Great Barrier Reef Aquarium “Reef HQ” with an extra $100 million investment after the Liberals left it underfunded and doomed to fail.
The project is expected to create more than one thousand jobs and give an enormous economic boost to Townsville.
Australia is one step closer to establishing a Net Zero Economy Authority to ensure the workers and communities who have powered Australia for generations can seize the opportunities of the country's net zero transformation, with legislation passing the Senate today.
The global transformation to a net zero economy is a massive opportunity for Australia, its regions, industries, and workers.
The Albanese Labor Government is continuing to deliver on its commitment to provide greater support to Australian families by introducing legislation today which will pay superannuation on Government-funded Paid Parental Leave.
The introduction of the Paid Parental Leave Amendment (Adding Superannuation for a More Secure Retirement) Bill 2024 in the House of Representatives builds upon recent reforms which have made Paid Parental Leave more flexible, accessible, gender equitable, and which increase the length of the scheme.
It’s an honour to be here among so many incredible leaders, and so many incredible women.
Tonight we honour the extraordinary achievements of rural Australia's women leaders.
This is a night to recognise excellence — and to celebrate resilience.
A lot is asked of rural and regional communities like yours.
We ask you to grapple with geography in a way most Australians will never have to.
But in facing these challenges — the volatility of the weather, the tyranny of distance — you show us what you’re made of.
You show us how you work together.
ANTHONY ALBANESE, PRIME MINISTER OF AUSTRALIA: Along with the Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister, Richard Marles, I am very pleased to welcome Indonesia's Defence Minister and importantly, the President-elect of Indonesia, Prabowo Subianto to Australia. I look forward to working closely with you, President-elect Prabowo, to attending your inauguration in October. There is no more important relationship than the relationship between our two great nations.
ANTHONY ALBANESE, PRIME MINISTER OF AUSTRALIA: Well, Your Excellency, President-elect, welcome. Welcome to the Cabinet Room in the Australian Parliament to meet with all of my senior Ministers here. Once again, you are no stranger to our great country, and I have not been a stranger to your great country. I look forward to attending your inauguration in a short period of time which will be a great occasion to cement once again the friendship between our two nations. Our partnership is profoundly important for Australia.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence Richard Marles, will welcome Indonesian Defence Minister and President-elect Prabowo Subianto to Australia from 19 to 20 August 2024.
This is President-elect Prabowo’s first visit to Australia since Indonesia’s general election in February 2024.
SABRA LANE, HOST: The Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese joins us now. Good morning, Prime Minister.
ANTHONY ALBANESE, PRIME MINISTER: Good morning, Sabra. Good to be with you.
SALLY SITOU, MEMBER FOR REID: It’s great to be here at one of the best Italian festivals in all of Australia. And it's great to have Anthony Albanese, the first Prime Minister to come to Ferragosto here today, and I welcome him.