Prime Minister Anthony Albanese met with his Tongan counterpart, Prime Minister the Hon Hu’akavameiliku, during the Pacific Island Forum Leaders’ Meeting in Nuku’alofa today. Australia is pleased to be working closely with Tonga, as the new Forum Chair, on the most important issues facing our region.

Australia’s relationship with Tonga is built on our long-standing development, economic and security partnerships. It is underpinned by the rich ties between our people, including a valued 40,000-strong community of Tongan Australians.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has today joined other Pacific leaders to endorse the Pacific Policing Initiative (PPI), a major regional initiative to strengthen collective peace and security throughout the Pacific.

The PPI will boost the capability of Pacific nations to meet law and order and internal security requirements, and to support each other in times of need. The PPI has three pillars:

COLIN RICHARD KEITH LOCKE, DHARUG ELDER: I'm the sixth generation stemming from Yarramundi, who was chief of the Boorooberongal clan at the time of colonisation. He resided in the Richmond area, not far from here. Dharug country stretches from Bondi to Blackheath, Palm Beach to Picton, Colo to Camden, Campbelltown and up the Burragorang Valley. I'd like to warmly welcome you all here today and to pay our respects to the land that we stand upon across this vast continent of Australia.

AMANDA KELLER, HOST: Good morning, Prime Minister.

ANTHONY ALBANESE, PRIME MINISTER:  Good morning. Great to be with you on a beautiful Sydney day.

BRENDAN JONES, HOST: What a beautiful day.

KELLER: It’s gorgeous.

JONES: We're looking out over the Harbour, it's just beautiful. Where would you live? You wouldn't go anywhere else in the world.

Western Sydney International Airport (WSI) has landed its first international airline, with Singapore Airlines confirming its intention to operate from the airport and connect Western Sydney passengers to the world.

This new commercial arrangement allows Singapore Airlines to begin developing its future operations at WSI, helping Australians wing their way to one of the largest transportation hubs in Asia.

With more than 80 per cent of the airport’s construction now complete, WSI is getting closer to take off, welcoming airlines and passengers from late 2026.

MICK MOLLOY, HOST: Prime Minister, you've got some exciting news for the State and, of course, everyone in particular who lives out West.

TIM BLACKWELL, HOST: You know who knows Frangos? I know who knows Frangos. The person on the line, I think's got Frangos.

JOEL CREASEY, HOST: What do you mean?

BLACKWELL: I'm just about to – I've organised someone. Um, Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese, do you know Frangos?

ANTHONY ALBANESE, PRIME MINISTER: I do know Frangos. Who doesn't know Frangos?

BLACKWELL: These two.

RICKI-LEE, HOST: Good afternoon, Prime Minister.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will travel to Tonga from 27 to 29 August 2024 for the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) Leaders’ Meeting.

This will be his third PIF Leaders’ Meeting, and his first visit to Tonga as Prime Minister.

The Pacific Islands Forum is our region’s top multilateral body and the PIF Leaders Meeting is the most important annual meeting of leaders of all PIF member states.

SARAH MACDONALD, HOST: Prime Minister Anthony Albanese joins me now. Good morning, Prime Minister.

ANTHONY ALBANESE, PRIME MINISTER: Good morning. Good to be with you again.

MACDONALD: Good to have you on. It's the day we can disconnect from work. So, who can turn off their phones, stop reading their emails from today after they finish their job?

The Australian Government is pleased to recommend to Her Excellency, the Governor-General, that Abigail Bradshaw CSC be appointed as the new Director-General of the Australian Signals Directorate (ASD), succeeding Rachel Noble PSM.

Subject to approval by the Federal Executive Council, the change will take effect on 6 September 2024.