ANTHONY ALBANESE, PRIME MINISTER: Today's breakthrough represents major progress for Western Sydney. This project will transform the way Sydney operates.  For too long, everything has looked towards the CBD and towards the centre. What this airport will do with the Aerotropolis is make sure that Sydney doesn't just look in, it looks out. It looks out to the western suburbs of Sydney, where jobs have been created through this project. But importantly, this will be a considerable boost to the productivity, livability and sustainability of Sydney.

Sydney Metro to Western Sydney Airport is one step closer, with tunnel boring machines (TBMs) Catherine, Eileen and Peggy having completed their historic journeys today.

This project will become the transport spine of Western Sydney, connecting the Western Sydney Airport and Aerotropolis at Bradfield to the wider Sydney rail network at St Marys.

With boring near complete, the project will enter its next stage – the construction of six world-class stations along the 23-kilometre track.

THOMAS ORITI, HOST: The Opposition Leader, Peter Dutton, says he won't commit to a climate change target for 2030, saying people want politicians to focus on the cost of living. The Prime Minister says he doesn't think Australians want another election fought on climate change and that they'd elected him to get on with the job. And the Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese, joins us on ABC News Radio now. Prime Minister, good morning. Thanks for your time.

ANTHONY ALBANESE, PRIME MINISTER: Good morning. Thanks for having me back on the program.

From our first day in office, our Government has made it a priority to invest in Australia’s capabilities and invest in our relationships: our national defence and our international diplomacy.

We are strengthening both because we know a peaceful and stable Indo-Pacific is essential to the security and prosperity of every Australian.

As part of this important work, next week Australia will be hosting an official visit from Premier Li Qiang of China.

ANTHONY ALBANESE, PRIME MINISTER: Good afternoon. The Premier of the People's Republic of China, Li Qiang, will visit Australia as a Guest of Government from Saturday the 15th of June to Tuesday the 18th of June. This will be the first visit to Australia by a Chinese Premier since 2017 and represents another important step in stabilising our relationship with China. The Premier and I will hold the Annual Leaders' Meeting here at Parliament House in Canberra.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will welcome the Premier of the People’s Republic of China, Li Qiang, to Australia as a Guest of Government from Saturday 15 June to Tuesday 18 June 2024.

This will be the first visit to Australia by a Chinese Premier since 2017.

Prime Minister Albanese and Premier Li will hold the Annual Leaders’ Meeting at Parliament House in Canberra, where they will exchange views on bilateral, regional and international issues.

ANTHONY ALBANESE, PRIME MINISTER: Good morning. Happy King's Birthday weekend everyone. The first time I spoke from here in the Prime Minister's Courtyard was when we legislated Australia's 2030 target, creating certainty for business, certainty for investment, certainty for jobs. Peter Dutton is walking away from climate action. His decision to abandon the 2030 target means him walking away from the Paris Accord.

ANDREW CLENNELL, HOST: Well, Prime Minister, thanks for attending this event once again. A passionate and optimistic speech. Now, my first question is, to coin a former PM's phrase, are we in the per capita recession we had to have?

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.

I’m grateful for the invitation to address this second annual forum on Australia’s Economic Outlook.

Ahead of today, I looked back to the economic challenges we spoke about this time last year:

The aftershocks of the pandemic and the impact on inflation and supply chains.

The continuing devastation of conflict in Ukraine - and now the Middle East as well.

I am pleased to announce the Governor-General has accepted my recommendation to reappoint Dr Steven Kennedy PSM as Secretary of the Department of the Treasury.

Dr Kennedy is one of the country’s most experienced public servants and his diligence and dedication represents the best traditions of the Treasury.

Having served for more than 30 years in the public service, Dr Kennedy’s extensive experience and outstanding leadership will be an ongoing asset for the department and the Government, as we continue to implement our economic reform agenda.