SUSAN TEMPLEMAN, MEMBER FOR MACQUARIE: I am Susan Templeman, the Federal Member for Macquarie. And it is lovely to have the Premier, the Prime Minister, the State Roads Minister and my Hawkesbury State Member here. And we are not even in the middle of a disaster. It is wonderful to be here to talk about something really positive. And that is continuing to improve the safety of this very key road that runs behind us, the Bells Line of Road. So, I'm delighted that we are able to do something positive for a community that has a lot of heavy trucks that use this road. If I timed that right, we'll get a beautiful shot of it. But also, locals use it and, obviously, people traveling to the Central West for work and for leisure. This area, you can't tell from where we're standing, but only a few metres away from us, you'll see the remnants of the 2019-20 bushfires because this area was devastated by the fires. Just behind us is the Grose Valley. And the fire swept through there, it swept right around the back of us. In the road just behind us, there are still empty blocks where people haven't been able to rebuild the homes that were destroyed. So, this is an area that's done it tough. And I'm delighted that we can give them some good news and something positive for this community, I'd like to hand over to the Prime Minister.
ANTHONY ALBANESE, PRIME MINISTER: Well, thanks very much, Susan. And congratulations on organising the B-Doubles to go both east and west at the very time that this media conference is happening. Because that is a practical demonstration of why this $100 million will make a major difference. This will be good for road safety, it will be good for productivity. Importantly, as well, at times of crisis, this area's been impacted by bushfires, by floods, by natural disasters, when you have this road cut off, what you're doing is cutting off emergency services from being able to get to where they need to as quickly as possible. But just on a day-to-day basis as well, these road improvements will make a major difference for safety. On the way up here, you could just see from anyone who travels along this road, knows that it's windy, knows that it's narrow, knows it needs additional safety improvements. Now, some years ago, half of this figure was put into some road safety improvements. But we need to do more. And this practical measure is an example of where we will work with state and territory governments across the country to make a difference for infrastructure, to make a difference for our economy, and to make a difference, importantly, for people, which is what this is really about. Safer roads are more efficient roads, are more productive roads. And that is what this $100 million will deliver.
DOMINIC PERROTTET, PREMIER OF NEW SOUTH WALES: Thanks, Prime Minister. Well, can I thank the Prime Minister for this announcements today? Because this will make a real difference, not just to the local community but to the entire state. As has been said by the Prime Minister and Susan Templeman, the local Member, this is an area that's been smashed by bushfires and floods. And that has had a real impact on our road network. And part of our economic plan here in New South Wales is to continue to invest in road infrastructure and public transport to make a real difference to people's lives. And this $100 million today will make a real difference. So, I've long said that New South Wales stands on its own two feet when it comes to infrastructure investment. $112 billion dollars over the next four years. But we shouldn't be penalised for that. And I've said that when I was Treasurer. And I very much welcome the Albanese Government's investment in New South Wales today, because we have to keep investing, keep driving our state forward. This road is important for tourists, it's important for residents, and it's important for primary producers. And this will ensure that people can get around quicker, but ultimately, as well, safer. And that's what these changes today will make, this $100 million, whether it's for widening of the roads, overtaking lanes, it will make sure that primary producers can get their produce to market in a safe way, tourists can get around and see the beautiful landmarks of our great state. So, the partnership between the State and Commonwealth Government. As I've said in the past, I've always sat there and advocated for further funding. Today's a great day for our state. It accompanies the significant investments were making in New South Wales to roads and ultimately ensures New South Wales is a safer place. And it's all part of our economic plan to drive New South Wales forward.
NATALIE WARD, NSW MINISTER FOR METROPOLITAN ROADS: Thanks, everybody. Natalie Ward, Minister for Metropolitan Roads. Can I thank the Prime Minister and Premier and local members here? We've all come together to prioritise this road, this vital artery, which we see Bells Line of Road is an important artery across Western Sydney to make sure that we have that connectivity on our transport network. We know that it's been subject to extreme weather. And during that time, not only the bushfires, but the floods have really had an impact on this road. So, it's important to see that we've got these upgrades, safety and emergency upgrades, to improve this connectivity, improve the road and make sure that we're providing the best possible transport network for motorists, families, tradies and truckies, as we've seen, to get across this road. I'm really pleased that we have this investment in addition to New South Wales investment in this area, including the new Richmond Bridge, a $500 million project to ensure that we have flood resilience in the Nepean-Hawkesbury, to ensure that we have these upgrades. We also have our low point program to ensure that we are addressing those low points, in addition to the Hawkesbury-Nepean flood mitigation program. So, really pleasing that we've all come together to recognise, on this stunning day, that not every day here is stunning. When we do have extreme weather, we need to ensure that this road in particular continues that vital artery. Today, we've also announced that in New South Wales, we have our relief program in terms of fines for motorists. We're pleased to encourage safe driving on roads just like this today, so that if you're a good driver, we will reward your good behaviour by ensuring that we can, for low-level safety issues, we can write-off or waive those fines the good behaviour drivers with a three year clear record. That's what this Government's about, cost of living measures, getting motorists across our road and ensuring that we have safe, drivable reliable, efficient roads in New South Wales. Thanks.
PRIME MINISTER: We're happy to take questions.
JOURNALIST: Prime Minister, would you support a cashless gambling system in New South Wales?
PRIME MINISTER: It's a matter for the New South Wales Government to deal with. And I'm sure that it will be dealt with in an appropriate way. Gambling is an issue. But the regulation of gambling is a matter for the states.
JOURNALIST: Are you pleased to see both sides of politics looking into reforms here?
PRIME MINISTER: What I'm pleased to be is to be Prime Minister and responsible for the national Government issues. And I'm sure there'll be a few national Government issues raised here today as well.
JOURNALIST: The army dumping of the Taipan choppers to the Blackhawks, how much cost are we looking at? When will they be ready and why are they needed?
PRIME MINISTER: What we're doing here is making sure that Australia has the best defence assets to defend our nation. As you know, we have established the Defence Strategic Review, being undertaken by Angus Houston and Stephen Smith. It will report in the first quarter. You have a ready seen some decisions announced regarding helicopters and missiles. You will see further updates in coming months about submarines going forward as well. We want to make sure that Australia has every single dollar that goes into the defence, goes into the most effective way possible. And we think that this decision on Blackhawks is a positive one that will make a difference for supporting the defence of our nation.
JOURNALIST: Do you think it is likely Australia will donate more defensive structures to Ukraine as well?
PRIME MINISTER: We are already doing more than any other non-NATO country to support Ukraine. Today, of course, there is the news that our commitment to send 70 ADF personnel to the United Kingdom to train Ukrainian forces in combat will be a substantial contribution by Australia to make. That comes on top of the Bushmasters and other support that we have provided on the ground. I myself visited President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Kyiv mid-last year. And I made that visit to clearly convey to the Government and the people of Ukraine that Australia stands with them in defending their national sovereignty, in defending the international rule of law as well. We are already making a substantial contribution. Of course, we will continue to engage with requests from President Zelenskyy and the Ukrainian Government. Because we understand the struggle is not just about Ukraine and Russia. It is a struggle for the rule of law, for whether sovereign borders should continue to be respected, for whether a bigger nation can just invade a smaller nation without any consequences. Which is why you are seeing the democratic world, whether it be in Europe, or from the United States, or indeed ourselves inviting such substantial support for the people of Ukraine for the struggle.
JOURNALIST: Prime Minister, you have taken the opportunity to stand next to Dominic Perrottet today. (Inaudible).
PRIME MINISTER: No, that will be a matter for the people of New South Wales. And I get on quite well with this bloke. But I want Chris Minns to win the election in March. That should come as no surprise to the Premier. But I will work with governments of all persuasions in the national interest. That is my job. People want to see leaders do their job. I will be campaigning for Chris and the Labor Party in the election. I have done so already. I launched Jo Haylen’s campaign and I expect to be doing other launches as well. If I can be so bold as to give the Premier some advice, get Peter Dutton to stand next to you as much as possible and we will count up how much Peter Dutton is here, supporting New South Wales and we will count up how many times I am with Chris Minns at the end of the campaign.
JOURNALIST: When are Australians going to expect to see the benefits of the $12 gas price cap come through to their bills?
PRIME MINISTER: We will see that benefit flow through. And indeed, we are already seeing some benefit. When you look at what the projected deals are down the track, just our statements that we made at the end of last year, in the months leading up to the announcements of both gas and coal, had an impact of futures when it comes to energy prices, on lowering those prices. I must say that is an example as well where you had the Federal Government working with the New South Wales Government and the Queensland Government to deliver an outcome for consumers and an outcome for households. That's an example of what Australians want from their governments.
JOURNALIST: Do you refute the Opposition’s claims that the price caps aren’t working?
PRIME MINISTER: I accept that the Opposition are opposed to everything and have a solution to nothing. The Opposition were in government for 10 years federally and did nothing about securing our energy supplies. That, in spite of the rhetoric that they spoke about a gas-led recovery, what are the projects began under the former government? In spite of the rhetoric of Barnaby Joyce and others about coal-fired power stations, not a single one got commenced or built or opened during that decade in office, because the market is speaking. And that is why we have worked with New South Wales, Victoria, Tasmania, all state governments, to make a difference in the medium and long-term. What we have here is short-term measures, the price caps gas and coal. But that has not held us back from making those medium and long-term investments. And indeed, New South Wales, we had a joint announcement of almost $8 billion just a short time ago between the Federal and State governments. We will have further announcements with Queensland in the coming period. We had major announcements like the Marinus Link between Tasmania and Victoria. That is what you need to do if you want to increase energy security. Under the previous Government, four gigs left the system and one came in. That's one of the reason why we are so vulnerable for international prices. There is no increase in the production costs of energy in the country. What there has been, because of the exposure of the international price as the result of the Russian envision of Ukraine is a considerable increase in the cost of energy as a direct result of that link being there. Two reasons, Russian invasion of Ukraine, firstly. But secondly also, the fact that we are vulnerable and exposed to international prices, because you haven't had that investment in new energy infrastructure. That is something that every state government is doing, and now the Federal Government is doing as well.
JOURNALIST: From a national perspective, do you think there are too many poker machines in Australia?
PRIME MINISTER: Good try. Next. No, it's a state matter. It's a state matter. You can ask the same question a number of times, it is the same question. I refer to my previous answer.
JOURNALIST: Are there too many poker machines in Australia?
PRIME MINISTER: I refer to my previous answer.
JOURNALIST: To Australia, nationally,
PRIME MINISTER: I refer to my previous answer. That is a matter for state and territory governments to regulate. I have a lot of responsibilities. Climate change, international affairs, our national economy, national transport issues. I'm responsible for that.
JOURNALIST: But you have heard from Transparency Australia, from the National Crime Commission, calls for a national response to poker machines and harm minimisation in gambling. Do you see a role for a national response to harm minimisation?
PRIME MINISTER: States are responsible for regulation in this area.
JOURNALIST: Should that change?
PRIME MINISTER: Well, if you're redesigning Australia, I think I said this at one stage recently, and without wanting to put off the state election, we have a three-tiered system of government in this country. We have it for a reason. And historically, that's the case. And I don't see that changing anytime soon. If you're reinventing Australia, you might have a national government and regional governments, but we don't have that.
JOURNALIST: So, the Federal Government's rolling out any action on problem gambling?
JOURNALIST: The Wesley Mission see this is a moral issue.
PRIME MINISTER: They do. And I'm sure that the state governments will deal with those issues. Problem gambling is a problem. It is a problem. That's been identified by everyone. That's a scourge. I'm someone who has a bet sometimes once a year on the Melbourne Cup. That is it. And that's the extent of my engagement. But the regulation of these issues is a matter for the states and territories and varies across the states and territories.
JOURNALIST: Just on political donations, Prime Minister, Chris Minns, you said that you'll be spending time with him on the campaign. He has committed to banning political donations from the pubs and clubs sector. Do you think that has got legs to go national? And do you think it should go national?
PRIME MINISTER: Well, Chris Minns we'll deal with his issues. We'll deal with those issues nationally, through our organisation, through the ALP organisation. One of the things that we will be doing, something that we have tried to do and stopped for 10 years, is real transparency in donations and donation reform. And you'll see legislation that has been foreshadowed by our Minister, Don Farrell, you'll see that during 2023.
JOURNALIST: Just on Australia Day, Prime Minister, some workers in the public sector have been given the opportunity to work through Australia Day and take another day of their choosing as a public holiday. Would you like to see all workers given that choice in Australia?
PRIME MINISTER: It's a matter between employers and their employees for discussion. I understand that happens in the public service across a range of public holidays, in part due to the nature of the public service. One of the things that happens is public servants work on Christmas Day. They work on all sorts of days when others are able to put their feet up. So, that's a matter for employers and employees to work through.
JOURNALIST: Premier, have you rushed out this policy on waiving fines in order to counter Labor's front foot on this issues?
PREMIER OF NEW SOUTH WALES: No, obviously we've got our plans in place for the next election. And this was something that we had in line. We believe that we should reward those drivers who drive safely on our roads. And we know cost of living is a real pressure point for many families, not just across New South Wales, but across the country. And where we can ease the burden, we will. The Prime Minister spoke about the price cap and questions in relation to that. Well, we support that. We work very closely with the Commonwealth Government. And our Treasurer has continued to work very closely on a package to give more households and small business support for people right across New South Wales and right across the country. Now, when it comes to road safety, it's got two components to it. You've got to put the investments in that we're making today, the road investments that make a real difference and ensure that our roads are safe. But in addition to that, we need people to drive safely on the roads. And the announcement we've had today, if you've got a clear driving record for three years, and you have a minor infringement, we will waver the fine. And we believe that's the fair way of going about it. We do believe in demerit points. We think that they are a deterrent, an important deterrent to make sure that people on the roads follow those rules, because those rules aren't there for the sake of it. They're there to keep people safe. But ultimately, as well, if you have had a clean driving record, if you haven't had an offence for three years, then we'll waive the fine going forward. And I think that's a great policy for motorists across New South Wales.
JOURNALIST: On education, Labor has said today that the teacher vacancies have exploded to several thousands. They are citing internal department data. What do you make of that?
PREMIER OF NEW SOUTH WALES: Well, a couple of things on that. I mean, there are staff shortages right across every industry. I mean, we all know that. And that's not a New South Wales issue. That's a national issue. Whether it's in health, whether it's in infrastructure, whether that's in education, right across the board, in the environment where we've been in, coming out of a pandemic, there are shortages. Now, the data that's been used today is misleading, because it's done at a point in time prior to the recruitment going into the year. So, we are doing everything that we can to drive more teachers in the profession, more healthcare professionals, more support for our infrastructure projects. When I go out to cafes and restaurants, the number one issue that's raised with me is the labour shortages. So, it's an issue that we're all tackling. And it's an issue that all states are working with the Federal Government on. We know that coming out of COVID, there was a significant backlog when it came to immigration. And the Federal Government has allocated resources to clear that backlog. We've also identified those industries in specific states, where we see as there being skill shortages that we can drive. So, it's very simplistic to say that at a point in time, as you approach recruitment, that there is a shortage. We're seeing shortages across the board. We shouldn't play politics with that. We're all working together, all states and territories, to make sure that the workforce numbers right across our state, and where those gaps are, are filled.
JOURNALIST: (Inaudible).
PREMIER OF NEW SOUTH WALES: Well, I mean, a cashless system won't work without a cut. So, that's important. What I've said, very clearly, is that the number one recommendation in the Crime Commission report was that we need to move to cashless gaming in New South Wales. And that's exactly what we're going to do. We cannot be in a situation where people are putting their life savings down pokie machines. We cannot be in a situation where there is proceeds of crime being flushed down pokie machines. We cannot be in a situation where that activity continues in New South Wales. As I've said, we have more pokie machines in New South Wales than anywhere outside of Nevada.
JOURNALIST: (Inaudible).
PREMIER OF NEW SOUTH WALES: Very shortly, we will release that. But I've been very clear on the policy. Very clear on the policy. And the policy is cashless gaming in New South Wales. And it's incredibly important we move that way. These are difficult social issues to address. But you get into politics to address those difficult issues to make a real difference to people's lives. And it's part of our plan to keep New South Wales moving forward. And you've got to look after the most vulnerable people in society. That is crucial. And that's why we're taking this approach.
JOURNALIST: Should there be a national approach?
PREMIER OF NEW SOUTH WALES: I am Premier of New South Wales. My job is to look after our people. My job is to stop crime in New South Wales. In addition to that, my job is to ensure that people are not profiting from other people. And the devastation that occurs in communities across our state as a result of problem gambling, as a result of money laundering, needs to come to an end. And that's what I'm focused on.
JOURNALIST: Premier, just on gas, can you commit to, if you win the next election, that Narrabri will be producing gas in your next term of government if you win?
PREMIER OF NEW SOUTH WALES: Yes. I mean, I've made it very clear and brought that project in as critical infrastructure in New South Wales, We need more gas. And what's a crucial part of that project is a reservation policy for gas. That pipeline, that Narrabri pipeline, is important. And I said very clearly, and I've met with Santos and with the Planning Minister and the Planning Department that I don't want the blame game going on here. I want this project up and running as soon as possible. Prime Minister spoke about short-term, medium and long-term. Narrabri is crucial in the medium and long-term to our energy solutions here in New South Wales. And that is a priority for me.
JOURNALIST: There are much troubles in the inner-city rail fleet. Is there any timetable in place for that to return to service?
PREMIER OF NEW SOUTH WALES: I will take that on notice.
JOURNALIST: The Greens have compiled a new report saying that thousands of hectares of land across New South Wales is tied up in zombie development applications.
PREMIER OF NEW SOUTH WALES: Grants and zombies go well together.
JOURNALIST: Would you support a re-think in terms of these long-term development applications that are impacting particularly coastal areas and would be able to free that land up?
PREMIER OF NEW SOUTH WALES: Well, look, I'm not going to comment on a report I haven't read it. But I'll look at it and take it on its merits.
JOURNALIST: Those long-term development applications and proposals that are across the state that are tying up swathes of land, you don't see that would make sense to just free that up?
PREMIER OF NEW SOUTH WALES: Well, I'll have to look into that issue. And I'll come back to you.
JOURNALIST: (Inaudible). What makes yours any different?
WARD: Well, there's a fundamental difference in the two approaches. Ours prioritises safety. The Labor policy is a sugar-hit. It's an empty carb. It's a lollipop. And the fact is that it doesn't prioritise safety. What it does is allow every driver, whether you're a hazardous driver, or an otherwise good driver, to get your one point back if you sit it out for 12 months. The difference is our policy prioritises safety and says, if you have a clear record for three years and you have a minor infringement, that we will allow you to apply to waive that fine and get a caution instead, but the demerit stays in place. And what that does is recognise that there are otherwise good drivers out there who have a good record, who deserve a little bit of leeway. But encouraging a safe driver. And our expectation is that safe drivers should be rewarded. But it shouldn't just be a demerit point for everybody, no matter what you do, because that just encourages bad behaviour, and encourages bad drivers to get back on the road and do the same thing. So, we've been really clear about ours as a cost of living measure. We know that impact on families and their budgets is important right now. And so, we recognise that, keeping safety at the forefront of everything we do.
JOURNALIST: How does your policy reward good driving behaviour in the future if it is a one-off (inaudible)?
WARD: So, what it will be is from 3 April, they'll be able to apply for a one-off if they have an offence and a clear driving record of three years. That is a minor offence. This distinguishes between those hazardous infringements and the minor infringements. For example, driving in a transit lane, driving in a bus lane. For a p-plater, if their p-plates pulls off the back temporarily, those are the things that we say are in that category. And we're rewarding those drivers by the good record, saying that we recognise the minor infringements, and we'll waive the fine on that. But the infringement, the demerit, still stays on your record. So, we're keeping safety first.
JOURNALIST: (Inaudible). You said yesterday that there's no such thing as low-level safe speeding. Is that a u-turn?
WARD: There is no such thing as safe speeding, and that's absolutely clear. Speeding is the biggest killer on our roads. So, if you don't want to get a fine, don't speed. Now, that's the priority is do not speed. What we recognise is that some low-level offences for drivers who have been otherwise good can be recognised as so long as they have that three year good driving record. We want to encourage improvements in driver safety. Thanks very much.