DANICA DE GIORGIO, HOST: Prime Minister, thank you so much for joining us. You've been in Far north Queensland today, which was of course ravaged by floods over the last few weeks. Have you got an update on the recovery efforts?
ANTHONY ALBANESE, PRIME MINISTER: I do indeed, Danica. The recovery effort is going extraordinarily well under difficult circumstances. We know that communities were devastated and today we travelled from Cairns up to Port Douglas where myself and Steven Miles met with the Mayor and we travelled together then by chopper up to Wujal Wujal along the coast, seeing the devastation that's occurred to the Captain Cook Highway, seeing the devastation that's occurred to some of those smaller communities like Cape Tribulation around the Daintree, and to Wujal Wujal, where we were able to land and talk to community leaders there. Kylie there has done an amazing job, the CEO of the Wujal Wujal community, she's very keen to get people back there into their local community. And today we've announced additional support from the Australian Defence Force, additional personnel, equipment, but also temporary accommodation to make sure that the cleanup can occur as soon as possible. This comes on top of an earlier visit today to the Gold Coast where we announced funding between the Gold Coast and South East Queensland and Far North Queensland, an additional $50 million between ourselves and the Queensland Government announced by myself and Steven Miles, the Premier, to deal with an additional $20 million for the recovery effort. Additional funding for the three councils that are directly affected there, Gold Coast, Scenic Rim and Logan. Additional funding as well across a range of the community supports that are necessary. There are, of course primary producers grants of up to $75,000, $50,000 grants up to for small businesses and not for profits, in addition to the individual payments, which just in Far North Queensland alone have added up to some $27 million has already been paid out. There's been an extraordinary job done by government Services Australia to very efficiently roll out those payments to people in need. Some 48,000 payments have been finalised in this community here in Far North Queensland.
DE GIORGIO: Have you got an update on the flooding situation in Victoria?
PRIME MINISTER: Well, the flooding situation in Victoria remains one of concern, in central Victoria in particular. We know that communities like Rochester were impacted just a couple of years ago and the rising rivers that we see affecting there and Seymour are of great concern. There are communities that have been evacuated. Our government services centre in Seymour, for example, has had to see its personnel leave. I'll be visiting Victoria tomorrow afternoon with the Premier, Jacinta Allan, visiting the Emergency Response Centre, their headquarters again doing what we can, making sure that that support is available on the ground. It is unfortunate that we're only a few days into 2024 and we have seen over the Christmas and New Year period, natural disasters and flooding in Western Australia, in Queensland, both the Far North and South East Queensland, and also in Victoria. So, our personnel, I just give a shout out to all the emergency services personnel, to the magnificent men and women of the SES, to our people at the National Emergency Management Agency, led so capably by Brendan Moon and the extraordinary work that has been done as well by volunteers. Volunteers are making an enormous difference in communities like this. And it's remarkable that today, when I was in the Gold Coast, I met people who I met just two weeks ago who were providing support here in Far North Queensland. Australians at the worst of times show the best of the Australian character. And that is what we are seeing played out over the coming days and weeks.
DE GIORGIO: Let's move on. Prime Minister, I want to ask you about cost of living. We know that grocery prices are one of the biggest pressures on families. Both Coles and Woolworths made a billion dollars in profit last year each. They're winning from inflation, but it's farmers and customers who are losing out. Are the major supermarkets operating fairly?
PRIME MINISTER: Well what we're seeing from many of the price rises is that they're not in tune with the incoming costs. Our farmers are providing produce at cheaper levels, but that isn't being passed on to consumers and it's not good enough. And that's why the Government is taking action. We have, of course, a Senate inquiry, but we've also undertaken to take further action, including through the ACCC. And we'll have further things to say about that in coming days. But we need to make sure that people are treated fairly and they get a fair go. It's not acceptable to see record profits at a time when people are doing it so tough.
DE GIORGIO: All right, will there be cost of living relief for Australians in the upcoming Budget?
PRIME MINISTER: We'll always look at doing what we can right across the spectrum. And I've said that we continue to get advice from Finance and Treasury about what we can do to address cost of living pressures while still making sure that we put that downward pressure on inflation. Putting downward pressure on inflation is so critical because we know that inflation doesn't impact everyone equally, it impacts those people who have least capacity to pay. And that's why it's an absolute priority of the Government and that's why all of the measures as well, that we undertake, just like the measures we've taken up to now will be ones aimed at serving that dual purpose, helping families whilst also putting downward pressure on inflation.
DE GIORGIO: Just finally, Prime Minister, Taiwan's presidential election on Saturday could have great geopolitical ramifications depending on the result amid tensions with Beijing as it continues to argue for reunification. How important is it for regional peace that Beijing does respect the outcome of the election?
PRIME MINISTER: Well, it's important that democratic elections take place and there are more taking place with people voting this year than in any previous year in human history. That's a good thing. And one of those elections is in Taiwan. It is important that everyone respect the outcome of democratic elections. That's a matter for the people of Taiwan and that is certainly the Australian Government's position will be to respect any outcome, and that should be the decision of every government because we need to respect these democratic processes.
DE GIORGIO: Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, thank you for your time.
PRIME MINISTER: Thanks very much Danica.