TOM STEINFORT: Welcome back to today at 8am, after months of debate, Labor's highly contentious tax package has officially passed Parliament.
SARAH ABO: For more, we are joined by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in Canberra. PM Good morning to you. Good to see you.
ANTHONY ALBANESE, PRIME MINISTER: Good morning. Great to be with you.
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.
I’d also like to acknowledge Australian Local Government Association President, Mayor Matt Burnett and ALGA Board and Vice Presidents, Councillor Darriea Turley and Mayor Stuart James.
As well as councillors, mayors, shire presidents, delegates and distinguished guests, including guests from remote and Indigenous councils. I know that for some of you it’s been a long journey coming here and I thank you for it.
JAMES GLENDAY, HOST: I'm happy to say we are joined now by the Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese, who is of course in Canberra. Prime Minister, welcome back to our program.
ANTHONY ALBANESE, PRIME MINISTER: G'day, James. Good to be with you.
CHARLES CROUCHER: Thank you, Prime Minister. Thank you, everyone, for being here. My name's Charles with the Nine Network. It's lovely to be here and we're going to try and as much as possible get to your questions. So, if you have one from the floor, whack your hand up. Otherwise, use the QR codes you have on the table. If you'd like to double the chances, whack your hand up and use the QR code. And that's the best way to do it. While that's happening, I'm going to start. Prime Minister - big day today.
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.
Every year, CEDA’s State of the Nation Conference invites all of us caught up in the busy rush of a Parliamentary sitting week, to take a breath.
To zoom out from the day to day, hour by hour, minute by minute political contest, and look to the long term.
CEDA frames its work around the Australia of 2050.
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 acknowledge members and senators here this evening.
And members of the diplomatic corps.
I extend my thanks to Embassy staff, and I particularly want to acknowledge Chargée d’Affaires, Erika Olson.
Erika has led the American mission in Australia with distinction, and on behalf of the Australian Government I wish her the very best for the future.
In one week, the Albanese Labor Government will deliver a major expansion of Paid Parental Leave, helping new parents spend more time at home with their newest family member.
From 1 July eligible families will be able to access up to 26 weeks of Paid Parental Leave, backed by the Government.
Thanks to Labor’s changes, families accessing the full entitlement will receive almost $30,000 across their Paid Parental Leave.
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.
I also acknowledge Her Excellency the Governor-General, Sam Mostyn; Australian Defence Force leaders; Australian War Memorial Chair Kim Beazley; Australian War Memorial Director Matt Anderson; and my colleagues from across the Parliament.
I extend my respects to all serving Defence members and all veterans here today. You honour us with your presence.
Each year, we begin the Parliamentary year with the Last Post ceremony.
ANTHONY ALBANESE, PRIME MINISTER: Thank you so much for joining us. Our tax reforms will make it easier for Australians to buy their first home and they'll cut taxes for every Australian worker. Our tax reforms give support to small business. And we will amend our legislation to give every active small business generous capital gains tax concessions. Our tax reforms will give better alignment for income earned from work with income earned from assets and wealth. Most Australians have nothing to sell but their time. Nothing to give but their hard work.
The Albanese Government is another step closer to delivering its tax reforms for workers, home buyers, and businesses.
These reforms will make it easier for Australians to buy their first home, cut taxes for over 13 million workers, and better align the tax treatment of labour and asset income.
Today the Greens have confirmed they will support passage of the first tranche of tax reform legislation.
It is now a question for the rest of the Parliament whether they will get on board with tax cuts for workers and a fairer tax system for first home buyers.