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.

Before we begin, I want us to take a moment to reflect on the tragedy in Nepal that has resulted in such devastation and loss of life – potentially including many Australians still among the missing.
 
Our thoughts and prayers are with their families and friends, with the people of Nepal, and with the citizens of every country caught up in this calamity.
 
Our hope is that many of those missing are found alive.
 

I have proudly attended Bush Summit every year, starting with the very first one in Dubbo in 2019. It was a great idea by The Daily Telegraph that became a catalyst for an important conversation about regional Australia.

Australia is so much bigger than our big cities. In all their diversity – in environment, character, history and people – the regions give Australia so much of our sense of identity, potential and strength.

Consider the growth of Australian agriculture – up by more than $42 billion in just eight years – and all its flow-on effects.

BEN ENGLISH, HOST: Look, you're one of the OGs and so thanks for coming. You've been to every single Bush Summit, and it means a lot to us. But I think off the top we really do need to go further afield. There's obviously an unfolding calamity in Nepal. What can you tell us?

ANTHONY ALBANESE, PRIME MINISTER: Thanks very much for joining us. Today's National Cabinet has met to discuss some of the big issues which face our nation. We've had a positive and constructive meeting, and we've agreed the following, which is all included in the communiqué that has been distributed or will be distributed.

National Cabinet met in Sydney today to discuss a range of priorities affecting Australians, including Australia’s new artificial intelligence laws, progressing policies to end gender-based violence, firearm reform following the horrific antisemitic terrorist attack at Bondi, avian flu transferring to mammals, and fuel security in light of the ongoing serious conflict in the Middle East.

Thank you so much, Geoff, and thank you, Bran as well for what I thought was a really constructive, thoughtful opening to this evening’s events. I begin by also acknowledging the traditional owners and I thank Yvonne Weldon for the welcome to country. I want to thank everyone here for hosting us for what is my fifth address to the BCA and to acknowledge all of my state and federal parliamentary colleagues who are here this evening, in particular all my ministerial colleagues, but also the members of the diplomatic corps, senior public servants, but members of the BCA as well.

MARK GIBSON, HOST: Prime Minister, welcome. Welcome back to the ABC Breakfast studio.

ANTHONY ALBANESE, PRIME MINISTER: Wonderful to be here in Perth. It's a lot warmer than Canberra, having listened to that weather report there.

GIBSON: No change to the 75-cent floor, no change to WA’s share.

ANTHONY ALBANESE, PRIME MINISTER: Well, thanks everyone for joining us. This is the seventh Cabinet meeting that we have had in Western Australia, not just in Perth, of course, but one of those was held in Port Hedland. It's my 45th visit to Western Australia as Prime Minister, something I have exceeded the commitment that I made prior to the 2022 election.

One of the national collection’s most iconic and cherished paintings, Blue poles, will travel across the country thanks to the Albanese Labor Government’s Sharing the National Collection program.

The work, which has never been seen in Western Australia, will go on display at the Art Gallery of Western Australia in Perth from April to September 2027. 

Valued in 2023 at $500 million, Blue poles by American Abstract Expressionist artist, Jackson Pollock was purchased by the Australian Government in 1973. 

ANTHONY ALBANESE, PRIME MINISTER: It's fantastic to be back in Western Australia for my 45th visit as Prime Minister. And we're regularly here because WA is the engine room of the Australian economy, and importantly as well is playing such an absolutely critical role in AUKUS. I had a long conversation with President Trump just a week ago where I spoke about the work that's happening here in Western Australia and spoke about how AUKUS is, in both of our work, full steam ahead. So important.