I begin by acknowledging the traditional owners of the land on which we meet, and pay my respects to Elders past, present and emerging.

I acknowledge Her Excellency Hilda Heine, President of the Republic of Marshall Islands;

I also acknowledge my colleagues from across the parliament;

Admiral David Johnston, Chief of the Defence Force, and senior officers from across the services;

The Honourable Peter Tinley, National President of the RSL;

Alison Frame, Secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs;

ANTHONY ALBANESE, PRIME MINISTER: Welcome back. Of course, we came back early to deal with the immediate consequences of December 14, the antisemitic terrorist attack. And we got the legislation through, not in the form that we originally proposed, because some of it was unable to receive support of people who had called for the precise measures that we introduced into the Parliament. But the legislation on guns and hate speech that we were able to carry through the Parliament was a significant advance.

ANTHONY ALBANESE, PRIME MINISTER: Australians right across the country are facing extreme and dangerous conditions, with bushfires burning in multiple states, and of course, the dangers arising from severe wet weather to our north, particularly the north-east.

As I've often said, though, at the worst of times, we're seeing once again, the best of the Australian character, and it's been good to be here at the centre to say thank you to the workers who are really protecting their fellow Victorians and fellow Australians.

JOHN, HOMEOWNER: My name is John, I recently moved into this house with my family in December - a wonderful Christmas present. But the only reason it's possible is because of one of the programs we had to help support us, the affordability of land, as well as first home owners, and a range of other programs that let us live our dream home. Without those, we would not be standing at our house today. So we're really grateful. And I think our family is too to finally have our own home. It's something I never thought I'd achieve, to be honest. And yet here we are.

The Albanese and Malinauskas Labor Governments have struck a deal to unlock 17,000 new homes for South Australians, including nearly 7,000 for first home buyers.

Both Labor Governments are determined to build more homes and help first home buyers achieve their dream of owning a home.

The $801.5 million deal announced today is a major milestone in the delivery of the Albanese Government’s 2025 election commitment to help build 100,000 homes for first home buyers, in partnership with state governments and industry.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will welcome Their Majesties, The King and Queen of Denmark, to Australia from 14 to 19 March.

During their six-day visit, Their Majesties will visit the Northern Territory, the Australian Capital Territory, Victoria and Tasmania, for a number of business and cultural engagements.

This will be Their Majesties’ fourth official visit to Australia, and their first since His Majesty The King’s ascension to the Danish throne.

The Albanese and Allan Governments continue to stand with communities affected by the devastating January 2026 Victorian bushfires, announcing $160 million in additional support to help families, businesses and primary producers.

Up to $158 million is funded by both Governments under joint Commonwealth‑State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA), while the Allan Government is investing an extra $2 million for schools within fire-affected areas to engage additional mental health services.

ANTHONY ALBANESE, PRIME MINISTER: Good afternoon. National Cabinet has met in Sydney this morning, and we've reached a landmark agreement to deliver record funding to state and territory hospitals, but also secure the future of the National Disability Insurance Scheme. This agreement represents one of the most significant national reforms in living memory. These reforms will ensure that Australians can continue to access world class healthcare, as well as disability supports.

National Cabinet met in Sydney today and reached a landmark agreement to deliver record funding to state and territory hospitals and secure the future of the NDIS.  

These reforms will ensure Australians can continue to access world class health care and disability supports.

It prioritises investment in our precious public health system and builds on the Commonwealth’s measures to strengthen Medicare.

MATT SMITH, MEMBER FOR LEICHHARDT: My name is Matt Smith and I'm the Federal Member for Leichhardt, and I'm here, quite obviously, with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Senator Nita Green. It's great for the Prime Minister to be joining us here today, and thank you for stopping in, obviously on the back of a hugely successful trip to Timor-Lese, and with the Pukpuk Treaty as well, he's showing that the world is really starting to pay attention to our region.