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

And thank you to Country Mayors Association of NSW Chairman, Mayor Rick Firman OAM, for that warm welcome.

All of you here tonight represent two important truths.

Firstly, that local government plays a vital role in the life of our nation.

And secondly, the fact that Australia has always been so much bigger than our big cities.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will travel to Palau from 31 August to 3 September 2026 for the 55th Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) Leaders’ Meeting.

This will be the Prime Minister’s first official visit to Palau and his fifth PIF Leaders’ Meeting.

The PIF is the Pacific’s premier political institution, and Australia is a founding member. Pacific Leaders will discuss the most critical issues impacting the region under the theme “Building Economies: Life. Action. Unity”.

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.