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 also want to acknowledge today the fact that it is Vietnam Veterans’ Day, a really important day in our calendar.

And I acknowledge the presence and pay my respects to all of the veterans who might be with us here this evening.

The Prime Minister of Australia, the Honourable Anthony Albanese MP, and the Prime Minister of Thailand, His Excellency Mr Anutin Charnvirakul, reaffirmed their commitment to deepen economic engagement, pursuant to our Australia-Thailand Strategic Partnership.

The Prime Minister of Australia, the Honourable Anthony Albanese MP, and the Prime Minister of Thailand, His Excellency Mr Anutin Charnvirakul, reaffirmed the longstanding and close ties between Australia and Thailand as reflected in the Australia-Thailand Strategic Partnership.

Leaders reiterated their shared commitment to a peaceful, stable, and prosperous Indo-Pacific and agreed to deepen cooperation to address the evolving threat of transnational crime.

Buongiorno and happy Ferragosto.

This is a fantastic celebration.

Of course, today I want to pay tribute and begin by thanking as well the faith leaders, including His Grace, Bishop Umbers, for the procession.

Because today is, of course, in acknowledgement of the feast, celebrating the Assumption into Ascension into Heaven of the Virgin Mary.

ANTHONY ALBANESE, PRIME MINISTER: Good morning. Can I begin by passing on the thoughts of the Australian government to our close friends and partners in Indonesia, and all those who've been affected by the very significant earthquake that struck there yesterday morning. I extend our deepest condolences to the families and loved ones of those who have lost their lives. Australian officials in Indonesia continue to make inquiries with Indonesian authorities to determine whether any Australians have been impacted.

The Albanese Government and Minns Government have reached an agreement to deliver a NSW Gun Buyback Scheme to reduce the number of firearms and make communities safer.

New South Wales will be the first state to commence the Commonwealth Government’s National Gun Buyback Scheme, with both governments agreeing to share the costs of the buyback 50:50.

Following the deadly antisemitic terrorist attack at Bondi Beach on 14 December 2025, National Cabinet stood in solidarity and agreed to action to eradicate antisemitism and to strengthen gun laws across the nation. 

Prime Minister Albanese will welcome the Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Thailand, HE Mr Anutin Charnvirakul, to Australia from 17 to 20 August 2026.

Australia and Thailand share substantial trade and investment links. Thailand is Australia’s fourth largest trading partner in Southeast Asia and our 11th largest trading partner overall.

The Prime Ministers will meet in Canberra on Wednesday 19 August to discuss deepening economic cooperation under the Australia-Thailand Strategic Partnership.

Five years on from the fall of Kabul our thoughts are with the people of Afghanistan, who continue to face violent repression at the hands of the Taliban, as well the Afghan community in Australia and around the world.

We acknowledge the brave contribution and sacrifices made by more than 39,000 Australian Defence Force and civilian personnel who conducted or supported operations in Afghanistan over 20 years.

ANTHONY ALBANESE, PRIME MINISTER: It's great to be here in Castle Hill with Minister for Energy and Climate Change Chris Bowen, with a fellow who's known to everyone, Ian Thorpe, a legendary Australian and a brand ambassador for Fox, who are a battery company, with Dave McElrea from the Smart Energy Council, and our host Kunal Kapoor from RKS Energy Solutions.

KIERAN GILBERT, HOST: Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, thanks for your time.

ANTHONY ALBANESE, PRIME MINISTER: Good to be with you.

GILBERT: Congratulations. It's quite a milestone. You've passed Paul Keating now, and you're the fourth longest-serving Labor Prime Minister in this nation's history. How do you reflect on that milestone?