SITIVENI RABUKA, PRIME MINISTER OF THE REPUBLIC OF FIJI: Well, we've had a great morning, Prime Minister Albanese and I, and it has been my honour to warmly welcome again to Fiji my colleague and friend Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. Prime Minister of Australia, welcome back to the Pacific. I believe you are now beginning to feel that it is really your Pacific home. Today represents a very defining moment in our relationship - Fiji-Australia relationship.
Thank you, Minister Tuisawau for hosting me here today.
It’s a great pleasure to be here in Fiji to officially launch Australia’s new regional skills program in Fiji – Pacific Australia Skills – and to open the refurbished Vuvale Union Skills Hub.
These facilities are an example of the great things that can happen when Australia and Fiji work together.
The best investment any nation can make is in its people.
That is why investment in education and skills are a foundational part of the Vuvale Union that Prime Minister Rabuka and I signed this morning.
Prime Minister Albanese and Prime Minister of Fiji, Sitiveni Rabuka, signed two historic treaties in Suva today – the Vuvale Union and Ocean of Peace Alliance.
These treaties represent one of the most significant endeavours Australia has undertaken with any country. They will transform Australia and Fiji’s relationship, underpinning the region’s prosperity, security and resilience for generations to come.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will welcome the Prime Minister of the Republic of India, His Excellency Shri Narendra Modi, to Australia from 8 to 10 July 2026.
The leaders will meet in Melbourne for the Australia–India Annual Leaders’ Summit.
As the world’s fourth largest and fastest growing economy, India is a critical economic partner for Australia.
Our relationship is underpinned by our Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and supported by deep economic and cultural connections.
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 the Premier of New South Wales, Chris Minns and state parliamentary colleagues.
Minister for Climate Change and Energy, Chris Bowen.
His Excellency Mirna Khawly, Ambassador of Lebanon.
And I thank Vitex Executive Chairman Dr Elie Chami and his son, CEO Dr Aniss Chami, for welcoming us so warmly today.
It is a pleasure to be with you to celebrate both the legacy and the future vision of Vitex.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will travel to Suva, Fiji and Honiara, Solomon Islands from 5 to 7 July 2026 to reaffirm Australia’s enduring commitment to the Pacific and regional security.
The Prime Minister will be joined on the visit to Fiji and Solomon Islands by Australia’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Penny Wong.
In Suva, Prime Minister Albanese will meet Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka of Fiji to discuss deepening the Fiji–Australia Vuvale Partnership and greater cooperation.
CHRISTOPHER BROWN, CHAIR OF WESTERN SYDNEY LEADERSHIP DIALOGUE: Hey, boss.
ANTHONY ALBANESE, PRIME MINISTER: Good to be here.
CRAIG REUCASSEL, HOST: The Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is about to be in Western Sydney today speaking at the Airport City Summit. He joins us this morning. Morning, Prime Minister.
ANTHONY ALBANESE, PRIME MINISTER: Good morning. Good to be with you.
CRAIG REUCASSEL: You've been pushing for a second airport in Sydney for about a quarter of a century.
PRIME MINISTER: A bit longer actually, it was in my first speech in 1996.
CRAIG REUCASSEL: 1996?
JAMES GLENDAY: Now we are going to bring in the Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese, who joins us from the beating heart of the nation - Canberra. Prime Minister, welcome back to our show.
ANTHONY ALBANESE, PRIME MINISTER: Good morning, James. Glad to be with you.
GLENDAY: Now, I think we asked you pretty much the same question last week about home value, so I'm going to ask it again. Is this what you wanted to see? Some really big declines to help more people into the market?
The Albanese Labor Government is delivering real change for Australians, with a suite of cost-of-living measures starting on 1 July 2026, including more tax cuts, a full six months of Paid Parental leave, strengthening Medicare and more hospital funding.
Starting 1 July 2026, the Albanese Labor Government is: