HOST: A great initiative from the Australian Federal Government announced yesterday and that is that the Albanese Government is backing the Rugby League World Cup to the tune of the $12.4 million investment. I'm happy to say that the 31st Prime Minister of Australia, Anthony Albanese is on the line. Good morning, Prime Minister.

ANTHONY ALBANESE, PRIME MINISTER: Good morning. Happy Origin Day.

Australia will once again take centre stage for world sport when the 2026 Rugby League World Cup (RLWC) kicks off in Sydney this October.

The Albanese Government is backing the tournament with a $12.4 million investment to support the successful planning, logistics and delivery of the event across nine host cities in Australia, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea.

The investment includes a strong focus on supporting the women’s competition, as women’s rugby league continues to go from strength to strength.

With the passing of Neale Daniher, we all grieve for a great Australian.

On behalf of the Government and the people of Australia, I offer our heartfelt condolences to the Daniher family: his wife Jan; children Bec, Ben, Lauren and Luke; and his many grandchildren and wider family, who did so much to support the man they loved so deeply.

In 2013, after a decorated VFL/AFL career as a player and then coach, Neale Daniher was diagnosed with motor neurone disease.

At that point, the average life expectancy was just 27 months.

ANTHONY ALBANESE, PRIME MINISTER: Good morning. This morning, I convened National Cabinet for an important update on Australia's fuel security. This is the fifth time that National Cabinet has met since the conflict in the Middle East began on February 28. We know, as I've said before, while the conflict is a long way from home, we are not immune to its impacts. And the longer the conflict goes on, the more enduring the impact will be, the economic tail. We are very hopeful that the positive signs of a de-escalation and peace in the region will lead to a conclusion.

FIONA PHILLIPS, MEMBER FOR GILMORE: The official opening here of the Jervis Bay flyover is just the most magnificent thing I think we can think of. It is extraordinary. I think around five years ago I stood at the intersection there of the Princes Highway and Jervis Bay Road with Anthony Albanese, and to see this here today is just phenomenal. I want to thank Liza Butler, the state member for the South Coast, Katelin McInerney, our wonderful member for Kiama and of course having the Prime Minister here today is just fabulous.

ANDREW LANCASTER, ST GEORGE ILLAWARRA CEO: Good morning, and welcome to the Bruce Gordon Centre, the newly launched Bruce Gordon Centre. It’s great to be here today, and it's great to have the Dragons, the St. George Illawarra Dragons finally pulled together under one roof. One club, one very strong club under one roof, for the first time in our club's history. Nice to have the ability here today to celebrate the heritage and the history of St George and the Illawarra rugby league region and bring them all together under the Bruce Gordon Centre.

Well, thanks very much, Robbo. I'm very pleased and honoured to be here, and I acknowledge all the special guests who are here, but particularly the family of Ruth Kenny, who are here.

Thank you, Andrew Lancaster, for your passion. 

You pitched up pretty hard for this project to receive federal funding and it's worth every dollar of it, because this is an investment in this region, as well as this club. 

The $164 million upgrade of the Jervis Bay Road intersection is one step closer to completion, with the new flyover bridge set to open to traffic from Monday, 1 June.

Motorists travelling southbound will be the first to use the new bridge, with motorists travelling northbound to follow shortly afterwards.

The full project was originally forecast to open to traffic in late 2027, but thanks to the efforts of 110 workers who have contributed a combined 472,000 hours, it is now set to open almost a year ahead of schedule, in early 2027.

The St George Illawarra Dragons Community and High Performance Centre is now open, thanks to joint funding between the federal and state governments and the St George Illawarra Dragons.

The new $65 million centre in Wollongong brings elite training, community programs and new opportunities for women and girls under one roof.

RYAN FITZGERALD, HOST: Well, it's nearly been four years, almost to the day that our Prime Minister has been government and we're lucky enough to have him today. Anthony Albanese, welcome to the show, buddy.

ANTHONY ALBANESE, PRIME MINISTER: Good to be with you. This time four years ago, I was preparing in the afternoon handing out in my electorate, waiting for what became a very big night.

MICHAEL WIPFLI, HOST: Well, it did, didn't it? My God.