The Albanese Federal Government and Rockliff State Government will work together to redevelop and transform Tasmania’s Dowsing Point to provide more housing, open space and community infrastructure.

The 31-hectare site, which currently houses the Derwent Barracks, has been identified for divestment as part of the Australian Government’s response to the independent Defence Estate Audit.

The Albanese and Rockliff Governments are committed to the redevelopment of the site, recognising its potential to deliver significant new housing supply in the greater Hobart region.

The Albanese Government is celebrating 40 years of the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute (MCRI) and investing in more life-changing research, through the establishment of the Distinguished Fellow for Prevention and Early Intervention in Child Health.

The Government is committing $5 million to establish the Distinguished Fellow position. The funding will be used to support the salaries of the Distinguished Fellow, as well as Postdoctoral Fellows, Research Assistants and PhD Scholarships, along with research costs.

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 Dame Quentin Bryce, former Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia.

Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan and my parliamentary colleagues.

Director of the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, Professor Kathryn North.

Professor North is an absolute champion for innovation in Australian medical research – and for young people.

ANTHONY ALBANESE, PRIME MINISTER: Good morning. It’s great to be here with Minister Bowen who will shortly give our usual Saturday weekly fuel update on Australia’s Minimum Stockholding Obligation for Fuel. Australia remains steady at Level Two in our National Fuel Security Plan, ‘Keeping Australia Moving’. It is our goal, of course, to remain at Level Two, as I've said many times, but we do live in a volatile world. The conflict in the Middle East is ongoing, and it is uncertain when it will end.

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.

It’s an absolute pleasure to be here for the re-launch of the Chifley Research Centre.

And there is no better or more important time for the labour movement to have its ideas and interests represented in the national conversation.

Because in 2026, as we have seen, the public debate is not shaped by a handful of trusted media outlets alone.

ALICIA PAYNE, MEMBER FOR CANBERRA: Good morning, everyone. I'm Alicia Payne, the Member for Canberra, and I'm thrilled this morning to be here with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, Treasurer Jim Chalmers, and Housing Minister Clare O’Neil to talk about what we are doing to help more Australians into housing. We've just visited the home of my constituents, Mika and Matt, and I really thank them for hosting us this morning.

RAF EPSTEIN, HOST: Anthony Albanese is the Prime Minister of Australia, at the end of a big week in Australian politics. Good morning.

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

EPSTEIN: Thank you for joining us. If I'm saving for a house deposit by investing in shares, you've just increased my taxes on the deposit I'm trying to build. Is that fair?

The Albanese Labor Government has now helped more than 250,000 Australians buy a home through the 5% Deposit Scheme, helping a new generation of Australians get into home ownership.

This has helped Australians save more than $2.3 billion on Lenders Mortgage Insurance costs and taken years off the time it takes to get into a home. 

I am pleased to announce the Governor-General has appointed Ms Jacqui Curtis PSM as the Australian Public Service Commissioner.

Ms Curtis is a senior leader in the Australian Public Service and brings extensive experience to the role. Ms Curtis is currently the Chief Operating Officer of the Australian Taxation Office, having held the role since 2016. 

She previously held senior roles at the ATO and the former Department of Human Services.

PATRICIA KARVELAS, HOST: The Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese, joins me now. Prime Minister, welcome.

ANTHONY ALBANESE, PRIME MINISTER: Good to be with you, PK. Good to see you in Canberra.

KARVELAS: I love this place. You know that. People have accused you of being too careful, risk averse – is this the biggest gamble and risk you've taken as Prime Minister, this budget?