Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will host leaders of ASEAN and Timor-Leste for the ASEAN-Australia Special Summit in Melbourne from 4-6 March. 2024 marks 50 years since Australia became ASEAN’s first external partner.

Australia has strong and far-reaching ties with the region. We are connected by families, friends, education and business.

As a bloc, ASEAN is Australia’s second largest two-way trading partner. More than one million Australians have Southeast Asian heritage.

All of our hearts in the Labor family are broken at the passing of Senator Linda White.

Linda was formidable. A beloved friend, a valued colleague, a dedicated parliamentarian and, through all her efforts in the wider labour movement, a devout supporter of working Australians.

Linda made a difference.

Labor’s tax cuts passed through Parliament this week. Tax cuts built on the unwavering spirit of fairness that is shared by the Australian Labor Party and the Maritime Union of Australia. The fairness on which we can build a better future.

We’re giving all of Australia’s 13.6 million taxpayers a tax cut because we support the aspirations of every Australian.

We’re helping you earn more and keep more of what you earn – and that will make a real difference to households right across Australia.

ANTHONY ALBANESE, PRIME MINISTER OF AUSTRALIA: A very warm welcome to President Marcos to Canberra. My visit to Manila last September was an important one for the future of our relationship. Australia sees the Philippines as a central player and a crucial partner for us in Southeast Asia. So, it's great to welcome you here today on your first official visit to Australia as President of the Philippines, and it was a special honour to host you for your historic address to Parliament.

Prime Minister Albanese and President of the Republic of the Philippines HE Ferdinand R Marcos Jnr reaffirmed the strong relationship Australia and the Philippines share during the President’s first official visit to Australia this week.

President Marcos’ address to a joint sitting of the Australian Parliament highlighted the close cooperation between Australia and the Philippines under our upgraded Strategic Partnership, signed by Leaders last year, and our shared commitment to an open, resilient and prosperous region.

President Marcos, on behalf of the Australian Government and the Australian people, it is my very great pleasure to welcome you and the First Lady to our Parliament.

This is an historic occasion for both our democracies.

It is also the natural next step in our nations’ growing partnership. 

The bilateral relationship between Australia and the Philippines is now 78 years old. 

Our ties of trade and culture, friendship and family are centuries older.

Labor’s cost-of-living tax cuts have passed the parliament, ensuring every West Australian taxpayer will get a tax cut.

When I became Prime Minister, I promised to visit Western Australia 10 times a year. Last week I made my 18th visit to your state.

I also promised to bring Federal Cabinet to WA twice. As of last week, Cabinet has been three times – twice to Perth and once to Port Hedland.

From my first day as Labor leader in 2019, WA was at the heart of our vision for the future.

KARL STEFANOVIC, HOST: The Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese is celebrating what he's calling a huge win this morning, with stage three tax cuts passing the Parliament overnight, we'll see 13 million Australians get more tax relief from July 1.

SARAH ABO, HOST: And the PM joins us live now from Canberra. Prime Minister, good morning to you. A good result in the Senate for you.

ANTHONY ALBANESE, PRIME MINISTER: Good morning.

ABO: How is it that that hasn't translated to the polls? Why aren't they better?

MICHAEL ROWLAND, HOST: The Federal Government's reworked stage three tax cuts sailed through the Senate last week. Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese, joins us now from Canberra. PM, very good morning to you.

ANTHONY ALBANESE, PRIME MINISTER: Good morning, Michael. It's a beautiful day here.

MATT SHIRVINGTON, HOST: Let's go to Canberra now. And Labor has had a huge win overnight with its reworked stage 3 tax cuts sailing through the Senate after the Coalition waved it through.

NATALIE BARR, HOST: The passing of the bill is being hailed as a win for every single taxpayer. And Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese, joins us now live. Good morning to you, Prime Minister. We will get to tax cuts in a minute.

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