PETER MITCHELL, HOST: Happy Easter, Prime Minister. And welcome to the Victorian institution that is the Royal Children's Hospital Good Friday Appeal. We believe you have some very important news for us today.
The Australian Government has been notified that, from 29 March 2024, China will remove its duties on Australian bottled wine.
We welcome this outcome, which comes at a critical time for the Australian wine industry.
The re-entry of Australian bottled wine into the Chinese market will benefit both Australian producers and Chinese consumers.
This outcome affirms the calm and consistent approach taken by the Albanese Labor Government and follows the success of the similar approach taken to remove duties on Australian barley.
TANYA WILKS, HOST: It's popped already, a little story pre-empting the fact that our Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese, is heading to the former coal fired Liddell power station site right here in the Hunter to make an announcement about our nation's solar panel industry and he's with us now. Good morning, PM.
ANTHONY ALBANESE, PRIME MINISTER: Good morning. Good to be with you again.
WILKS: You too. What time will you be there?
DAN REPACHOLI, MEMBER FOR HUNTER: Welcome everyone to the mighty Hunter Valley. Can I start by acknowledging the traditional owners on the land on which we meet today, the Wonnarua people, and pay respects to their Elders past, present and emerging. The Hunter Valley has been a powerhouse for New South Wales for the last century in energy and export market. We will continue to be that for centuries to come, there's no doubt about that. We're here today to talk about jobs, jobs and jobs.
Happy Easter Australia.
Easter is a time of hope and renewal.
For Christians here and across the world, it’s a moment to reflect on the resurrection.
Celebrations and services across the country remind us of the importance of forgiveness, grace and kindness to those in need.
Qualities that are so much a part of the compassion and virtue of this, the greatest country on earth.
And as many of us take this chance to catch-up with family and friends, we think of everyone working through the long weekend. Thank you for what you do.
RICHARD KING, HOST: Good morning, Prime Minister.
ANTHONY ALBANESE, PRIME MINISTER: Good morning, good to be with you. And indeed, it's a great story, the Rabbitohs. What I always say is that our team is named after a worker, not an animal.
KING: Yes indeed, a Rabbitoh. And good luck tomorrow night. It's the early game, isn't it? Tomorrow you take on the Bulldogs, the Rabbitohs.
ANTHONY ALBANESE, PRIME MINISTER: I thank everyone very much, for the very warm welcome here at Brokenwood. This is a very famous winery, not just here in the Hunter Valley, but right around Australia and right around the world. When people look at our products, what they look at is the best in the world. And the Hunter here is about to celebrate 200 years, in four years’ time, so 196 not out. And we're going to help the hit to the boundary to get that double century in style with the resumption of trade with China.
The Albanese Government’s $1 billion investment in the Solar Sunshot program will supercharge Australia’s ambition to become a renewable energy super power at home and abroad.
The significant new commitment follows today’s introduction of legislation establishing the Net Zero Economy Authority to help catalyse investment in a clean energy future made in Australia’s regions.
Solar SunShot will help Australia capture more of the global solar manufacturing supply chain through support, including production subsidies and grants.
The global shift to net zero emissions is Australia’s opportunity to become a renewable energy superpower.
That is why today the Albanese Government has introduced legislation to establish the Net Zero Economy Authority to ensure Australian workers and regions realise and share the benefits of the net zero economy.
The Government is also announcing $189.3 million over four years from 2023-24 (and $53.3 million per year ongoing) in resourcing for the Authority.
The Northern Territory is a big place with even bigger potential and our Labor Government is proud to be investing in its people.
Our Cabinet met in Darwin last week to focus on delivering a better future for all Territorians: building more homes, investing in better schools and creating good jobs.
Taking Cabinet out of Canberra and around the nation reflects my determination to lead a Government for all Australians. It’s also a practical way of listening to locals and consulting with communities, to drive better decisions and better results.